Busy Bees Chelmsford

5 The Meads, Chelmsford CM2 0GT
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9.0 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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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Chloe Russell (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)

9.0

Busy Bees Chelmsford has a Review Score of 9.0 (8.996) 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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Total of 55, showing 41-55
Review from Leanne W (Mother of Child) published on 27 September 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have used this nursery for the last 10 years and can honestly say I couldn't be happier with my choice. Both my daughter and now my son have thrived at Busy Bees - they have received exceptional love and care from the staff over the years and I have always felt secure knowing they were so well looked
after. I cannot speak highly enough at this place, which I have seen undergo two major redecorations - it just keeps getting better and better!
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Review from Michelle D (Mother of Child) published on 27 September 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My two children have been at Busy Bees variously from September 2015. The staff are all friendly, knowledgeable and genuinely care about and enjoy being with the children. Whoever I speak to at collection is always aware of my child and what they have done in the day, and how they have been. They are
extremely helpful in maintaining consistency with home, in terms of things like potty training, naps, eating etc. My children have always had a wonderful time there.
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Review from Nigel G (Father of Child) published on 13 September 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My youngest son goes to the Busy Bees nursery in Chelmsford. I have nothing but positive things to say about this nursery.
The staff are truly amazing and seem to have a passion for their job. In turn, this reflects on the children as they love to be there.
Whenever you arrive you are greeted by
friendly staff members and they are always happy to help you and answer any questions about the nursery you have.
My son really enjoys all the activities and of course the playing time when he is there. Busy Bees are also very informative when it comes to things. From regular newsletters to daily food menu updates via text.
And to top it off they put on some great summer and winter events.
I would highly recommend Busy Bees in Chelmsford.
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Review from Briony H (Mother of Child) published on 18 May 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy was at Busy Bees for just a few months but the impact it had was fantastic. The staff was amazing and supported us all in his first foray into nursery. He was well fed, always encouraged to try new things and develop himself further, clearly loved and very well looked after. I had a brilliant
experience of this nursery in particular and found all the staff from the office to the kitchen to the nursery workers to be extremely professional and friendly and all clearly had the best interest of the children at heart. The apps allow you to be updated regularly, the menu is better than anything I've ever made him, the security process to get into the building is excellent.
My son adored the staff there and they made his experience of nursery wonderful. We only moved him because of a house move otherwise I would have kept him there forever. I would recommend this nursery to anyone!
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Review from Jayne P (Mother of Child) published on 17 May 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I feel the nursery is a really good environment for my son. He enjoys his time and is settled in well with his room. The staff in Babies and First Steps have a lovely bond with my son and look after him well.
I would like more information given at handover as some don't say enough about his day, especially
when dad picks up. But overall, I like how the rooms look and he is happy to go to nursery.
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Review from Kathleen H (Mother of Child) published on 10 May 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter joined in August 2015, until present. I cannot praise and recommend this nursery enough! She is very happy and content and has always been made to feel loved and at ease when attending, even when she struggled to adjust transitioning through the rooms. She has fun and has become a loving,
thoughtful and caring little girl.
Our son has also recently started and has adjusted to his new surroundings with ease, he is very happy. Happy children=happy mummy and daddy. The variety of food is excellent too, they are always well fed.
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Review from Megan (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been at Busy Bees for a year and a half (joining when he was just about to turn 3). He went straight to the Pre-School Academy, and I have been nothing but impressed and delighted by the care he has received there. Shortly after he started the nursery underwent an entire renovation, meaning
that all the facilities were updated and decoration all new.


The meals are nutritious, varied and fantastically prepared. ALL of the staff, without exception, are friendly, caring, fun and obviously love their jobs. The days that my son comes home covered in glitter, or flour, or paint are the best days as I can see tangible evidence that he has had a blast (as always). It's in the biggest area - the utmost care of our son that they truly excel, but it's also in the smaller details that they deserve praise (even down to supplying a free takeaway tea or coffee for parents in the morning, who may not otherwise have thought of getting such a luxury!).


I can't thank the staff enough.

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Review from P S (Father of Child) published on 16 August 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Very helpful and friendly. Would recommend. Also, very clean and love the outdoor space.
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Review from Miss W (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started at the nursery in September 2016. He attends 4 days a week and absolutely loves it! The staff are all friendly and welcoming and since their recent refurbishment, the rooms all look lovely! He is always tired on the way home which I take as a sign of a good day!
Looking at the menus
they have on display, the food is great! The menus are so varied it's lovely to see he's eating a great range of things I wouldn't think of cooking at home!
I would definitely recommend this nursery to others.
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Review from Natasha N (Mother of Child) published on 10 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter enjoys her days at nursery and has an excellent bond with her key worker and the staff in the nursery. The food is of an outstanding quality and the chef has been brilliant with helping out with weaning.
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Review from Liz M (Mother of Child) published on 17 January 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Our children both attend nursery. They both enjoy attending and have progressed socially and emotionally. Our daughter is thriving in first steps room due to her keyworker taking the time to understand her likes and dislikes. She has formed a super relationship with all staff too. We can leave both
our children and know they will have a fun-filled day.
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Review from Mark S (Father of Child) published on 23 December 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A very professional and friendly Nursery, my child seems very happy whilst there and seems to benefit from interacting with both the staff and the other children.
I would definitely recommend this nursery, and feel confident that my daughter is being cared for exceptionally well.
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Review from Hayley B (Mother of Child) published on 4 November 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My first child (now attending pre-school in the nursery) joined in 2013 (at 6 months old) and my son (now 1 years old) joined earlier this year.
From the moment I walked through the door with my children, I felt at ease. The staff not only made me feel comfortable and secure but they make my children
feel this way every day.
Both my children love attending the nursery and can't wait to run through the door to see the children / staff and what activities they will be doing for the day.
The current manager and assistance manager is doing a fantastic job.
Thank you, Busy Bee's and keep up the good work for the next lot of children looking to join !
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Review from Hayley H (Mother of Child) published on 4 November 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A friendly nursery with a large outdoor garden for the children.
My first child went to this nursery, and now my second child is enjoying it here.
A variety of activities and indoors and outsides for children, with a good choice of toys and resources.
Good communication with the staff and my child
always tells me how food the good is.
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Review from Michelle H (Mother of Child) published on 25 October 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All the staff at the nursery are very helpful and my little boy is looked after really well. He really enjoys being there and playing with the different toys.
He also enjoys the food. He gets on well with all the staff who look after him.
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Current Review Score: 9.0 (8.996)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.0 (8.996) 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 4.2 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 4.204 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 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 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 3.8
    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

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

Meet the Team (1)

Chloe

Chloe Russell

Job Title: Centre Director Joined: 2014

Hello, my name is Chloe Russell and I am the Centre Director of Busy Bees Chelmsford. 


I joined Busy Bees Chelmsford in October 2014 as an apprentice, studying my Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications In childcare. Upon gaining my Level 3 qualification I was promoted to Room Manager, Senior Room Manager, Assistant Centre Director and became the Centre Director of Chelmsford In May 2024. 


As a Centre Director, I am very passionate about parent partnership and creating exciting environments for children to be inspired and welcome. 

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.