Busy Bees Stevenage, Great Ashby

Whitehorse Lane, Great Ashby, Stevenage SG1 6NH
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9.1 77 Reviews
  • Busy Bees Stevenage, Great Ashby, Stevenage
Busy Bees Stevenage, Great Ashby is in a great location, situated within the local community near local shops and Round Diamond School. The nursery's parent partnership group can offer help and support to new parents, as well as giving current parents the opportunity to share views and suggestions.

The nursery has a caring and professional staff team who are passionate about what they do and who offer unique play and learning opportunities such as wake and shake and Busy Babies.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Lisa Stevens (Centre Director)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 30

Total Places for Children

  • 112

Age Range

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

Opening Times

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

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Parking

  • There is free parking available

Busy Bees Stevenage, Great Ashby Reviews (77)

9.1

Busy Bees Stevenage, Great Ashby has a Review Score of 9.1 (9.136) out of 10, based on 11 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Busy Bees Stevenage, Great Ashby has 77 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
  • 77
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Reviewer Connection to Busy Bees Stevenage, Great Ashby
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Total of 77, showing 41-60
Review from Magdalena F (Mother of Child) published on 25 September 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are extremely grateful to all the staff at Busy Bees Great Ashby for their care and support provided to our daughter in all her years she spent with them. She started as a six-month-old baby and we were really anxious about leaving her so little in someone else's care, but there wasn't one day that
we were disappointed or dissatisfied with how she was looked after. We loved it as much as she did and we believe that she has been given a great start to her future. She's developed beautifully and she's learned a huge amount of things. She was always happy and telling us all about the exciting things she's done whilst at Busy Bees. To us it was the most important thing as she always felt safe about staying with teachers and never complained about anything. We are extremely grateful for all those years and all teachers that looked after her were great. All staff were very friendly and always made us feel welcome.
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Review from Annie C (Mother of Child) published on 9 May 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
From the first phone call, they have been fantastic. My son started when he was 16 months old, he wouldn't have finger food, or cows milk or eat very much at all, which caused me a lot of anxiety about him going to nursery. The whole team were so supportive and with their hard work and patience with
me, he now eats so well. I get pictures, daily updates, progress reports and so much more, I am so glad I found them and I would recommend the team at Great Ashby to everyone.
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Review from Gemma H (Mother of Child) published on 31 January 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are so pleased we made the choice for our daughter to join Busy Bees Great Ashby almost 2 years ago. She has absolutely thrived with their learning techniques and eats fantastic tasty meals from their cook. The staff are amazing, professional and provide lots of fun learning activities for the children.
Some days I struggle getting my daughter to leave haha.
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Review from P H (Mother of Child) published on 9 August 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bees at Stevenage, Great Ashby has a lovely family feel, the staff genuinely care about the children. They got to know my daughter very quickly and helped her settle into the nursery. They found out the things she is interested in as well as where she needed support to develop. Most importantly
she has fun.
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Review from Karen G (Mother of Child) published on 20 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All staff at nursery are extremely friendly and approachable. My son has separation anxiety when being dropped off and had a recent tough month with a new sibling arriving but felt staff went that extra mile and could see they really cared, making drop-offs easier for both of us.
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Review from Angelique M (Mother of Child) published on 10 May 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since my child has joined in 2016 I have watched her grow and mature. Now that she has moved to Pre-school at Busy Bees I can literally say that she learns something new every day. She is more confident and also realises when she does something that she shouldn't do. In all honesty, I am so glad that
we placed her in Busy Bees. The staff is brilliant with the kids and they take the time to listen to the parents when they have something to say. Great work guys!
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Review from Emma S (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We absolutely loved this Nursery. It was our first Nursery experience and our daughter loved it from day one. All the staff are brilliant and very caring towards the children and their parents, going above and beyond what was expected of them. I could go to work with my mind at ease that my child was
receiving the very best care and attention. She learnt so much throughout her time here and progressed both mentally and physically.
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Review from Annie B (Mother of Child) published on 17 April 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son hasn’t been at this nursery for long due to recently moving to the area but he has come on so much. People always comment about how he’s so independent now. He always comes out at the end of the day with a smile on his face. Couldn’t recommend this nursery enough.
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Review from Zoe Z (Mother of Child) published on 29 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy absolutely loves going to Busy Bees every morning. There is a variety of activity and outdoor play is encouraged which I like. The staff are very friendly and go out of their way to understand and talk to the children about their favourite things such as dinosaurs in my son's case. There
is a good variety of healthy food and the children are encouraged to try new things and I am always jealous of what my son has eaten that day! He is always singing new songs he has learnt at nursery at home and loves reading and writing and playing games which I know he does with his friends.
