Busy Bees Hempstead

197 Hempstead Road, Hempstead, Gillingham ME7 3QG
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9.6 72 Reviews
  • Busy Bees Hempstead, Gillingham
Busy Bees at Hempstead provides the perfect environment to offer children the best start to their early education.

The nursery has light and spacious rooms, with separate areas for different ages, and fabulous resources to encourage children's development and ensure they enjoy each day spent there. The team also strive to create a welcoming environment where children are nurtured and prepared for the next stage of their educational journey.

Along with fun-filled nursery rooms, the nursery provides a comforting sensory room, so your child can relax and absorb their senses with colourful lights, the bubble tube and fine motor toys.

The enthusiastic staff work hard to make sure your child is happy and engaged during their time at the nursery. So no matter what they enjoy doing, there will never be a dull moment at Busy Bees at Hempstead.

The team understand how busy family life is, to help support you they provide nappies and wipes along with meals and snacks for your little one to tuck in to throughout the day. You can also book additional sessions through the easy online booking system, Pebble.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Claire Arkell (Centre Director)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 16

Total Places for Children

  • 76

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Full day £59.00,
    Am session £33.50,
    Pm session £29.00

  • Fees are inclusive of all meals prepared and cooked by their own in house Chef, Suncream, nappies and wipes

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays

Parking

  • Parking onsite, please park on the left hand side when entering the carpark.

Busy Bees Hempstead Reviews (72)

9.6

Busy Bees Hempstead has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.580) out of 10, based on 11 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Busy Bees Hempstead has 72 reviews.

