Busy Bees Chelmsford

5 The Meads, Chelmsford CM2 0GT
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8.8 55 Reviews
  • Busy Bees Chelmsford, Chelmsford
Busy Bees Chelmsford is situated in the heart of the city, within walking distance of the town, central park and the duck pond.

Set on one level, each room in the nursery offers access to the spacious and secure garden area where children can explore and develop their interest in nature whilst discovering the wide range of activities available. There are endless opportunities for your child to have fun with friends throughout the nursery and challenge themselves by taking safe risks.

The diverse staff team are friendly, welcoming and strive to give all children a great start to their education. The nursery provides an extensive variety of activities to suit every child’s interests. The fantastic team have carefully selected a range of educational resources in line with the Early Years Education Stage (EYFS) curriculum so that your child is ready to take the next steps in their educational journey.

All the nutritious meals are freshly prepared on site using many locally sourced ingredients. The fully qualified chef is skilled in preparing carefully balanced meals which also take account of any dietary requirements your child may have.
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Funding & Fees

Contact Busy Bees Chelmsford to get a personalised quote.

Contact Busy Bees Chelmsford to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Jennie Gregory (Centre Director)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 40

Total Places for Children

  • 99

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 Chelmsford Reviews (55)

8.8

Busy Bees Chelmsford has a Review Score of 8.8 (8.846) out of 10, based on 8 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Busy Bees Chelmsford has 55 reviews.

