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
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Busy Bears Day Nursery
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Total of 91, showing 61-80
Review from Jaqui N (Mother of Child) published on 28 August 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I placed my daughter in Busy Bears when she was seven months. I was nervous but I am very happy with our choice. Nursery Nurses in the baby room are fab, the food is healthy and nutritious. My daughter has developed a lot in the two months she has been at the nursery, staff are very approachable and
full of helpful advice. The special carer system is brilliant, my daughter goes straight to her carer and there are never any issues. We are sent photos every day of the activities she is doing. She is always clean when we collect her and enjoys spending time with the staff and children in the room. I would recommend Busy Bears if you are currently looking for a day nursery.
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Review from Rachel A (Mother of Child) published on 20 August 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my children have attended Busy Bears, with my eldest starting in 2015 and being there until he left for school in 2017. My youngest was at the nursery from nine months and has only just left so that she can join the pre-school attached to her big brother's school. I can't praise the nursery enough
- from the very start, they have been supportive, caring and nurturing - looking after us as well as the children!
My son was incredibly well prepared to join school and has thrived in his first year, I truly believe the foundations for effective learning were put in place during his time at Busy Bears. My daughter is only just three and will be one of the youngest in her year at pre-school - however, her time at Busy Bears will stand her in good stead and I am sure she will thrive in her new environment. A huge thanks to the team - each of you have played a huge part in our time at the nursery and we'll miss you all! Thank you!
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Review from Tamsyn H (Mother of Child) published on 18 July 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter, nephews and niece have all gone to Busy Bees at Bearpark. I would recommend them and have done so to anyone who wants the best environment for their child. The staff are always happy to help and nothing is too much trouble. A particular member of staff, who is the first face you see at
reception during the day, is such a friendly person and seems to remember every child's name and makes everyone welcome. Each room is set up to make every child's day full of learning, play and happy times. The staff make sure that every child has the care and support they need. My daugther has been in every room there. Thank you so much for all the happy times and for looking after my daugther as though she was yours.
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Review from Julie T (Mother of Child) published on 16 July 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bears is an amazing nursery, it runs really well and the transition between each age group is smooth and easy. The activities they organise each day are fun for the kids, imaginative and educational.
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Review from Peter M (Father of Child) published on 2 July 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child has attended right through Busy Bears Day Nursery, he started as a baby and enjoyed attending every day. He has made lots of lovely memories there over the years, made great relationships with staff and other children and has learned so many skills along the way.
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Review from Ryan H (Father of Child) published on 2 July 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I couldn’t fault the nursery. I always feel welcome when dropping off and picking my child up, I feel the staff go above and beyond in every way they can especially with meeting the needs of my child, they focus in well on each, ensuring they are helping each child progress as individuals. The activities
that are on offer on a day to day basis are outstanding. I often repeat these at home with my son, the staff are always happy to help nothing is ever too much to ask, they support me with my child not only at nursery but also with home routines giving me lots of advice when needed. There is always a great choice of meals for the children and the portion sizes are perfect and my child never comes home hungry. I feel the nursery is a great value for money.
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Review from Susan K (Aunt of Child) published on 12 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery has a wonderful friendly atmosphere when you enter and also when leaving, everyone is so friendly. When I go to collect my nephew he never wants to leave as he is having so much fun. The staff are very friendly and always have lots of things to tell me about his day. The nursery is always
very clean and the food looks wonderful.
His mammy shows me parents zone and it is fantastic what it shows about his learning and what happens throughout the day.
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Review from Martin M (Grandfather of Child) published on 25 May 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent nursery! Thank you!
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Review from M C (Mother of Child) published on 10 May 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter loves coming to nursery. She enjoys a wide range of activities in a supportive and caring environment. Staff are also very supportive of the whole family, proving advice and support when required.
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Review from Vicky B (Mother of Child) published on 3 May 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This nursery is lovely and has very caring staff who I feel very happy that my child is being well looked after by.
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Review from Gareth A (Father of Child) published on 30 April 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bears offers a nurturing, caring and challenging environment for children. Our eldest child started at 9 months and progressed through all the stages of the nursery. We were delighted with the care they received, the environment which provided both challenges and nurturing, fostering development
and achievement. Our second child is currently midway in Busy Bears and the philosophies and care are still as effective as they were 5 years previously. An excellent nursery with committed and caring staff.
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Review from Deborah C (Mother of Child) published on 6 April 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Busy Bears Nursery has been such a great experience for my child. Although he doesn't go full time, he has a great time while he is there, and now runs in on his day and doesn't even notice me leaving. The room is full of activities for him to participate in. Which are both fun and educational. The
staff are all friendly and helpful and will assist you in any stage of your child's journey. There is a lot of helpful tools available for you to take home also, such as information on potty training or packs of activities for your child's favourite interest of the time, such as trains or diggers etc. My child always comes away from nursery exhausted, which I think shows he's had a great day. I can't recommend this nursery enough.
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Review from Lyndsay C (Mother of Child) published on 6 April 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This nursery is welcoming as soon as you walk in and all staff are key professionals. Our little girl has been there a month and as a family, we feel so looked after giving us peace of mind and that she will be well cared for. Our daughter also has a visual impairment but the nursery has been supportive
and welcoming. The setting is also secure with a manual reception which makes a big difference. As parents, we couldn't be happier.
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Review from Daniel C (Father of Child) published on 30 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has attended Busy Bears for a while now. Our experiences with the nursery from day one has been exceptional. When we were first shown around the nursery we were extremely impressed with the information that was given to myself and my wife and we decided almost immediately that we would enrol
our son. The care and support my child and us as parents were given was excellent. Everyone goes above and beyond, you can see the dedication the whole nursery team has to their individual roles.


