Food
Three nutritious and balanced meals per day, a range of snacks and drinks, freshly prepared by on-site chef. NHS Startwell accredited menus are provided. Unlimited nappies, wipes, and sun cream included in the Busy Bees One package.
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Gravesend
Ofsted: Expected standard·
4.6(20 parent reviews)
·Windsor Road, Gravesend, DA12 5BW · Kent
Number of places
132 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2026
Local authority
Kent
About this day nursery
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Gravesend registered in 2005 and is located in Gravesend, Kent. It is a full day care setting on non-domestic premises, catering to children aged 0-4 years.
The nursery operates all year round, from 7 am to 6 pm on weekdays. The dedicated staff, which includes 21 members holding recognised early years qualifications, ensures a nurturing environment.
The strong management team, with a secure knowledge of staff and provision quality, carefully considered the support during the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining contact with families and welcoming new children. This vigilant approach, combined with close links with parents and open communication, helps children to seamlessly settle in and thrive.
Children are confident and relaxed at nursery, with staff knowing their individual likes and dislikes, and parents informed about their child's learning via regular discussions and electronic communication. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support, with staff precisely assessing learning and development needs and the manager actively seeking appropriate support from local authority professionals.
The nursery receives funding for free early education for two, three and four-year-olds and has a total of 132 places, with 237 children currently on roll.
What it's like
Children are confident and relaxed at nursery. Staff get to know children very well and know their individual likes and dislikes. They have close links with parents to learn how to support children's care effectively.
Good overall effectivenessStrong management teamConfident childrenGood hygiene practiceEffective transitions
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
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
Opening hours
7am to 6pm, all year round
Term time / All Year
All_year
Established
2005
Ofsted Inspection — new report card
Expected standard
Last inspected Apr 2026
Grade summary
Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—
Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.
Category grades
AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
0 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Gravesend
Last inspected 29 April 2026
What it's like to attend
Children are confident and relaxed at nursery. Staff get to know children very well and know their individual likes and dislikes. They have close links with parents to learn how to support children's care effectively.
Inspector highlights
- The strong management team has a secure knowledge of the staff and quality of the provision.
- Children have an eagerness to take part in activities and have good attitudes towards learning.
- The promotion of good hygiene practice is consistent across the nursery.
- Staff inform parents about children's learning extremely well.
- Communication and language development are supported well throughout the nursery.
Areas to develop
- 1Extend child-led play opportunities further for children to embed and test out their skills to consolidate their knowledge.
- 2Develop the sequencing of the curriculum further between rooms to give children more consistent learning opportunities to support their development from the very start.
Inspection #10228396 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support to meet their needs. Staff precisely assess children's learning and are aware of their development needs. The manager is vigilant in seeking the appropriate support for children. For example, she works well with the local authority professionals.
Outdoor space
The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.
Parent Reviews of Busy Bees Day Nursery at Gravesend
4.6
(20)
Francesca Hibbert
6 months ago
We love it here! My child has the best time with his friends, and eats like a king! His learning has really improved since starting over a year ago, and is so confident with his talking now. The staff are brilliant, and always so positive!
Read on Google
Sumeeta M
a year ago
An amazing nursery, with caring and attentive staff members. My son has been here since the age of 1 and I can honestly say that all the staff we’ve come across throughout the years (past and present) have been such caring, loving and professional individuals. My son loves attending pre school here and is thriving in this environment. Communication is fab through the app and at the end of the day staff members take time to go through my little one’s day. Today he had his pre school booster injections, so I mentioned to Nina ( pre school room manager) when my son returned back to the nursery Nina made him feel so brave, gave him stickers and prize so being a brave boy. How thoughtful! Thank you Nina and all the amazing team!!
Read on Google
Laura Biddle
a year ago
The staff that work at the nursery are all so friendly and welcoming to our children. The care they provide is outstanding. Both of our children love coming each day and i feel the activities and opportunities provide are of a high standard. The nursery is well run and commincation to us parents is very very good. Id like to mention a few members of staff who have shone out as going above and beyond with the care they provide to our little ones. A massive thank you to Hetty & Katie in the baby room who have helped settle our littlest into nursery life so well and to Amy, Kleo, Charlotte and Chantelle who make our toddlers day full of fun. Also a big thank you to Ana, Davina and Ellis who have also provided him with amazing care in his time at busy bees. All the staff are wonderful.
Read on Google
Hettie S
4 years ago
My daughter loves the Busy Bees nursery. She’s always so eager to go in and has a great time. She has flourished from a shy and timid toddler to a bright, chatty young girl. The staff are amazing and keep you updated with the childs progress. They also keep you in the loop with development and activities you can do with the child. Amazing nursery with amazing staff
Read on Google
Mirela Zlatanova
3 years ago
The nursery is well managed and my boy was very happy to attend. He made friends, learned lots of games and gained new skills for life. Nina from Buzz 2 group impressed us most, I can only hope that my boy will meet such heartfelt and dedicated educator again in his life.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Gravesend. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: January 2010
The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Good). We're re-checking it against the original report.
- January 2023Good
- December 2022Good
- February 2017Good
- February 2017Good
- May 2013Good
- April 2013Good
- February 2010Good
- January 2010Good
Frequently asked about Busy Bees Day Nursery at Gravesend
About the setting
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Gravesend registered in 2005 and is located in Gravesend, Kent. The nursery is open each weekday from 7am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 31 members of staff who work with children. Of these, 21 members of staff hold recognised early years qualifications.
- URN
- EY307278
- Registered person
- Busy Bees Nurseries Limited
- Day care type
- Full day care
- Register
- Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
- Previous rating
- Good
Nearby day nurseries in Gravesend
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Busy Bees Day Nursery at Gravesend.
-
0.8 miOfsted rating unavailable
Loveland Daycare
Northfleet · DA11 7RU
3.9(7 reviews) -
1.2 miOfsted: Good
The Rainbow Tree Day Nursery
Gravesend · DA12 1JQ
4.6(11 reviews) -
1.2 miAwaiting first inspection
Play Pavilion Pre School
Gravesend · DA12 2TL
5.0(5 reviews) -
1.3 miOfsted: Good
Almond Bud Day Nursery
Gravesend · DA12 1BA
4.3(17 reviews) -
1.3 miOfsted: Good
Kids Inc Day Nursery
Gravesend · DA12 2HU
4.4(33 reviews) -
1.3 miOfsted: Good
Bronte Nursery
Gravesend · DA11 0HU
4.7(24 reviews)
Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.
Claim listingShare this nursery
Send to a partner, friend or family member.
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