Busy Bees Bedford

Manton Lane, Bedford MK41 7NU
Review Us
8.4 39 Reviews
  • Busy Bees Bedford, Bedford
Busy Bees Bedford has wonderful learning environments that are organised to inspire the imagination, new abilities and interests. There is also a wooden adventure garden and a biometric system for secure entry.

A key person system is in place which keeps up-to-date with individual progress and focuses on building strong relationships with both children and parents.

There are a number of extra-curricular activities available alongside key early years skills, while all staff are trained extensively in matters of health, safety and security.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Zoe Dickens (Centre Director)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 25

Total Places for Children

  • 100

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays

Busy Bees Bedford Reviews (39)

8.4

Busy Bees Bedford has a Review Score of 8.4 (8.383) out of 10, based on 5 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Busy Bees Bedford has 39 reviews.

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Review from T H (Mother of Child) published on 29 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My experience with Busy Bees has been nothing short of amazing. They are so helpful, accommodating and amazing with my son. He has learnt so much and is so comfortable with all the staff. I would highly reccommend.
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Review from J J (Father of Child) published on 21 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My daughter is going to Busy Bees Nursery at Manton Lane since April 2025. Initially we were worried about how little one get adjust & in nursery, but she settled in nicely quite fast. I believe she now love nursery and enjoy everytime there. Staffs in nursery especialy in the moon room are amazing.
They took very good care of her and be whatever in all she needs. We are very thankful for all they have done to our little one.
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Review from Josie P (Mother of Child) published on 21 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My son has settled well, I get regular updates and he is happy at busy bees.
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Review from Caroline A (Mother of Child) published on 21 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have been apart of the Busy Bee family for 2 years now and we have both boys here as we love the care and support they provide.
The moon room are fun and support my child with development & confidence and the change we have seen make us proud. We love that they have become part of our parenting
family.
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Review from Jemima T (Mother of Child) published on 21 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The moon room team are fantastic, kind, caring, patient and playful. I have loads of confidence in the whole team and I trust them 100% with my baby
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Review from Sarah F (Mother of Child) published on 15 June 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter started at Busy Bees after an international move which brought us to Bedford. She was very shaken by the move and the staff at Busy Bees were wonderful with her, she settled within a few weeks and absolutely loves her days at nursery. Her key worker is fun and loving and my daughter talks
about her lots at home. Three other staff members, in particular, are also so great with my daughter and the manager has always been very helpful and really accommodating of any changes we have made. The app is great and keeps us up to date with what she has eaten and how she has slept. I have never had a single concern at this nursery about her care, she always comes home clean (well as clean as any 2.5-year-old can be) fed and happy and any toilet accidents she has had, she has been helped with. There is a great outdoor area as well for outside time and the meals are balanced. The fees are standard for the area. Highly recommend.
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Review from Auguste F (Mother of Child) published on 15 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
When I was looking for a nursery for my son, three years ago, I took an instant like to Busy Bees (Manton Lane), when I visited it and we have loved the nursery ever since. All the staff have been amazing and we really got to know everyone over the last three years (even with the pandemic!). Our son
feels like he is at home there. He's made so many friends and he loves his nursery nurses too. I don't think he's ever had a bad day there! We will be sad to leave this amazing place (relocating), because no other nursery compares to this one!
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Review from L R (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending the nursery for two weeks now and I am very pleased. The staff are great with my son, who seems extremely happy, and they are very good at updating the app. His key worker is so friendly, supportive and very attentive. I feel very content knowing that he is in great hands.
Thank you all for showing my son kindness. Much more organised, and it's nice to see staff with experience.
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Review from A G (Mother of Child) published on 6 September 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
As always fab service provided by the staff. Always encourage learning and development as well as there to support when a child is upset or in need of cuddles. Our daughter loves attending and continues to role play at home with the staff (she has telephone conversations on her mobile at home) I also
really appreciate the varied and nutritious meals served, encouraging new tastes and textures. I would like more photo's on the app though as I love seeing what they do.
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Review from C K (Mother of Child) published on 6 September 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My son is so happy, he waits at the front door every morning and sings all the way in. We are still going through potty training and having help during school time, whilst the progress is slow it's helping no end. My son is so happy when I collect him and he talks about the day and what he's done. He
mentions his key people even during the weekend. We are so happy that he's settled in and is clearly very happy.
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Review from S O (Mother of Child) published on 6 September 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All my 4 children have gone to Busy Bees here in Bedford. They have been very well cared for, looked after and the manager and her team have become family. The boys have always had fun and talked about their friends and the activities they have done. My youngest is now leaving preschool truly ready
for his next adventure at reception in school. One of the proudest things my child has achieved is his ability to recognise and write his name! Thank you for all the best childcare for 15 years.
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Review from A G (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I'm extremely pleased with the care my daughter has received to date. The staff always take such good care of her and it shows in the way she is always happy when I drop her off and collect her. She has learnt so much in the short time she has been there and they are always encouraging her, which is
great.
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Review from Chris R (Father of Child) published on 3 April 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have two children currently with the nursery, one in preschool and one in babies. Both absolutely love the place. The best part is the team, everyone is really friendly and knowledgeable and clearly enjoy working with children. The nursery is kept very clean and the garden is fantastic. The nursery
also did a brilliant job with the current pandemic.
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Review from C B (Mother of Child) published on 29 March 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started in January and was 14 months old, he does 3 days a week and seems to have settled in really well. It wasn't long before we had no tears in the mornings and he would reach out for his key worker. Updates through the app are amazing! You know what your little one is up to, what they've
eaten if they've napped etc, along with pictures! I would recommend Busy Bees, Bedford.
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Review from Elizabeth T (Mother of Child) published on 25 March 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Due to Covid restrictions, it is hard to know details of issues such as cleanliness, recourse, etc, but I do know my daughter is happy at Busy Bees. She comes out happy and singing, she likes her food, has her nappy changed regularly, and I get lots of lovely photos from her day. The staff are welcoming,
and her room workers seem to have a good report with her. If anyone asked me, I would recommend the nursery to other parents.
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Review from L D (Mother of Child) published on 11 March 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have seen a big difference in our child since he started nursery, he loves attending and often wants to of back in once we collect him. He is more confident in starting to speak sharing when playing and socialising with other children. All the staff have been extremely polite and friendly. We also
love all the updates we receive on the parent zone app. Thank you so much.
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Review from Rachel C (Mother of Child) published on 14 October 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My child has always been happy to attend this nursery. Any concerns have been dealt with in a helpful and supportive manner by staff. My only concern would be mistakes with invoicing that do continue to happen.
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Review from L K (Mother of Child) published on 14 October 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The team at Manton Lane are brilliant, friendly, knowledgeable and always very welcoming. We currently have our 2nd child attending, so have got to know them all very well. The low staff turnover speaks volumes for this setting. The facilities are well maintained and the garden/outdoor space is perfect.
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Review from Natalie S (Mother of Child) published on 8 October 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bees Manton Lane has been paramount in the development of our child. He has grown in confidence and they have helped improve his eating, especially the trying of new food. They have tailored the learning to the interest of the children and my son comes home excited to tell us about his day. The
staff are helpful and friendly making it the perfect environment to drop off and leave your child. Thank you for it all.
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Review from Gemma M (Mother of Child) published on 5 October 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery is really lovely. My niece went here so when it came to looking for our boy, we knew he would be well looked after. It comes in really handy that I also work next door.
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Current Review Score: 8.4 (8.383)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.4 (8.383) out of 10 for Busy Bees Bedford is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 5 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.8 out of 5 from 5 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.633 for Busy Bees Bedford is calculated as follows: ( (38 Excellents x 5) + (22 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 60 Ratings = 4.633
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 3.75 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Busy Bees Bedford is based on 5 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 = 3.5
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 100 number of registered child places is 20. 5 Positive Reviews ÷ 20 = 0.25
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