What we liked about the nursery also was the flexibility it had around our contracted sessions as I work on a rota and am required to change sessions from time to time.


The range of activities and learning opportunities my son experiences is excellent.


We would definitely recommend this nursery.

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Review from Paul S (Grandfather of Child) published on 22 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I can't tell you how happy I am to have my grandson here at this nursery. Having witnessed several other nurseries in the area I am delighted that my daughter chose this one for her two year old. I regularly pick my grandson up and every time I see him he is happy, playing and interacting with staff
and his peers alike. The food looks and sounds wonderful and is, I presume, homemade from what I have seen. He eats everything put in front of him there. The staff are superb, professional yet friendly and warming. They even have time to add your child's activities and meals etc onto a parent app which you can view throughout the day so you needn't worry unduly.
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Review from Kirsty C (Mother of Child) published on 21 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending Busy Bears since she was 10 months old. At the initial visit, we were made to feel welcome and everything was explained to us in full detail.
The staff are amazing and will go over and above to help you. The nursery has been so flexible over the 2 years she has been
there, allowing me to swap days when needed due to work commitments. The food is amazing and I love the app that captures her development, I can check what she is eating and what she is up to during the day. Nothing is ever a problem for the staff and they are always at the end of the phone if you are worried (I am one of those parents who worries none stop). I would HIGHLY recommend Busy Bears to everyone! Thank you to everyone at Busy Bears, without you, my daughter wouldn't be where she is at today with her development. We are going to miss you all lots.
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Review from Gary C (Grandfather of Child) published on 7 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My 3 grandchildren all attend Busy Bears and absolutely love the nursery. They have so much fun, wonderful experience and opportunities. Sometimes it can be difficult picking up all 3 children when they are all under 4 years old. The nursery staff are so helpful, even giving us a helping hand to the
car when they can see we are struggling on occasions. Thank you to all of the staff for working so hard every day and for making the nursery such a special place. The nursery food is amazing! I can not recommend it highly enough.
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Review from Katherine A (Mother of Child) published on 26 February 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been going to Busy Bears Day Nursery since she was 9 months and in both rooms that she has been through all members of staff have been great with her. The new app is a godsend as I can see all the great activities she gets to do and the different meals given to her. I would highly recommend
Busy Bears Day Nursery to anyone!
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Review from M E (Father of Child) published on 13 February 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I find the staff very attentive and treat the children as if they were their own.
A wonderful safe environment.
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Review from Elizabeth H (Grandmother of Child) published on 5 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My grandson has been attending the nursery for 8 months and I am thrilled with his development and what he is involved with. The nursery is very caring and I am always welcomed warmly when collecting him. The nursery is fantastic and all of the opportunities that they have on offer is exceptional. The
girls within the room are amazing and know my grandson so well. I would not hesitate to recommend Busy Bears to anyone as it is truly amazing.
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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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