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Review from A H (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bees have been fabulous with my little girl. Since joining, she has come on leaps and bounds in terms of playing and learning how to interact. As a covid baby, she spent most of her first year only interacting with parents. Being here has given her the confidence she needs to make friends and explore.
She has also discovered her love for the garden. As each room has their own garden area, she loved being out as much as possible, and this branch definitely facilitates this.
A plus factor from the parents perspective is the on-site chef! A dream for busy parents making sure we don't have to faff around with lunchboxes and not worrying about frozen ready meals! Each seasonal menu looks great and my little girl loves all of them!
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Review from Sam M (Father of Child) published on 19 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bees Chelmsford has been brilliant for our little boy who has been attending for the last 18 months. He is now almost three and the interactions, with both staff and other children, he had through lockdowns have been invaluable to his development. The staff and facilities are fantastic and our
boy really enjoys his time there. The learning and how he has developed his confidence have also been great.
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Review from Jonathan R (Father of Child) published on 19 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bees Chelmsford is a great nursery! Our daughter and son both love going there. Everyone is so friendly. The staff are warm and welcoming, and very helpful and informative if we have any questions. The indoor and outdoor facilities are first-rate; the organised activities are well-thought-out and
the nursery’s educational framework has really boosted our children’s learning and development. I can’t recommend Busy Bees Chelmsford highly enough!
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Review from Helen C (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My toddler has been attending Busy Bees since January 2022.
We are very happy with the nursery and staff, this reflects in my son's development and overall behaviour. The nursery were able to recognise that my son required a couple of extra settling in sessions which they happily accommodated and
this was very helpful for both my son and myself - being a mother at the time returning back to work. The staff were very reassuring during this nursery transition period as I had been his full-time carer for the past year.
Also, I have to add, nursery has managed to get my toddler into a really good sleeping and eating routine which we also mirror at home and it makes life easier for everyone!
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Review from S B (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son joined Busy Bees Chelmsford during the pandemic and the support we have received since the moment he joined has been fantastic. The improvement in his language and comprehension can be attributed to the care, attention and educational play he takes part in at nursery. He mastered potty training
really quickly due to the guidance and encouragement that both my son and I received. The team make you feel welcome and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s safe and happy at nursery due to the environment that’s been created and the care, passion and diligence delivered by the staff.
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Review from Laura C (Mother of Child) published on 28 January 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Busy Bees in Chelmsford!
It really is a wonderful nursery. The staff are amazing and the children in their care are their absolute top priority, ensuring that they are receiving everything they need at all times.
My son has been at Busy Bees since 3 months old and
is now in foundation class, and there hasn't been a moment that I have worried about him being in the care of the staff there.
They not only care about teaching our children, but the thing that really stands out for me is that it's like a family and we all are included. They ask about our children and our family and build this into the day, ensuring that they are talking and teaching in a way that really engages the children.
My son comes home smiling and telling me about the fun things that he's learnt that day and all the things that he has done with his friends and staff.
The biggest thank you to all for everything you've done for our son and also our family!
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Review from Caroline O (Mother of Child) published on 28 January 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started Busy Bees in December 2021 and so far we are very pleased with our experience. The staff are warm and welcoming, you can tell they care so much about all the children and it amazes me how they know them all by name regardless of the room they are in/support.
I like the app and my son's
Keyworker is great at updating it throughout the day so I know how he is doing and love seeing pictures of him playing and looking happy. He comes out babbling and smiley. His keyworker always gives me a full update on his day and you can tell how much he has bonded with her. Senior management are very friendly and accommodating, they are quick to reply to emails and are always there to greet you.
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Review from Kirsty B (Mother of Child) published on 28 January 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending Busy Bees in Chelmsford full time since April 2018 and is due to leave to go to school this year. The staff at the nursery are fantastic, from the senior leadership team down to the more junior members of staff. My daughter has loved all the stages at Busy Bees in Chelmsford
from the baby room right through to the Foundation room where she is now. Updates of her day are posted on the parents' app including photos and comments and a full handover is given at the end of each day. The activities are varied and I feel that the nursery are doing a great job helping to get her ready for the transition to school. I would not hesitate to recommend this nursery to any other parents.
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Review from Kathy C (Mother of Child) published on 20 September 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have had a brilliant experience with Busy Bees. Our daughter started in the baby room at 11 months and will be leaving the first steps room at 20 months as we are moving away. Staff are warm, professional, have shown genuine care and formed close bonds with our daughter. She comes out smiling at
the end of every day. The large garden was a big selling point for us - outdoor time is encouraged no matter the weather and children from different rooms can share the space (no rotation system). I knew we were in good hands in our very first meeting, and the rest of the team have just been fantastic. Senior management gets involved with all tasks such as welcoming us at the door, as well as responding quickly to emails, and you really get a sense of community. Thank you Busy Bees.
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Review from Clare H (Mother of Child) published on 16 April 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter started at Busy Bees in Chelmsford when she was eleven months old in the babies room, then moving into the first steps room and is now in the toddlers room. All three rooms have been brilliant, she has grown into a very happy, confident little lady and I believe the staff and children at
Busy Bees in Chelmsford have helped play a huge part in that. The activities and food are great and the staff are all very friendly. I feel very secure leaving her there for the day twice a week. We are sadly moving out of the area and there isn't a Busy Bees in Chelmsford near our new house so we are sad to be leaving but very grateful for all the security and fun they have provided. Thank you!
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Review from S G (Father of Child) published on 17 December 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The team in the foundation class are brilliant. They all feature regularly in his conversations over the weekend and others have been getting involved!
We love your set up and how well our boy is developing.
Thank you.
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Review from Catherine K (Mother of Child) published on 2 December 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bees is an exceptional nursery. My daughters are only there 2 days a week but everyone knows both them and myself. Great activities, communication and care. I have always felt 100% comfortable leaving my children in their care, for a large nursery it has a lovely family feel.
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Review from Inga (Mother of Child) published on 5 September 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I strongly recommend Busy Bees for all parents to have peace of mind that your little one is in good hands. My daughter started nursery when she was 14 months. Staff was so friendly and helpful. Now my daughter fluently speaks English, despite the fact that English is her second language. Nursery overall
very clean and tidy. Staff are amazing, very helpful, caring and very professional.
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Review from Liam R (Father of Child) published on 4 September 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff here are just so brilliant and my child has come on leaps and bounds. I would highly recommend Busy Bees 5 Star.
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Review from Ana M (Mother of Child) published on 18 July 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
In June my child was diagnosed with type one diabetes at 3 years old. She has been at the nursery since she was 9 months old and has always enjoyed her time there.
Upon diagnosis, I contacted the nursery and they jumped to action. After some staff training (with the Diabetic team from the Hospital
and myself), my child returned two weeks' later and was greeted so warmly. Her key person and others close to her have all been trained and have gone out of their way to learn as much about the condition as possible to ensure her days at the nursery are still brilliant. The team have been very accommodating and understanding in such a short space of time, I know my child is in good hands!
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Review from Adina C (Mother of Child) published on 24 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are very satisfied with the staff and their system. They are working on an outstanding outcome. The nursery is very clean. The staff are kind and helpful. My son was very sensitive and they did a great job on that.
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Review from V R (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has attended Busy Bees Chelmsford since he was 8 months old (he is now 3 years old) and absolutely loves it! Our younger son has now started to attend and you can tell just by looking at him how happy he is to be there. The staff are always happy, helpful and freindly and genuinely take an interest
in your child/children. One of the reasons we picked this nursery was for the outdoor space they have which is used come rain or shine, it is good to know they are getting out and about in the fresh air. We are very happy with our choice of nursery and wouldn't change a thing.
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Review from Louise (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot recommend Busy Bees in Chelmsford highly enough. My 3-year-old son has been so happy here since he joined at 9 months old and now my second son, who has also joined at 9 months, has been welcomed with open arms.


