Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe

Northside Road, St Andrews Business Park, Norwich NR7 0HT
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10 78 Reviews
  • Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe, Norwich
Busy Bees at Norwich Thorpe is a nursery that is committed to delivering high quality care and education for children from babies through to preschoolers.

At the nursery, children receive the upmost care and attention thanks to the caring team who are dedicated to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment where young minds can flourish.

Working hard to provide a safe and stimulating environment, Busy Bees at Norwich Thorpe offers three spacious gardens that have been curated to spark children's appreciation and love for the outside world.

As part of its preschool program, the nursery presents engaging yoga sessions which provide children with a unique opportunity to participate in a physical activity that nurtures not only their bodies but also their minds.

If you're interested in finding out more about this fantastic nursery, please reach out to the team. They'd be happy to show you around and answer any questions.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Hollie Spence (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 22

Total Places for Children

  • 72

Age Range

  • from 0 years 2 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 Norwich Thorpe Reviews (78)

10

Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe has a Review Score of 10 (9.972) out of 10, based on 15 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe has 78 reviews.

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Total of 78, showing 1-20
Review from H W (Mother of Child) published on 3 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son began in the baby room a year ago and has gone up through Toddlers to 2-3s. The transition between different rooms is good with multiple settle sessions to make it smooth for the child. You get photo updates via the app of activities your child is doing and through this app are also informed
of nap times and food consumption. Our son enjoys attending nursery and comes home happy. Keyworkers tell you how the day's gone at each collection. The outdoor space is good, particularly in Babies and Toddlers where they've had a recent revamp. The food is also good and the nursery cater for allergies well. Staff are friendly and there is a sense of community with events such as Sports Day, which parents are invited to attend.
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Review from K P (Mother of Child) published on 27 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has attended Busy Bees nursery since she was 12 months old and we would definitely recommend the nursery to any parents. The staff are friendly and supportive and treat our daughter like an individual. They obviously care very much. We receive helpful, personalised feedback and our daughter
has gained so much from her days at nursery.
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Review from Matthew H (Father of Child) published on 27 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter attends nursery here 3 days a week and loves it. The staff are great and very helpful, kind and caring. The facilities are also very good and clean with great outside facilities also. The app is great and photos which they take and updates given are really good throughout the day.
Access
for picking up and dropping off is very easy and plenty of car parking space even at peak times.
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Review from A A (Mother of Child) published on 25 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has attended busy bees for 10 months now and has come so far with his development since joining, first in babies and now toddlers. The staff all genuinely care and have his best interests at heart, we feel confident leaving him in safe hands while we work. There does not appear to be a high
turnover of staff as we have been greeted by the same faces every session which is reassuring. The new app is great for keeping track of their day. We are glad to be part of the busy bees family!
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Review from Emma T (Mother of Child) published on 25 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe will always be 10/10 for us. Both my two girls have flourished during their time in the Nursery. My eldest joining back in 2022, and my youngest 8 months into her Busy Bee journey. They've been supported thoroughly throughout their learning and development to excel into the
little characters they are becoming. Nothing is ever a trouble for the staff team! They are always so happy and inviting and greet my girls ready for their days and providing incredible activities around their interests, especially from outside of nursery to. Thank you Norwich Thorpe!
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Review from Eve R (Mother of Child) published on 24 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son joined busy bees in the baby room and he is now in the preschool room. Every key worker he has had has been brilliant, and they have supported us through fussy eating and potty training. They've even supported me through wobbly drop offs sometimes!
The updates i get through the app are fab,
and my little one always tells me how much he loves preschool. He has made so many friends and learned loads of life skills.
Busybees has really helped him have a great start in life and I can't recommend them enough.
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Review from Holly M (Mother of Child) published on 24 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The team at Busy Bees Thorpe, are fantastic. I've had my two boys both go through each of their rooms since 2021 and to been faultless. The staff are incredible with the children, all welcome us and know every family so well. Really feels like a proper little community of care. Regular updates that
are helpful and they are always so considerate when they've been teething or unwell. Couldn't recommend the nursery highly enough to friends when they do ask :)
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Review from Alannah H (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending Busy Bees since she was just 5 months old, and I couldn't be happier with the care and support she's received. She has truly thrived in the nurturing and stimulating environment the team provides.
Every time I pick her up, I'm always met with friendly faces and helpful,
