Busy Bears Day Nursery

Field View, Auton Stile, Bearpark, Durham DH7 7AA
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9.3 91 Reviews
  • Busy Bears Day Nursery, Durham
Busy Bears Day Nursery provides quality and inspirational learning for children up to eleven years old.

It offers a nurturing and caring environment where everyone feels welcome and valued in their own right.

It provides a high-quality childcare service and this is recognised by parents and Ofsted.

The children are cared for in a stimulating environment where each child can reach their full potential. Children are actively encouraged to explore, learn, communicate and interact with one another.

Busy Bears are very proud of their staff who you will find are enthusiastic, dedicated and highly qualified and this is what makes the nursery so special.

There are extensive separate gardens where the babies and children can explore and feel safe, but most of all have fun.

Busy Bears has an open door policy to ensure there is effective communication at all times between the nursery and parents/carers.

Staff would love to show you around their wonderful nursery.
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Type of Service

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

Owner

  • Busy Bears (Durham) Ltd
  • Privately Owned

Person in Charge

  • Emma Ellison (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 50

Total Places for Children

  • 169

Age Range

  • from 0 years 0 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 & 1 week at Christmas

Busy Bears Day Nursery Reviews (91)

9.3

Busy Bears Day Nursery has a Review Score of 9.3 (9.271) out of 10, based on 10 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Busy Bears Day Nursery has 91 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 89
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Date Published
  • 91
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  • 10
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Reviewer Connection to Busy Bears Day Nursery
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Total of 91, showing 41-60
Review from Julia L (Foster Parent of Child) published on 23 September 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I couldn’t be happier with Busy Bears as a nursery for the little one we care for. Prior to applying for a place, the staff were extremely helpful and more than willing to answer the many questions I had. I can speak highly of everyone at the nursery, including the lovely admin people. Our little one
had a number of taster sessions to help him settle and then when he did start, the transition from being in my care all day was much easier for him and for me. The staff have gone the extra mile to ensure that anything they do, is adapted to take into account his circumstances. For example, for Father’s Day, he made a card to say thank you to my husband for taking care of him. They have supported us and him with any additional needs he has and has been so encouraging of the progress he is making. I did a great deal of research before deciding on a nursery and I couldn’t be happier with the care and attention that our little one receives.
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Review from Suzie (Mother of Child) published on 20 September 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This a fantastic nursery. The staff are so good at what they do and go above and beyond delivering a very personal service. The nursery is very flexible which has helped me out a lot as my husband works shifts so the days we required childcare often changed. The nursery is so colourful and there’s always
new things for the children to explore.
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Review from Katy F (Mother of Child) published on 13 June 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son joined the nursery three months ago, he was very quiet and reserved. I was concerned about his development and put him into the nursery on the advice of my health visitor. The change in my son has been amazing. He's come on so well since joining Busy Bears. He's much more vocal, has learnt to
walk and is a much more confident and happy child. The staff took on board my concerns and have taken real good care of my son. The staff are all polite and the nursery has so much variety and the staff show a lot of care and patience toward the children. They also keep parents up to date with what your child is doing.
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Review from Karen M (Mother of Child) published on 13 June 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bears is a wonderful nursery. My little boy has been settled from day one. All the staff are friendly and approachable. They have been very flexible in changing sessions to fit with my working pattern. The nursery offers a wide variety of activities - from reading to messy play. The meals are varied
and according to season. In fact, my son eats better at nursery that he does at home. I feel very happy leaving my son at nursery knowing that he is being well cared for, having lots of fun and making friends. I would recommend Busy Bears to anyone.
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Review from Laureen J (Mother of Child) published on 29 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending Busy Bears for around 5 months now and it has been a fantastic setting for my son from day one. The staff have been welcoming and accommodating with nothing ever being too much trouble. There is a wide range of activities to enjoy on a daily basis both inside and out on the
garden. If I have ever had any queries or concerns they are always there for a chat and to offer any support they can. Thank you for all the hard work you all out into making my boy happy at nursery.
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Review from Kellsie A (Mother of Child) published on 29 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bears Nursery is wonderful! They have made both myself and my child feel so welcome from the offset. The service they provide is exceptional from the staff who care for my child to the kitchen staff and the office staff and management. My child loves going to nursery and enjoys all the activities
on offer. The girls have helped him come on leaps and bounds since starting and I love that I can see what he has been up to on the app. I can't thank them all enough for their services and I would highly recommend this nursery to everyone.
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Review from Laura C (Mother of Child) published on 28 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Before my daughter started nursery I always imagined it would be really hard leaving her at nursery when I went back to work, however, seeing her faced beaming when we get to nursery makes going to work so much easier. She loves all the staff and gets so much out of her nursery sessions. I wouldn't
hesitate to recommend this nursery to friends and family. Thank you Busy Bears and all your lovely staff.
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Review from Leanne A (Mother of Child) published on 13 March 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Highly recommend this nursery to any parents considering childcare. Our son started attending at 9 months old and he has progressed in his development (with the help of the staff) to be the little character he is today. I'm always impressed by the range of activities on offer each week and love to hear
about these using the parent app.