Meet the Team (1)

Zoe

Zoe Dickens

Job Title: Centre Director

Hello my name is Zoe and I have been working in childcare since qualifying in 1994! I have worked here at  Busy Bees since 2003 firstly as a Assistant Centre Director and I then was promoted to Centre Director. My role means I am lucky to manage a longstanding staff team of 33 staff who all bring their unique qualities to the job, some of our staff have been here since the nursery opened!


The best part of my job is meeting new children and parents and supporting them with their transition into nursery. I love to see the children learn, grow and develop into happy confident independent little people ready for school. 


Working for Busy Bees gives me great opportunities to attend some valuable training which means I am trained in safeguarding children,first aid, behaviour management and SENCO to name a few.


I am also the mum of an 6 year old little boy who attended the nursery and I understand that as parents we want our children to receive the best childcare, I always strive to ensure that is what we do each day at Manton Lane.


I would love to show you around our wonderful nursery!

Frequently Asked Questions about Busy Bees Bedford

What is the Age Range of Children that Busy Bees Bedford accepts?

Busy Bees Bedford accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Busy Bees Bedford Open?

Busy Bees Bedford is open: Monday 07:30-18:00, Tuesday 07:30-18:00, Wednesday 07:30-18:00, Thursday 07:30-18:00, Friday 07:30-18:00.

How many Children does Busy Bees Bedford have capacity for?

Busy Bees Bedford has capacity for a total of 100 Children.

How far is Busy Bees Bedford to the centre of Bedford?

1.0 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Busy Bees Bedford to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Busy Bees Bedford has an Enhanced Service - more info.