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Review from David H (Father of Child) published on 29 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child has been going here since he was a year old and he loves it. He's made loads of friends from different backgrounds and plays educational games and is encouraged to be active and creative. He is fed a varied healthy menu, and the staff are approachable and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
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Review from Richard E (Grandfather of Child) published on 26 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I would thoroughly recommend Busy Bees Stevenage Great Ashby. My granddaughter loves going every day. It is reassuring to know that she is safe, well fed, and taught so well by all the carers. The staff are very professional and enthusiastic, what more could you ask for!
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Review from Rachael G (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The team at Busy Bees are fantastic, my little boy absolutely loves it. His key worker is great and really engages with him. On the 2 days he goes into nursery I know he is in safe hands and will have a fun day, which makes going to work a lot easier. I would 100% recommend this nursery to anyone looking
for A* childcare.
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Review from Natalie R (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter is 1 and started at Busy Bee's Great Ashby in January 2018. She has progressed so much in 2 months and I could not be happier with the quality of care she gets every day.
Her key workers and other workers in her room are brilliant, but what I love the most is that all other members of
staff (management/staff from other rooms) know my daughter by name and she is always happy to see them all.
Excellent location, value for money and everyone is so friendly. I was also quite upset leaving my daughter for the first time, and all the staff I saw were so supportive and assured me she would be fine. If I have any other children they will definitely be going to Busy Bees and I would highly recommend this nursery to any parent.
I get daily updates in my daughter's personal journal so I know what she has eaten, when she has slept, what her nappies were like and they tell me what activities she has done during the day. It is very reassuring and I have 110% confidence in the team.
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Review from Katie K (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter transferred to Busy Bee's in February from another nursery in the area. Upon having a nursery tour I was extremely pleased with the staff, layout, food menu and overall vibe of the nursery.
However, when it came to my child settling in I was always worried that she may struggle with the
change of scenery, I was completely wrong!
From her first visit up until now I have never seen as much as a tear when I have to drop her off in the morning. The staff are all so welcoming and attentive you can just tell that she is excited to get in the room and play!
A massive THANK YOU to her keyworkers (you know who you are).
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Review from Jasmine R (Mother of Child) published on 23 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Extremely friendly and Children feel the home atmosphere. Experienced staff. My child loves going to Busy Bees. Looking at his health and development I know that he is being looked after very well. As a parent nothing can be more assuring than this - Looking at the happy and smiley face at the end of
the day suggesting that he had a lovely day. I love the feedbacks I get at the end of every day where I come to know what my child has been doing all day, what he ate, etc. Will highly recommend to friends.
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Review from Clare (Mother of Child) published on 23 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I would like to say how impressed I am with the staff at the Nursery. They are extremely professional and supportive. My daughter is full of smiles when I drop her off for her session. Her attendance at the Nursery has assisted not only with her development but also with the interaction of other children
and adults which has improved her confidence. She has come on leaps and bounds. A special thank you to her allocated key worker, who I know makes my daughters experience fun and enjoyable. Thank you.
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Review from Nicola S (Mother of Child) published on 23 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
It's always a welcoming and happy environment and I feel at ease leaving my child in the care of the nursery. One particular staff member is very personable and friendly and always has time to speak to us whether it's just a Hello or to offer advice or assistance even if she is not working in the room
my child is in that day.
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Review from Melissa M (Aunt of Child) published on 21 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have nothing but good things to say about this nursery. My nephew has been there for around 3 years now and every time I collect him he is beaming from ear to ear! Even at 6pm when the staff probably want to finish they are still giving the children their full attention and have activities for the
children set out and they are still all playing. I get the full lowdown on the journey home from him, telling me everything he has done (sounds exhausting but he loves it!)
The management team who greet me on arrival are always friendly and polite and treat me as if I was a parent and not just a frequent collector of my nephew. They often know what he has done during the day and that's before I discuss the day with the staff in the room. I am not usually one to write reviews, but my experience alone from this nursery has been and still is so great I will not hesitate to place any children I may in the future in their fantastic care. Thank you Busy Bee's Great Ashby team!
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Review from S S (Mother of Child) published on 21 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son is currently at the nursery and has been for the past four months, he loves attending and gets excited when we are close and when he see the staff. I was worried about him starting due to a medical condition and dietary requirements but the management, staff and the chefs have all been very understanding
and good to deal with it all, the food is always of a high standard and he's always given near identical food so he doesn't feel left out. Since starting the staff have helped him thrive in his development and supported him all the way, with daily activities and fun things to do.
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Review from Seeta P (Mother of Child) published on 21 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
When I first visited The nursery, I was very impressed. The entrance to the nursery is very open and inviting. It's very spacious!


