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Bumble Bees Private Day Nursery School

Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2025)
·
5.0(3 Google reviews) ·47 Station Road, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, TN12 6AB · Kent
Number of places
58 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2025
Local authority
Kent

About this day nursery

Bumble Bees Private Day Nursery School is in Tonbridge, Kent, and provides care for children from birth to five years of age. The day nursery operates from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm all year round. It accepts government funding, including schemes for children from nine months old, as well as tax-free childcare. Ofsted inspected the nursery in February 2025 and gave it an overall judgement of 'Good'.

The inspector reported that staff use songs, rhymes, and sign language to develop children's literacy and teach them about oral health. Children are encouraged to care for the natural world through recycling, and 'Bumble Bee' certificates are used to recognise good behaviour. The report notes that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support from staff. To improve, Ofsted recommended enhancing opportunities for children's independence and ensuring all children can take an active part in planned activities.

Our ethos

Bumble Bees Private Day Nursery School places children at the forefront of all decisions, ensuring a supportive atmosphere for individual learning and development. They prioritise fostering meaningful relationships with each child to address their specific needs and interests.

What it's like

Children and their families are at the heart of this happy and family focused setting. The long-standing staff team is highly committed and dedicated to ensuring that they provide high-quality care and education. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from very kind and caring staff who know them incredibly well.

Small Class Sizes (Max 20 Children)Ofsted OutstandingFlexible Funding OptionsForest School

Pricing & funding

The nursery offers full-day sessions from 9 am to 5 pm, operating for a minimum of 44 weeks per year. Fees are billed monthly in advance and exclude extra activities like outings or celebrations. Additional half-hour slots can be booked before or after normal hours, and funded hours can be integrated.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)
  • Full Day 9 am to 5 pm£75 / day
  • Additional 30 minutes before/after normal opening times£7 / session
  • Administrative Fee to secure and process child’s place£25.00
  • Full Day 9 am to 5 pm (8 hours free FF2)£0
  • Full Day 9 am to 5 pm (6 hours free Universal/Extended)£44.04

Good to know

  • An administrative fee is required to secure and process your child’s place.
  • Fees are invoiced monthly in advance and must be settled within 14 days by BACS or Tax-Free Childcare.
  • No refunds are provided for absence due to illness or holiday.
  • Extended holidays of more than two weeks are charged at half price for subsequent weeks.
  • Additional 30-minute sessions before and after standard hours must be booked in advance.
  • Fees exclude outings, celebrations, and entertainment, which are charged additionally.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, with additional 30-minute extensions available before and after these times. Operates for a minimum of 44 weeks annually, closing on bank holidays.

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Bumble Bees Private Day Nursery School

Last inspected 20 February 2025

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children and their families are at the heart of this happy and family focused setting. The long-standing staff team is highly committed and dedicated to ensuring that they provide high-quality care and education. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from very kind and caring staff who know them incredibly well.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are encouraged to behave very well, receiving 'Bumble Bee' certificates for awards.
  • Staff help children learn about good oral health, including how to use timers for brushing teeth.
  • Children benefit from a rich range of activities to develop literacy and language, including rhymes, songs, and sign language.
  • Children benefit from activities that develop their mathematical understanding, such as counting days of the week and months of the year.
  • Staff are passionate about supporting children's knowledge of caring for the natural world, encouraging recycling and sustainable creative resource use.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to identify when they can further enhance opportunities for children to do things for themselves to support their developing independence skills
  • 2strengthen staff's skills in including all children in planned activities and ensuring that everyone can take an active part.
Inspection #10364962 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

parents report that staff go above and beyond to help them and their children.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from very kind and caring staff who know them incredibly well. Staff undertake specific training to accommodate individual needs and use information from parents and other professionals effectively to identify and plan for children's next steps in learning.

Outdoor space

The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.

Google Reviews of Bumble Bees Private Day Nursery School

5.0
(3 Google reviews)
Stacey Lucas
2 years ago

My daughter has been at Bumblebees for a couple of months now and absolutely loves it shes 13months, settled in so quickly and has already formed such loving sweet bonds with her key worker and other staff. Nothing is too much to ask if you’re worried about anything, they advise, support and really have yours and your children’s best interests at heart. I’m over the moon that our daughter goes here and I cannot wait to watch her grow with the confidence she is already gaining and the life skills they are teaching her. Thank you to Angela, Louisa and all other staff that we have been in contact with in drop offs/picks ups.

Read on Google
Gary North
9 years ago

Outstanding children's nursery service

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Bumble Bees Private Day Nursery School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

20 February 2025

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Bumble Bees Private Day Nursery School

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more