The management have always been flexible and accommodating and have done their

very best to support processes such as settling in, availability of days, invoicing queries etc.


I have now had exposure to staff in each of the different rooms, from Baby through to Preschool, and I have been so impressed at their continued professionalism, friendliness, and caring ways. They treat my children like their own and I feel happy in the knowledge that when I cannot be with my boys, they are in very capable hands.


Thank you to all at Busy Bees.

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Review from Mehryar M (Father of Child) published on 5 March 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter was extremely unhappy at her previous nursery.
Since joining Busy Bees, she is very happy to come to nursery. She has developed her speech and is very happy.
She is always clean, her nappy is always changed and she is always happy to see her teachers.
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Review from Joanna M (Mother of Child) published on 9 October 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our two girls have had an excellent experience at Busy Bees. They have been consistently well cared for and have formed very close bonds with their class teachers and other children. The staff are kind and professional and have really helped to develop our 4-year-olds confidence in larger groups. Our
2-year-olds language and confidence have taken huge steps forwards since starting at Busy Bees. The teams are great we would definitely recommend Busy Bees to other parents.
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Current Review Score: 8.8 (8.846)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.8 (8.846) out of 10 for Busy Bees Chelmsford is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 8 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.1 out of 5 from 8 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 4.792 for Busy Bees Chelmsford is calculated as follows: ( (78 Excellents x 5) + (16 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 96 Ratings = 4.792
  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 4.054 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Busy Bees Chelmsford is based on 8 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 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 = 3.65
    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 99 number of registered child places is 19.8. 8 Positive Reviews ÷ 19.8 = 0.404
  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

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

Meet the Team (1)

Jennie

Jennie Gregory

Job Title: Centre Director Joined: 2025

Hello, my name is Jennie Gregory, and I am the Centre Director here at Chelmsford. I have over 22 years of experience in childhood education, and 18 of these have been in a management role.


I have worked across various early years settings over the years, and I bring a wealth of knowledge and a calm, supportive leadership style to our outstanding team at Chelmsford.


I hold a Level 4 qualification in childcare and education and a Level 3 qualification in management.


I am responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the centre, ensuring a safe, stimulating, and caring environment where every child can thrive.


I believe that each child is unique and deserves to be supported in their individual learning journey. I work closely with families and our team to create a welcoming and inclusive setting that fosters curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning, giving every child the best start in life.


I cannot wait to meet you and welcome you to our Outstanding nursery.

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