Food
Three nutritious and balanced meals per day, NHS Startwell accredited menus, freshly prepared by on-site chef, a range of snacks and drinks. Consumables like nappies, wipes, and sun cream are also included in the Busy Bees One package.
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Canterbury
Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2023)
Number of places
80 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2023
Local authority
Kent
About this day nursery
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Canterbury offers a nurturing early learning environment focused on developing each child's potential. They provide care for children from 0-5 years, offering a curriculum rooted in their proprietary 'Bee Curious' approach, which promotes inquiry-based learning and critical thinking.
The nursery prides itself on its NHS Startwell accredited menus, providing nutritious meals prepared on-site by trained chefs, ensuring children receive well-balanced diets and develop healthy eating habits. They also offer flexible funding options, including stretched funded hours to accommodate various family needs.
The emphasis is on creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where children can grow socially, emotionally, and cognitively, with a dedicated team committed to fostering curiosity and independence. Located in Canterbury, the nursery aims to be a valuable resource for local families seeking high-quality childcare and early education.
Our ethos
The Busy Bees ethos is to foster curiosity and independence in children. They believe mealtimes are key learning moments, helping children develop confidence in exploring new tastes, handling food, and using cutlery, which are essential skills for school readiness. Their diverse menus and engaging routines encourage independence, social skills, and adventurous eating habits within a supportive and inclusive environment. The 'Bee Curious' approach emphasises inquiry-based exploration and critical thinking.
What it's like
Children and their families are warmly welcomed. Staff support them well, for example, by liaising with children's centre staff to ensure families access support where needed. All children make good progress and benefit from a well-planned curriculum based on their needs and interests.
NHS accredited mealsProprietary Bee Curious curriculumFlexible funding options
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-oldsTax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Canterbury
Last inspected 10 October 2023 · Victoria Salisbury
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Children and their families are warmly welcomed. Staff support them well, for example, by liaising with children's centre staff to ensure families access support where needed. All children make good progress and benefit from a well-planned curriculum based on their needs and interests.
Inspector highlights
- Children benefit from staff who know them well and share information regularly, working closely with parents to support emotional well-being.
- Staff are positive role models who praise and encourage children, celebrating successes and promoting self-esteem.
- Partnerships with parents are effective, with parents reporting good progress in communication, social, and independence skills, and appreciating the support received.
- Leaders and managers are passionate and committed, ensuring staff are well-trained, supported, and have ambitious plans for the future, including investing in the outdoor area.
- Staff have developed effective partnerships with agencies like early help and health visitors to support children and families, using funding effectively for resources.
Areas to develop
- 1review and improve daily routines so that children do not wait for long periods unnecessarily, including at lunchtime.
Inspection #10312774 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents say that their children have made good progress in their communication, social and independence skills.
They appreciate the support they receive as parents.
They say that the staff are kind and caring and that they could not do without them.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. For example, staff model good use of language when playing alongside children, extending words and vocabulary, leading to children who started with few words becoming confident communicators.
Outdoor space
Children use bikes with care, reading safety posters first and being careful to ride safely around the garden. Leaders and managers have ambitious plans for the future, intending to invest in the outdoor area to support children's wider experiences.
Parent Reviews of Busy Bees Day Nursery at Canterbury
4.7
(14)
Narmin Narmin
9 months ago
I would like to thank Busy Bess Canterbury for their professional and caring approach with the children. My child used to be shy and didn’t easily interact with other kids, but I noticed a big difference after he joined the preschool. Now, he looks forward to going every day and enjoys making new friends. I also appreciate that one of the most important aspects is how the staff takes the time to share feedback after each session about the child’s activities and overall day.
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amanda Mcdonnell
4 years ago
My boys love going to nursery at busybees nursery. All the staff are lovely caring fun and helpful. The boys always come out happy and they have built a fantastic bond with all staff and there personal teachers
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Charlene Williamson
2 years ago
The staff are wonderful and both my children love being there. The meals are a bit samey although fresh and healthy. The price is at the top end of the scale which is the only real negative.
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black metal153
11 months ago
They are terrible, they let children in when they are ill and they keep having staffing issues and not letting my child have their hours. This issue has been going on for months and months
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Brendon Mcdonald
2 years ago
Highly Recommend Busy Bees Nursery Canterbury as a safe and nurturing environment for your child development and care
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Canterbury. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: July 2013
- October 2023Good
- August 2019Good
- July 2013Outstanding
Frequently asked about Busy Bees Day Nursery at Canterbury
About the setting
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Canterbury registered in 2006. It runs on the site of the Riverside Children's Centre in Canterbury, Kent. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays. There are 22 members of staff, of whom 12 have early years qualifications. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.
- URN
- EY333589
- Registered person
- Busy Bees Nurseries Limited
- Day care type
- Full day care
- Register
- Early Years Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
- Previous rating
- Good
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