Busy Bees Newhaven

David Lloyd Leisure Centre, Newhaven Place, Newhaven, Edinburgh EH6 4LX
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9.2 41 Reviews
  • Busy Bees Newhaven, Edinburgh
Busy Bees Newhaven is situated by Newhaven Harbour at Newhaven Place, Leith, near Ocean Terminal.

Busy Bees at Newhaven is a 58 place nursery with three age-appropriate rooms, filled with exciting toys and learning materials so that children can have fun playing and learning at their own pace.

The nursery work closely in partnership with Edinburgh Council to provide excellent pre-school education and inspected by Education Scotland who grades on how well the staff deliver the Pre Birth to Three Curriculum and the Curriculum for Excellence to the children.

The Busy Bees childcare team work hard to develop unique learning enhancements for the nursery, these help the children in learning core skills for every stage of their developments.
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Funding & Fees

Contact Busy Bees Newhaven to get a personalised quote.

Contact Busy Bees Newhaven to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Louise Munro (Centre Director)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 25

Total Places for Children

  • 58

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 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

  • Christmas to New Year & Easter Bank Holidays

Busy Bees Newhaven Reviews (41)

9.2

Busy Bees Newhaven has a Review Score of 9.2 (9.245) out of 10, based on 9 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Busy Bees Newhaven has 41 reviews.