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Review from J W (Mother of Child) published on 22 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The team have been wonderful at settling our little one in, nothing is too much trouble! The outdoor space is great and they always have great activities lined up. Communication has been great from the beginning. Highly recommend Busy Bees Hempstead.
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Review from Nicola B (Mother of Child) published on 30 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been going there since she was one year old. I would highly recommend sending your child here. The staff are brilliant I don’t have to worry about leaving her as I know she will have a great day and be well looked after. They send updates on the app, I like that they keep me informed
and educate her as well as play. She has progressed so much in her development since coming here.
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Review from L C (Mother of Child) published on 17 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
From start to present I have been extremely happy with Busy Bees at Hempstead. Both of our children attend the preschool and nursery rooms. I like that they teach as well as play as some nurseries I toured it seemed to be more like a holding pen for cattle (in my opinion)! We have a lot of information
sent home about the children, notices and dates for our diary. This is brilliant as I can plan for the forthcoming events/changes. The staff are extremely friendly and easy to communicate with. It is in a grey location and parking isn't an issue. From what I can see the nursery is kept clean but because of COVID we're not able to enter.
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Review from Rebecca T (Mother of Child) published on 17 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been going to busy bee’s since March this year, and he has come on such a long way since starting thanks to their extra help. All the staff are so lovely and really care, he absolutely loves coming here. I’m happy leaving him for the day because I know he will have a great time. Couldn’t
recommend them enough.
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Review from J D (Mother of Child) published on 17 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started at Busy Bees at eight months old and is now three in the pre-school room. He has thrived there and grown in confidence. I love hearing him talk about his friends and getting photo updates on the app. The staff are friendly and always make a fuss over my little one. My second baby boy
will be starting next year as well.
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Review from Katie S (Mother of Child) published on 17 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Sent my boy just after he turned one. I was super anxious about him going because he was such a mummies boy he wouldn’t even go to his nanny and grandad easily. Very clingy! Also at the time covid was still around so another worry! The nursery reassured us of the protocols and they were on it with everything!
First impressions were amazing as we met the manager and instantly felt at ease and also our son did which was amazing! He now just turned two and has been attending two mornings a week since he runs into nursery and asks daily to go which says it all. The staff are very attentive and caring and I am completely at ease when sending my son there. Thank you so much to the manager and the amazing team!
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Review from Kerri S (Mother of Child) published on 16 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A lovely setting. Love the staff and the great bond they have built with my son.
The staff are always quick to answer any questions I have and keep us updated on any changes.
The app is a great feature as we are sent pictures and can see what my son has eaten.
He loves it there!
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Review from V C (Mother of Child) published on 16 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started after the February half term when I was due back to work after maternity. Being concerned myself about everything that was going on with Covid, Busy Bess Hempstead were completing understanding of the situation and gave me and my son all the support required! My son loves going into
nursery and is always smiling when he gets dropped off and when he gets picked up. The staff are very friendly and communication is very good! I love seeing the pictures of what he has been getting up too! Definitely recommend!
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Review from A B (Mother of Child) published on 16 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent staff, very caring and accommodating. My daughter is very happy there. My daughter really enjoys going. They have a lovely outdoor space. The menu is varied and my daughter seems to eat well.
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Review from Nikki S (Mother of Child) published on 8 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We had to change nurseries unexpectedly and Busy Bees at Hempstead have completely exceeded my expectations. Both children have settled so well and so quickly. All staff we speak to are friendly and professional and I can tell they really take the time to get to know the children. Definitely recommend!
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Review from Daysie L (Mother of Child) published on 5 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I couldn’t be happier with how my son has settled in. He absolutely loves Busy Bees at Hempstead and all the staff. The app is brilliant and I love getting updates throughout the day, it gives me reassurance that my son is okay. I can notice a difference in his development and can tell that the nursery
focuses on development every day, and I really like the development updates through the app. The variety of food is really good, as well as the quantity. The nursery itself is very clean and well maintained with a wide range of toys and the garden/outside facilities are also to a high standard. I couldn’t recommend Busy Bees at Hempstead enough.
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Review from Laura B (Mother of Child) published on 20 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery is brilliant. As a first-time mum going back to work it just puts your mind at ease. No question is too silly, no phone call to check on them is too much. It’s really been the making of our son.
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Review from G M (Mother of Child) published on 13 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery has been amazing with my little boy. He absolutely loves it there, and has learned so much since being there! The nursery staff make you feel at ease when they are first settling in as it can be daunting! But within a couple of sessions, he absolutely loves it there! Very friendly and professional
environment!
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Review from Rebecca W (Mother of Child) published on 5 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
When my little boy started at Busy Bees Hempstead it was just after lockdown and because of this, he was shy, clingy to me as his mum and was unsure of anything new. Spending a couple of weeks with the girls at Busy Bees changed all of this and he is now so confident, happy and drags me up the path
to get to the front door in the morning. He gets so excited to go and he loves it. I couldn’t be happier with the service and the way all the staff treat the children. He eats so well when he’s there and his table manners at home have improved so much. His language and social skills have also improved massively and I couldn’t recommend this nursery enough.
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Review from Selena R (Mother of Child) published on 5 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my children attend Busy Bees and they both love it. Even with the new restrictions, the staff makes the children feel welcome and reassure the parents that the children will be fine even when the children are shedding a few tears. Both of my children love the staff and the activities that they
do there.
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Review from S F (Mother of Child) published on 24 August 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is a great nursery with a homely feel. The staff are excellent and always go the extra mile. My little girl is 11-months-old and I thought she’d be hard to settle in but she has settled in no problem thanks to the staff. My little boy came to this nursery 4 years ago and the same staff are still
there now looking after my little girl. I would recommend this nursery to anyone!
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Review from D T (Mother of Child) published on 21 August 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since my daughter joined the nursery they have been very supportive of her and accommodating of her throughout her settling in. She really enjoys being at the nursery and has made lots of friends really quickly. Overall I have been happy with the service and care that this nursery have provided.
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Review from N S (Father of Child) published on 1 April 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I couldn't be happier with Busy Beest at Hampstead. My daughter's development has improved massively thanks to her key workers. All the staff have been brilliant. I wish she could stay for longer but they have got her so ready for big school.
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Review from K T (Mother of Child) published on 1 April 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Really good, nice knowing there's no problems with my son. I love all the teachers. Very supportive and they are always so positive.
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Review from C M (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My experience of Busy Bees has been nothing but excellent. The carers in the nursery are knowledgeable, experienced and fantastic with the children. My son is very happy whilst being in the care of the nursery. His development has grown massively and it's encouraging to see.
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Current Review Score: 9.6 (9.580)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.6 (9.580) out of 10 for Busy Bees Hempstead is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 11 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.7 out of 5 from 11 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 4.856 for Busy Bees Hempstead is calculated as follows: ( (115 Excellents x 5) + (15 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 132 Ratings = 4.856
  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 4.724 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Busy Bees Hempstead is based on 11 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 76 number of registered child places is 15.2. 11 Positive Reviews ÷ 15.2 = 0.724
  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)

Claire

Claire Arkell

Job Title: Centre Director Joined: 2014

Hello my name is Claire Arkell and I am the Nursery Manager at Hempstead Busy Bees.


I have been with Busy Bees since they acquired the Kinder sites in March 2014.


I have been in childcare now for 11 years and hold a NVQ 3 in Children's Care Learning and Development. I have worked in a number of nurseries and for the last 9 years have been working at Management level. Along the way I have gained a lot of knowledge and experience which I reflect in my day to day practice, using this to guide the staff team and share my experience.


I attend regular training to improve my practice including, First Aid and Safeguarding.


It fills me with pride when you can see how the children flourish and develop in our care and become the individual people with shining characteristics that they are.

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