The setting is friendly and welcoming, which really helped to settle my twins.
All the staff are lovely and friendly, even if they aren't in the same room as my twins.

Everyone makes a huge effort to great parents and children in the mornings which is a lovely touch.
The managers are very knowledgeable and pleasant to talk to. And if you have any concerns, they are very approachable and understanding.
My twins have really settled well at Busy Bees Great Ashby, beyond expectation. They have learnt so much and are so happy there.


They started in June last year, so have been in the younger room and their current room, and they have loved being in both. All their key workers have been fab alongside all the other staff in the rooms.


I can highly recommend Busy Bees Great Ashby and will continue to do so without hesitation.

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Current Review Score: 9.1 (9.136)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.1 (9.136) out of 10 for Busy Bees Stevenage, Great Ashby is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 11 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.4 out of 5 from 10 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 4.690 for Busy Bees Stevenage, Great Ashby is calculated as follows: ( (110 Excellents x 5) + (7 Goods x 4) + (7 Satisfactorys x 3) + (1 Poors x 2) + (4 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 129 Ratings = 4.69
  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 4.446 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Busy Bees Stevenage, Great Ashby is based on 10 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 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    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 112 number of registered child places is 22.4. 10 Positive Reviews ÷ 22.4 = 0.446
  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)

Lisa

Lisa Stevens

Job Title: Centre Director Joined: 2000

My name is Lisa Stevens and I am the Nursery Centre Director at Stevenage Great Ashby Nursery since January 2013, previously I was Manager at Busy Bees Welwyn Garden City for nine years and have in total 27 years of childcare experience.


I have a range of qualifications and experience from completing my NNEB in 1992, NVQ level 3 in 1998, Assessor and Internal verifier award to more recently Certificate in Leadership and Management.


Over the past few years I have attended many courses and training to ensure my knowledge is current within the childcare industry, including Level 3 cert in food management, safeguarding designated person, paediatric first aid and EYFS courses.


The current staff team have a long service history ranging from 2-10 years inclusive and are a stable experienced team, we take pride in our low staff turnover and consistent key person approach to caring for every child’s individual needs.


I find being part of children’s growth and development both rewarding and satisfying, I get the best of both worlds being office based my job entails working closely with parent’s but there is opportunity during the day to spend time in the rooms joining in the children’s activities.


I currently work Monday - Friday, both of my children have attended the nursery since 8 months of age until they both left for Reception.

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