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Review from Joanna P (Mother of Child) published on 26 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We can't recommend the nursery enough. Our little girl was very upset at the start but all the staff are so lovely and caring that she is now loving it so much. We always get full information about her day and the manager is always there to help with all our queries. Great place for all little people.
Reply from Lindsey Doughty, Marketing Manager at Busy Bees NewhavenWe are thrilled to hear your comments. We are really pleased to hear about your positive experience at nursery and very much appreciate having you as part of the Busy Bees family. Your comments will be passed on to staff at nursery, we are sure the team will really appreciate your excellent feedback
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Review from Natalie J (Mother of Child) published on 26 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son had a bad experience at another nursery and moved him here and he is so happy. He loves going to nursery and has made lots of friends here. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The communication from the nursery is fantastic too.
Reply from Lindsey Doughty, Marketing Manager at Busy Bees NewhavenThank you so much for your review. We are delighted that your son has settled well with us. We really appreciate your excellent feedback. We will endeavour to maintain the quality of care that you have experienced during your time as a parent at nursery.
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Review from Laura R (Mother of Child) published on 26 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I was really nervous about putting my son into nursery and had visited a few places but didn't like the feel of them. From the moment we had our visit to Busy Bees at Newhaven I really liked it and the staff.
My son has been there since he was 9 months old and he really enjoys his time at nursery.
They really get to know him and have really supported his development.
During lockdown, I did a lot of the activities on the Busy Bees app. It gave me plenty of ideas and it stopped my son being bored at home.
My son has just transitioned into the preschool room and it went really well. He visited the room the week before and he settled in really quickly. All the staff are so friendly and seem to really enjoy their work.
I love that the food is prepared fresh on-site, they were able to cater for my son's dietary needs.
The manager is really approachable and is very knowledgeable about all the children.
Reply from Lindsey Doughty, Marketing Manager at Busy Bees NewhavenWe are thrilled to hear your comments. We are really pleased to hear about your positive experience at nursery and very much appreciate having you as part of the Busy Bees family. Your comments will be passed on to our staff at nursery, we are sure the team will really appreciate your excellent feedback
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Review from Kerri-ann M (Mother of Child) published on 26 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter attended Busy Bees nursery from 1 year old and transitioned through all the rooms, before graduating nursery in time to go to school. My son started at Newhaven from 1 year old and is now 4 and loves nursery, his teachers and the friends he has made. All the staff are knowledgeable and friendly
and know the children and parents very well. I really do feel the standard of care and development provided aids with the transition to school. We have been linked to Newhaven for 6 years and the staff turnover is low, which is so comforting as a parent to know the children have the same teachers. The Manager is great as is the Assistant Manager and my child's teachers, all approachable, helpful and it really is a lovely team. I have recommended the nursery and will continue to do so.
Reply from Lindsey Doughty, Marketing Manager at Busy Bees NewhavenThank you so much for your lovely review.
We are thrilled to hear your comments and we're really pleased to hear about your positive experience at nursery and very much appreciate having you as part of the Busy Bees family. Your comments will be passed on to staff at nursery, we are sure the team will really appreciate your excellent feedback
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Review from S M (Mother of Child) published on 26 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All the staff are fantastic, very friendly and very focused on the children's development. My daughter is always happy to attend and loves all the activities on offer. I would definitely recommend this nursery to anyone looking for childcare and would carry on to use in the future.
Reply from Lindsey Doughty, Marketing Manager at Busy Bees NewhavenWe are thrilled to hear your comments.
Your positive feedback is very welcome and will be passed on to staff at nursery, we are sure the team will really appreciate your excellent feedback.
Thank you for being part of our Busy Bees family
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Review from Christina B (Mother of Child) published on 20 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending Busy Bees at Newhaven since she was one year old. She's transitioned through all the rooms and each one has been tailored to her needs and abilities. She absolutely loves going and playing with her friends. The staff are brilliant, they all know each child and their parents
by name. They have been very supportive of various important transitions such as toilet training. The manager is fantastic, she is extremely accommodating, professional and knowledgeable. During the uncertainties of the pandemic, she kept parents informed and dealt with the challenges admirably. I would thoroughly recommend Busy Bees at Newhaven.
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Review from Samantha R (Mother of Child) published on 20 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has attended the nursery since she was seven months old and she is now almost three years old. The staff are friendly and experienced, they appear to make time to attend to her needs. Every day I feel confident leaving my daughter, knowing that she's well looked after, well-fed and engaged
with great activities. The nursery has its own chef and my daughter thoroughly enjoys the food, when she was very young they made a special effort to provide her with blended meals and helped wean her to solid foods. The children, including the babies, undertake a variety of age-appropriate activities. The management team are consistent in seeking parental feedback. They have implemented many beneficial changes to the nursery in the last couple of years. For example, there is a more natural environment within the nursery and children are encouraged to explore and play in their natural surroundings. We look forward to our daughter spending more happy years at the nursery.
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Review from Perry J (Father of Child) published on 22 June 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My wife and I feel we made the right choice for us (and our daughter) in selecting Busy Bees Newhaven.
She has been very happy/safe and enjoyed her time from the age of 1yrs (now 4yrs) on a full-time basis. The staff are excellent, approachable, engaging and happy to share knowledge and experience
(including moral support). It is no stretch to say we feel and know our daughter is loved at BB Newhaven - which gives us as parents peace of mind. A big plus for us was food freshly prepared and cooked onsite.
The nursery has little ones from a whole range of backgrounds - which we appreciate and enjoy for our daughter to begin to develop a wide frame of reference.
There is a constant desire and appetite to improve and vary. It would be great for the pre-schoolers to go on visits, e.g. to the Museum, etc. I understand why this is difficult to deliver. Some initiatives remain in idea stage but that is far outweighed by the many positives. No issue in recommending this nursery to other parents.
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Review from Anika S (Mother of Child) published on 20 December 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
It's amazing to see how much our baby girl came out of her shell since joining the nursery Turtle's Group in July.
Busy Bees Nursery provided her not only with a playground, various sensory activities and delicious menu but most of all build up her confidence, made her more independent and sociable.
Thank you Busy Bees Nursery staff who is so lovely, warm and caring. They all tailor their approach and pay attention to meet our baby girl's individual needs. It's so assuring for first-time parents like us to see our baby feeling comfortable and safe around the staff who always gives cuddles and sing songs which help to make drop-off more calm and relaxed. We appreciate the detailed feedback at the end of each day to see what our baby was up to the whole day. Management is also very approachable, helpful and easy to contact. It's a safe place developing our baby's skills and unlocking her potential. She enjoys herself there and we have peace of mind that she is well looked after.
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Review from Maria C (Mother of Child) published on 20 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We've been attending Busy Bees at Newhaven for 4 years now with two children. My eldest daughter, now at school, loved going to nursery. The staff are great and we still see them when we take the youngest now. They are an experienced team and they always have time to attend to each child's needs. They
get a lovely welcome in the morning and make sure they are ok. They do lots of activities, complementary jungle explorers, also enjoy a ball and caterpillar music. The manager works hard and has managed to improve their day to day running of the nursery in the last year. The staff are great too and I leave my child happy, knowing that she's well looked after and engaged with great activities. I definitely recommend them.
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Review from Amanda M (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I had my daughter at this nursery for 2 years and couldn't recommend it highly enough. We had changed her to Busy Bees after being at a prior nursery which we hadn't been happy with so were a little anxious at sending her but as soon as we stepped in for our introduction we felt completely at ease.
The nursery was very clean and all play areas were sectioned out great, we loved how it was a very bright and friendly nursery and the staff were all so chatty and actually looked like they wanted to be there. My daughter is a very fussy eater and was great to find out they had a chef in the nursery who made fresh food daily and there was always a great variety. If there was ever a problem, whether it be a small fall or bump to the head, the nursery was great at calling straight away just to inform you what had happened and let you know the procedure they had followed given any accident. I would recommend Busy Bees to anyone who is using private nursery as in my opinion it was fantastic.
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Review from Scot M (Father of Child) published on 6 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter left Newhaven to go to school in August and she still really misses the place. She always talks about the staff and the children from the nursery. She attended Newhaven from around 1 years old and I'm so glad she did, she had no issues moving onto school because the nursery staff helped
fill her with the confidence needed to take on new challenges. We still keep in touch with many of the staff members, they all feel like part of our family now.
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Review from W W (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My children went to this nursery and they enjoyed their time there. The location is really good with ample parking spaces. The management team constantly asks parents to provide feedback to help them streamline the services they provide. The staff are very friendly and approachable. There is clear guidance
regarding infectious disease management within the nursery. The manager ensures good communication amongst carers and parents. There is a clear curriculum that the staff adhere to regarding every child's education and personal development. The staff organises outings and educational visits to various places to consolidate what the children learnt in the nursery setting. With regards to resources, the manager regularly checks the quality of the toys, books and learning materials to ensure they are in good condition. This nursery has its own chef and all the meals provided are cooked to a very high standard and are very nutritious and tasty. Overall, this is a very good nursery!
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Review from Susan K (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy attends this nursery (Starfish room). Staff are very friendly and always welcoming. The staff and manager always take time to listen and have my child’s best interests at heart. I’m very happy with his development since attending this nursery and it’s piece of mind knowing that he is
in good hands and cared for when he attends. Thank you Newhaven staff.
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Review from Z S (Mother of Child) published on 5 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am so impressed with the way the staff conducts itself and the extent to which they are vested in your child's progress and development. They give each child both the individual attention they need, yet provide a framework which enables the child to develop self-confidence and autonomy. The staff
is so incredible and my daughter has become so attached to all of them! Everyone is so astute and notices every small detail of your child's progression. As a first time parent, the staff has given me so much insight on how to help my daughter develop in a positive way and how to play at her strengths.


