Busy Bees Kindergarten CIC
Unlocking Curiosity
About Us
Since moving into our purpose built setting in 2010, we’ve focused on supporting children throughout their time at Busy Bees. All activities are designed to adequately nurture the emotional and intellectual growth of the children at our setting. We create this through stimulating environments that allow children to explore and create while being supported by dedicated early years educators. We believe all children should have the opportunity to develop their bright young minds and focus our learning through play and exploration.
We originally started as a Pre-school based in two classrooms within Highfields primary school. As we grew in size we knew we needed to look at a larger premises and we began the journey to opening as a Kindergarten offering wrap around childcare. In September 2010 we opened our purpose built setting and were able to begin offering childcare from 3months old. We have continued to grow and have added a successful after school club - Bees after school.
At Busy Bees we believe it’s important that as a setting and early years educators we continuously strive to develop our nursery and be the very best we can be for the children attending our setting.
Our ethos is a home from home setting that is child-led. We have created a homely and inviting environment that allows all children as well as our Tribe to explore and learn. As a setting we offer open ended play, created with loose parts and treasures. Our holistic ethos uses a mixture of well known theorists and pedagogy that has created a truly curious setting.
Opening Hours
Book a visit
Mon-Friday: 7.30am - 5.30pm 38 weeks a year
Or
Mon-Friday: 7.30am-5.30pm 44 weeks a year
After school club 3-5.30pm
Sessions available for our over 2s. School days available throughout the setting with the ability to add hours to suit your individual needs.
Word on the Street
Both my girls have really enjoyed busy bees... my youngest daughter is there at the moment and absolutely loves it. The staff are so friendly.
Parents review
Amazing setting. My son has thoroughly enjoyed his 2 years here. The staff and management have been great, he’s developed so well here and is more than ready for school. The link with Highfields is amazing as are the hot dinners they serve at lunchtimes. My son has multiple food allergies and the support and catering has been fantastic. Thankyou and we will miss you.
Parent review
My son has not long turned 2 and started busy bees 3 weeks ago. I have never felt more safe leaving my son. Fantastic place and lovely people.
Parent review
Girls are all fab! Very good with my little one! Had no problems! Wouldn't take him anywhere else! always get updates and also advice from the girls which is well needed being a first time mum! Feels like home to home!
Parent review
Busy Bees Kindergarten CIC Team
Caring & Dedicated
At Busy Bees Kindergarten CIC, we hire passionate, dedicated and caring educators who are committed to making a difference in children’s lives. Take a look below to learn more about our team, and reach out with any questions.
Michelle kimble
Manager and Proprietor
Having worked in early years for just over 20 years Michelle entered the world of managing and owning her own setting in 2017. Before this she worked as the settings Deputy manager and Director. Michelle is still very much hands on with the children and developing the setting. She’s not one to miss out on an opportunity to get stuck in to the day and spend time within all the rooms.
“I’ve been in every position Early years has to offer since leaving school and starting my training. Having my own children only grew my passion for providing children with the very best start in life. This means that I’m able to be understanding and compassionate not only with staff as I’ve been in their position, but also towards parents. Leaving our children is one of the hardest things we do, and something that involves a lot of trust. Having empathy is an important part of our role and something we strive to provide alongside all the amazing opportunities on offer for the children attending with us.”
Sarah Hamlyn
Co-manager
Sarah also began her journey in Early years after leaving school. With more than 15 years experience Sarah joined the Busy Bees team over 9 years ago and lead the baby room. After some time with us Sarah stepped up to a Deputy managers position before becoming a co-manager in late 2020.
Sarah is known for her sparkly personality. The children attending cannot help but gravitate to her.
Kelly Van Eyk
Deputy manager
Kelly has been in childcare since leaving school and has a real passion for creating exciting and new environments. She’s known for her crazy and quirky personality, as well as the fun she brings to the team. Kelly has worked in many positions within the setting and throughout Early years before becoming the settings Deputy manager in late 2020. Kelly has enjoyed embracing all things child-led and always strives to provide all children with the best possible start.
Siobhan Dair
4th in charge/co-deputy
Siobhan has been a part of the Busy Bees team for many years and has a wealth of Early years experience, with most of her more recent years being spent within our 0-2 rooms. Siobhan has a real passion for creating exciting spaces for the children within our setting and is also in charge of Enco on site. This means she’s always looking for exciting ideas for our children!
Harnessing Creativity
Over the years we’ve spent with children at our setting we have always offered a home feel setting. We believe children learn best when they are comfortable and happy and providing a setting that encompasses a feeling of being at home on a larger scale works beautifully.
Offering a dedicated key-person system means we are able to adapt each child’s journey with us to their needs. Our early years educators strive to provide a warm and happy environment for the children attending while helping to develop their understanding of the world around them.
Curiosity is key to each child’s development and at Busy Bees we are working towards a setting that encourages open ended play through natural and home resources.
Outdoor Play
Nature is the best playground
We’ve been busy developing our two outside areas over the years and we have so many more ideas! Our outside space is used all year round and used for a continuation of our open ended play. Our big building and construction area is always a favourite, as well as our designated Mud kitchen area!
Music and movement
Music feeds the soul
We’re very lucky at the setting to have Miss Georgia who is not only an early years educator but also a dance teacher at Boogie Shoes Dance Academy!
Georgia provides some lovely music and movement activities from our smallest children to our eldest there is something suitable for them all.
Check out the local classes she provides for children aged from 18 months.
