The Bumblebee Room

The Bumblebee Room is a well-proportioned, light, and inviting space that can comfortably accommodate up to 15 children. The generous wall space is used to celebrate the children’s creativity, displaying their artwork in an attractive and engaging way.

In this room, children begin their journey through the Early Level of the Curriculum for Excellence, which they will continue to follow until the end of Primary 1, before transitioning to the First Level. Staff actively support and extend children’s learning by providing a wide range of stimulating, interactive activities and resources that reflect the individual interests of the children.

Using a workshop approach, the room is thoughtfully arranged to encourage exploration both indoors and out. Key areas include:

• Sand, water, and playdough stations
• Messy and creative area
• Interactive BenQ board
• Quiet story corner
• Construction area
• Puzzles, games, and loose parts play
• Drawing table
• Role play and small world imaginative play opportunities

Staff observe and interact with the children during their play, carefully assessing their development across the different areas of the Early Level.

Outdoor learning is a key part of the Bumblebee Room experience. Children spend significant time exploring the garden, the local community, and nearby woods. They are encouraged to value, respect, and take care of their environment, helping to develop a strong sense of responsibility and connection to the world around them.

The staff share a clear vision, with well-defined roles and responsibilities. Every child is valued as an individual and provided with a coherent curriculum and a broad range of experiences. Children are supported both individually and as part of a group. Through these experiences, staff observe the children closely, identify next steps in their learning, and record and assess the quality of their progress.

Responsive and ‘In the moment’ planning identifies the children’s interests and needs and uses these to enable the children to learn and develop in the setting. Staff observe the children and get to know them which allows them to capture the children’s interests and follow their lead. They develop their skills with a continuous focus on learning. Staff are resourceful and find and find inventive ways to overcome any barriers to learning. They often work in collaboration with other agencies, like Speech and Language Therapists or Health Visitors, in order to offer the best possible care for the children.

Responsive and ‘In the Moment’ Planning involves identifying children’s interests and needs to support their learning and development within the setting. Practitioners observe and build strong relationships with the children, enabling them to capture emerging interests and follow the children’s lead. This approach maintains a continuous focus on learning through play and exploration. Staff are resourceful and creative, often finding innovative ways to overcome barriers to learning. They also work collaboratively with other professionals—such as Speech and Language Therapists or Health Visitors—to ensure children receive the highest quality of care and support.