Transitions between rooms have always been planned and communication with 'special carers' and myself to aid with this change. I have not experienced anything other than positives attitudes and approaches, from all staff within the nursery environment.

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Review from V M (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my children have attended Busy Bears Nursery from the age of nine months. The care they have experienced has been really excellent. Staff turnover is low and the carers are wonderful at looking after the children and responding to their interests and needs. The range of activities offered is amazing
and the boys have loved going to nursery. The nursery is warm, welcoming and all the staff are highly committed and dedicated from management to reception and safeguarding staff to the brilliant cleaning team in addition to the carers.
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Review from Gemma W (Aunt of Child) published on 4 March 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery is very welcoming. My nephew never wants to leave, he has so much fun. He always tells me what he has been doing and if he enjoyed it. The staff are amazing with the children and nothing is ever too much trouble.
Thank you for everything the nursery does. They are truly amazing.
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Review from Christine L (Mother of Child) published on 19 February 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bears has been an excellent nursery for my son. He started in September 2018 at 3 and a half years old after attending another setting since 8 months. Integration to the nursery, to the other children and staff has been fantastic.
We can't fault the team or nursery at all.
Our little boy loves
it at Busy Bears.
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Review from Samantha W (Mother of Child) published on 30 January 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My family have been experiencing a difficult time due to my illness and associated ongoing treatment. The staff at the nursery have been exceptional in offering support. They have been very flexible and accommodating ensuring my child has been able to enjoy the calm and educational environment that
Busy Bears offers. This has been essential in trying to keep a 'normal routine' during such a hard time. Thank you!
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Review from Claire F (Mother of Child) published on 30 January 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending Busy Bears for nearly 2 years now. I couldn't think of anywhere else I would send him. I know he is cared for so well and nurtured by the team of people who work tirelessly around him. He loves attending the nursery and as for us, we feel part of the Busy Bears family. It's
an amazing place to send any child and I would personally recommend it to anyone who has young children. We would be lost without Busy Bears and their tremendous staff.
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Review from M N (Father of Child) published on 18 December 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
From welcome packs for our little one, to ease the emotion of their first day, to Christmas gift bags with handmade gifts from the nursery and our little one. Our child eats more diverse meals than we do and comes home happy and cheerful every day.
Detailed activity logs on parentzone and pictures
galore give us certainty (as if we needed more) that our little one is in the best hands.
A fantastic team throughout the entire business - each and every staff member really is a credit to themselves. We could not wish for better care for our child.
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Review from Shannan F (Mother of Child) published on 27 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child absolutely loves coming to Busy Bears Day Nursery! The staff are fabulous and there is also a fantastic range of activities for the children, for example, Forest School, where my child loved being able to explore the outdoors whilst being in a safe environment.


Fantastic nursery all round.

All the staff are very friendly and helpful!
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Review from Angela G (Mother of Child) published on 29 October 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child enjoys the wide range of activities that Busy Bears offers, including Forest School and sports clubs. All the staff are professional, approachable and caring. The learning environment is engaging, with a vast choice of resources and activities on offer. The food is fresh and plentiful.
My child is making good progress in learning and development and he enjoys going to Busy Bears.
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Review from Gillian B (Grandmother of Child) published on 26 October 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have found the nursery staff very friendly and professional. The facilities and content of each day are excellent. My grandson loves to attend, has made some lovely little friends and has developed extremely well both socially and educationally. This is all due to the ethos and commitment of the staff.
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Review from Patricia P (Mother of Child) published on 25 October 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This nursery is amazing in every way, from the first day my daughter came to the nursery she loved it. The staff are amazing and all put in everything that they have to ensure the children are happy. The food is home cooked and amazing. My daughter has grown to be an enthusiastic, friendly, sociable,
and independent little girl. I cannot recommend this nursery enough.
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Review from Tammy M (Mother of Child) published on 24 October 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bears is a brilliant nursery which my daughter attends. The nursery staff are caring and attentive and the food variety is great.
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Review from S V (Mother of Child) published on 24 September 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bears Day Nursery is a great nursery and the staff are all fantastic. They gave our daughter a wonderful start full of fun, interesting experience and excellent care. Staff attitude and abilities are outstanding.
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Current Review Score: 9.3 (9.271)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.3 (9.271) out of 10 for Busy Bears Day Nursery 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 10 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.3 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 4.975 for Busy Bears Day Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (117 Excellents x 5) + (3 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 120 Ratings = 4.975
  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 4.296 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Busy Bears Day Nursery 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 169 number of registered child places is 33.8. 10 Positive Reviews ÷ 33.8 = 0.296
  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.

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