thoughtful feedback about her day. It's such a comfort to know she's in the hands of people who genuinely care about her wellbeing and development.
I have to give a special mention to three ladies in her room-they are absolutely fantastic. Their warmth, professionalism, and attentiveness have always made me feel confident and at ease leaving my daughter in their care. I can't thank them enough for the love and attention they show her every day.
Busy Bees has been a wonderful place for our family, and I'd highly recommend it to any parent looking for a caring, reliable, and supportive daycare.
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Review from Megan F (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter was extremely sad and anxious when she started at Norwich Thorpe in September 2024 but the two ladies were incredible with her and helping her settle and really put myself and her dad at ease. She's come on leaps and bounds since she started in September and continues to do so. She moved
to 2-3 in January and is so settled and happy now, we have no tears and she's always so happy to attend. The feedback we receive is amazing and we are both so happy that she feels so comfortable. Since being in 2-3 she's found a new love in another two ladies and they are too both so. Brilliant with her. Reading her stories, singing songs and cuddles if she needs it, it's so nice to see her excelling here and the staff are responsible for this. Thank you for all you do for her.
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Review from K H (Mother of Child) published on 24 January 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This Busy Bees is a no brainer for us.
It's an excellent choice for our family, offering:
- Flexibility to accommodate our work schedules.
- Year-round care, eliminating the need for immediate leave.
- Participation in government childcare schemes.
- Outstanding staff and facilities.
- Safe, caring
and loving environment.
Our daughter started at Busy Bees when she was 11 months old and is nearly 4. Busy Bees was my first choice, highly recommended by friends and it has lived up to those recommendations.
The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Despite having around seventy children, they know each child and their families personally. They quickly learn your child's needs and adapt to make them feel safe and welcome. My daughter runs into Busy Bees as if she's going to her grandparents.
We needed flexible hours due our work schedules. We arranged two fixed days and use the app to add extra days as needed. We receive wonderful updates on our child's progress, making us feel more involved in parenting, rather than just childcare.
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Review from Claire W (Mother of Child) published on 24 January 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our second daughter is in the nursery now and is about eight months in. She's so settled, incredibly happy and so well supported with her learning and development. Most recently, her words and object association have come on leaps and bounds. The staff still chat away to her big sister when she joins
pick-up after school. With such a small staff turnover, it is a family away from family. We wouldn't have our daughter go anywhere else.
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Review from G M (Mother of Child) published on 24 January 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started Busy Bees in 2-3's in April 2023 and the staff at the nursery have been nothing but amazing with helping him get settled in and sending updates each day through the app. He's now in pre-school and has run into a few difficulties with his own emotional/social needs and his key worker,
as well as the other nursery staff, have been absolutely amazing and incredibly supportive of this as well as giving me support with referrals to other specialists too to help with home life and nursery life and to help with the transition to school which will be happening this year. The staff are always so kind, especially when he has his difficulties going in in the morning and always let me know that he has settled and is calm and happy playing with his friends which is a relief to hear for any mum who feels guilty leaving their child upset because they have to get to work.
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Review from Amy B (Mother of Child) published on 24 January 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our children have both attended Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe, one alongside another setting and I recommend this nursery time and time again. Our eldest has made great connections from the time at the nursery, from the moment of entering the main reception, we are greeted warmly by name, with little details
remembered (perhaps weekend plans previously mentioned). They are kept busy all day, entertained and more than happy, they look forward to attending nursery. Where we have been thankful for this, is our most recent experience with our youngest attending the nursery. With some additional needs, I was conscious and worried about his journey at nursery, I could not have been more wrong. He has absolutely thrived with the dedicated support of all the staff he has encountered, he has made progress we thought may not be possible. Thank you Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe!
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Review from Rachel B (Mother of Child) published on 24 January 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My toddler has come on leaps and bounds since being at Busy Bees, she skips in and all the staff greet her by name and with big smiles. It is such a friendly and welcoming nursery. My newest baby will soon be joining her big sister at Busy Bees as I couldn't imagine her being anywhere else.
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Review from C O (Mother of Child) published on 24 January 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at the nursery for nearly a year now and absolutely loves it. She is excited to go in and often doesn't want to leave.
The staff are fantastic: warm, nurturing and supportive. Both my daughter and I struggled at the start with separation anxiety but the staff made us both feel
safe and supported.
My daughter is making excellent developmental progression socially, physically and mentally and a large part of this is undoubtedly thanks to the staff, activities and nurture provided by Busy Bees. We have already signed our newborn up for next year.
Our only niggle would be how expensive it is. I am aware that this nursery is not exceptionally more expensive than others but that childcare across the country is unreasonable and the government funding involves lots of complicated provisos and caveats.