The difference between Busy Bees and any other establishment is their commitment towards the overall well-being of your child. They have helped my daughter adopt so many different skills such as eating autonomously, being comfortable around other children, developing her artistic abilities amongst many others.


I highly recommend Busy Bees!

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Review from F M (Mother of Child) published on 10 May 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I decided to enrol my baby in this nursery as it is nearby to our flat and this was actually the best choice I could have made! Being a full-time working mum it's vital for me to have peace of mind that my baby is more than being looked after. It is really important to me that baby is being loved and
feeling safe and this is precisely what I found in Busy Bees' staff. They are very caring and make sure babies feel safe and loved. So I can rest assured that my baby is in good hands! I don't feel guilty any more for leaving her in the nursery because I know that after home, this is the best place she could be!
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Review from Jillian M (Mother of Child) published on 15 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son enjoys attending and has formed bonds with all staff. There are a variety of activities on offer for the children and I have watched him develop and grow in confidence.
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Review from Laura D (Mother of Child) published on 15 February 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My older daughter came to this nursery and now I use it for my youngest. I feel that the staff are very hard workers and very helpful and always there to help my oldest who was ill and kept a close eye on her. She loves coming and was said to leave.
I feel as a mother and as a person that works with
kids, it is so important to see and know that they are safe and happy. When staff take that little time to chat, they let you know what happened throughout the day, what your child eats and that makes a big difference and how the day is planned out and staff know how to settle a child faster. If ever I say my child is unwell, they always keep an eye out and contact me and whenever I need help, to do.
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Review from Euan C (Father of Child) published on 30 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I do not have a bad word to say about this nursery. Since our daughter started, she has progressed leaps and bounds. Seeing her interact at nursery is heartwarming. The girls are all amazing with the children and care a lot about their well being.


Every time we pick her up, we are given a rundown

of the day's activities along with what she has eaten, time slept, nappies changed.


Things are dealt with very professionally at the nursery, we are always updated if there are things that happen or things coming up we should know about.


I would recommend this nursery to any parent.

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Review from Catherine G (Mother of Child) published on 2 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at Busy Bees since the summer and I couldn’t be happier with her care. The staff are caring and attentive and know each child’s likes and dislikes. I always receive a full verbal report on her day. The nursery offers additional music and activity classes which my daughter enjoys.
Having access to the David Lloyd soft play is also a benefit when it’s too cold or wet for the children to be outside. Excellent, well-run nursery with great facilities, staff and the bonus of home cooked, healthy and, according to my daughter, delicious meals daily. Highly recommend.
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Current Review Score: 9.2 (9.245)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.2 (9.245) out of 10 for Busy Bees Newhaven is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 9 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.5 out of 5 from 9 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 4.769 for Busy Bees Newhaven is calculated as follows: ( (84 Excellents x 5) + (23 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 108 Ratings = 4.769
  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 4.476 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Busy Bees Newhaven is based on 9 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 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 = 3.7
    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 58 number of registered child places is 11.6. 9 Positive Reviews ÷ 11.6 = 0.776
  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 (2)

Meet the Team (2)

Sophie

Sophie Brown

Job Title: Chef Joined: 2023

Hello, I'm Sophie I've currently been at Busy Bees Newhaven for 4 months but I've been in the hospitality industry for almost 10 years. I have a keen interest in baking in my spare time and bake a huge array of different bakes and cakes. I look forward to continuing to help your child's development by feeding them nutritionally balanced and healthy meals.

Louise

Louise Munro

Job Title: Centre Director Joined: 2019

I hold my SVQ level 4 in Social Services (Children and young people). I enjoy every aspect of my job, especially the difference we make for all the children in our Centre, giving them the best start in life.

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