Imaginative Play
Be creative and curious
Imaginative play is a key part of what we offer at Busy Bees. Extending a child’s desire to learn from their surroundings is in our opinion the best way of developing their learning.
We have an open ended play setting with so many learning experiences and the opportunities for imaginative and curious play are at the heart of what we offer.
Our rising 5s The Dragonflies
Creating confident preschooler's
At Busy Bees we have a separate pre-school room designated to just the cohort going to school the next coming year..
We feel this offers the children the best possible opportunity to be school ready and most importantly make Key friendships. A child who is happy and content will learn. We focus the children a little more in this room while still presenting them with open ended play. We have the opportunity to have a PE class at Highfields school once a week and introduce the children to our school ready activities, such as group times, dressing and undressing, being toilet ready and so much more.
It’s a large bright room with a toilet area incorporated and direct access to our large outside area. This room is lead by Georgia who not only brings several years experience in childcare but her dancing and show background to the room. Georgia is well known for her ability to engage the children in dancing activities and organising some lovely performances from our rising 5s!
Our 2-3 room The Butterflies
Enabling environments
Our Butterfly room is a large and bright space with direct access to the outside garden. They have a designated toilet and changing area contained within the room and lots of space to explore. The children learn through play and the early years educators play a vital role in developing this age groups understanding of boundaries while encouraging exploring and curiosity to learn. We have a designated room leader called Kelly who has many years experience in childcare and is also the settings Deputy manager, she oversees the daily running of this room and supports the overall development of the nursery. kelly is very well known for her excellent story telling and ability to spark a child’s interest in the world around them.
Our 1.5-2.5 room, The Ladybirds
The littlest feet make the biggest footprints
Our Ladybird room is a lovely bright and self contained room. Direct access to their own designated outside area creates their own beautiful bubble. This allows the children have complete dedication from the experienced staff in this room. They have a small toilet area and kitchen within the room allowing them to work within one room from the beginning of the day to the end. Our room leader comes with many years of childcare experience and has dedicated her time in particular to working with our babies. Paris loves to engage the children in new activities and is often introducing and creating new things for our little ones. Never one to shy away from making mess and creatively exploring with the children she encourages them to develop a keen interest in the world around them.
Story time!
Committed to Creativity!
Over lockdown Kelly spent time recording some very special video stories for children who weren’t able to attend the nursery. These sparked lots of interest from not only the children attending our own setting but we’re shared via social media for many to see! Take a look on our Facebook page for all the videos she created 🐝
Our 0-18month room, Caterpillars
Only children believe they are capable of everything!
Our Caterpillar room is a calm and quiet space, created with exploring in mind! We have an open space to allow for little hands and feet to roll, crawl and take those new steps.
Our room leader Siobhan has worked in childcare for many years, with a wealth of knowledge and a passion for providing the best, Siobhan suits this age group perfectly.
Looking for more information about any of our programs? Get in touch now.
Our mission
Quality Child Care
From language and literacy development to social skills and creative expression, the children at Busy Bees Kindergarten CIC are constantly being exposed to new activities and environments in which to thrive. We build on the strengths and interests of each child to help build a solid foundation where they can develop their futures. An environment that ensures everyone feels at home and welcome, all while being curious and having fun!
Fees, Funding and waiting lists
Our fees are dependent on your needs 🐝
We have a long day rate in each room for our 7.30-5.30pm day. School day sessions between 8.30-3.30pm are available in all rooms. Sessions 8.30-11.30 or 12.30-3.30pm available for children attending our 2-3 and 3-4 room with an hours lunch between 11.30-12.30. Additional hours can be added before 8.30am and after 3.30pm and funded sessions can be used between 8.30-11.30am and 12.30-3.30pm. We accept both 15 and 30 hour funding for 3 year olds.
Additional hours outside of funded sessions for 2 and 3 year olds are chargeable, please contact us for a full price list.
After school club 3-5.30pm is £6 an hour. This includes a snack, drinks and a high tea (after 4.30pm) Please contact us for a quote for the hours you require 🐝
Funding:
We accept 2 and 3 year funding as well as the extended 30 hours funding for applicable 3 year olds. This is applicable between 8.30-11.30am and 12.30-3.30pm. You can access just these hours with no additional costs, or add on hours at an hourly rate.
Please be aware that waiting until your child receives their funding entitlement may leave it too late for there to be available spaces. We always try to accommodate as many children as possible but priority is always given to children already attending the setting and this usually means we are full for September in our Pre-school room. Often our 2-3 room is full by January and very limited availability from our return in September. Unfortunately we cannot hold a space long term due to this.
Waiting lists:
If you’d like to register your interest in attending Busy Bees kindergarten you can register on our waiting list. Unfortunately we can’t hold spaces long term due to demand but we can of course contact you closer to your requested start date and discuss what availability we have. The best way to guarantee a space for your child and avoid disappointment is to start them as soon as possible. With the demand for childcare only increasing we are finding that as a setting we are fully booked for a full year in advance.
Contact Us
If you’d like to have a visit and look around Busy Bees or have any questions please email us or call and we’ll do our best to answer answers questions you have.
The office manager is Claire Fearn who can answer any administrative questions you may have.
The proprietor and Manager Michelle Kimble and Co-Manager Sarah Hamlyn will endeavour to answer any questions you may have in regards to the setting.
Busy Bees Kindergarten, Highfields school, Colchester Rd, Lawford, Manningtree CO11 2BN, UK
01206396291
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