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Review from P H (Mother of Child) published on 7 September 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We feel very lucky to attend Busy Bees. From our daughter's first day, we could see how attentive and welcoming the team was. The staff's communication with us is really great, with handovers at drop off/pick up and a real eye for details.
From our daughter's perspective, we can see how much enjoyment
she has each day and her bonds with the team. We have seen her development supported at every stage with well-planned, fun activities.
We would absolutely recommend Busy Bees.
Reply from Emily Graves, Digital Content Assistant at Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe
Hello, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a wonderful review! We’re glad you’re giving your little one the best start in life with us. Best wishes, Busy Bees.
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Review from Dhinesha B (Mother of Child) published on 1 September 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I was reluctant to leave my child in a nursery, however Busy Bees Thorpe have been excellent. Everyone is professional and caring, with a child centred approach. My daughter loves it there, always smiling and happy to go to her key worker. The staff update us regularly on her progress and have adapted
to meet our needs regarding sessions. Environment is outstanding and staff's understanding of the EYFS framework is good. A brilliant nursery with kind hearted staff (including managers and kitchen staff! Who always stop for a chat).
Thank you for being amazing.
Reply from Emily Graves, Digital Content Assistant at Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe
Hello, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a wonderful review! We’re glad you’re giving your little one the best start in life with us. Best wishes, Busy Bees
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Review from Sam M (Father of Child) published on 1 September 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have been so impressed with Busy Bees Nursery at Bannatyne Health Club since my son started with them in June 2023. The staff are always welcoming and friendly and provide the best care for the children. My son has developed so much since joining, a noticeable difference in his confidence, learning
and ability to do things. Thank you so much for giving my boy the best start in life!
Reply from Emily Graves, Digital Content Assistant at Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe
Hello, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a wonderful review! We’re glad you’re giving your little one the best start in life with us. Best wishes, Busy Bees.
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Review from Laura G (Mother of Child) published on 31 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Being a first time mum, I was extremely anxious about putting my little girl into nursery so I could return back to work however, the staff are absolutely brilliant, kind, caring and very attentive. I receive consistent updates throughout the day informing me of how my little one is getting on which
is very reassuring!
I can’t recommend Busy Bees Thorpe Business Park enough!
Reply from Emily Graves, Digital Content Assistant at Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe
Hello, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a wonderful review! We’re glad you’re giving your little one the best start in life with us. Best wishes, Busy Bees
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Review from L A (Father of Child) published on 25 November 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter attends Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe and has since she was a baby. The care throughout all the nursery has been to a high standard and all of her key workers have done a fantastic job of keeping me updated with everything she does. I cannot thank the whole team enough for their hard work.
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.972)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.972) out of 10 for Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 15 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 15 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 4.972 for Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe is calculated as follows: ( (176 Excellents x 5) + (3 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 180 Ratings = 4.972
  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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe is based on 15 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 72 number of registered child places is 14.4, which has been reached with 15 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  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)

Hollie

Hollie Spence

Job Title: Centre Director Joined: 2011

My name is Hollie Spence and I am the Centre Director here at Busy Bees, Norwich Thorpe.


I started my journey within Busy Bees Nurseries in January 2011 at Norwich Thorpe. Since this time, I have worked my way from Relief Practitioner to Centre Director within Busy Bees Nurseries. I completed a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood studies and have since completed my Early Years Teacher Status.


As Centre Director of Norwich Thorpe, I am committed in providing high quality childcare in a safe and stimulating environment and ensuring all children receive the best start in life. The incredible team here at Thorpe, are long standing and are truly dedicated to their roles within our centre.


We look forward to welcoming your family to our outstanding centre.

Frequently Asked Questions about Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe

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

Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe accepts Children aged from 0 years 2 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe Open?

Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe 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 Norwich Thorpe have capacity for?

Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe has capacity for a total of 72 Children.

How far is Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe to the centre of Norwich?

2.9 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 Norwich Thorpe to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Busy Bees Norwich Thorpe has an Enhanced Service - more info.