Brand Certified
Busy Bees Nursery at Bedford Elstow
3.4(21 reviews)
Certified by Busy Bees Nursery at Bedford Elstow • Aug 30, 2026
Business Details
Progress Park, Bedford, BDF
MK42 9XE, United Kingdom
Certified by Busy Bees Nursery at Bedford Elstow • Aug 30, 2026
+44 1234 330220
Certified by Busy Bees Nursery at Bedford Elstow • Aug 30, 2026
https://www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/nursery/bedford-elstow
Certified by Busy Bees Nursery at Bedford Elstow • Aug 30, 2026
About
Certified by Busy Bees Nursery at Bedford Elstow • Aug 30, 2026
Nursery SchoolChild Care AgencyBusy Bees Holdings Limited
Located in Elstow, Busy Bees Nursery at Bedford Elstow provides trusted childcare and daycare for families across Bedfordshire. Our nursery features spacious playrooms, outdoor learning opportunities, and a caring team of experienced early years professionals. Supported by NHS-accredited meals and a curriculum designed around learning through play, we help children develop confidence, independence, and school readiness.
Location
Certified by Busy Bees Nursery at Bedford Elstow • Aug 30, 2026
Busy Bees Nursery at Bedford Elstow
Progress Park, Bedford, BDF
MK42 9XE, United Kingdom
Hours
Certified by Busy Bees Nursery at Bedford Elstow • Aug 30, 2026
Monday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed
Reviews
3.4
21 reviews
5 stars
9
4 stars
3
3 stars
2
2 stars
2
1 star
5
- RPRochelle PowellJul 4, 20261.0I would advise any parent looking for a good nursery not to bother with this one. My daughter was here for 3 months before I pulled her out. It’s a very unorganised nursery, staffing is terrible! They never have no staff so ask parents to keep their children at home if possible. You don’t receive regular updates on the app or updates at pick-up. There’s always different staff in the rooms and the staff don’t seem like they want to be there. Coats are all just thrown on the floor along with other belongings. I didn’t feel comfortable leaving my child in such disfunction which is why I decided to remover her. I wouldn’t recommend this nursery to anyone!
- NPNatalie PetersMay 16, 20261.0Absolutely shocking nursery. They do not have enough staff and have had to close the nursery on several occasions (weekly) for the last 3 months. They have continued to charge full price despite missed sessions and the lack of communication is simply a joke. I do not recommend this nursery if you need reliability because you won’t get it here.
- NKNina khanMay 6, 20261.0I’m really disappointed with our experience at this nursery. Unfortunately, the level of care and consistency just hasn’t been good enough. There has been a serious issue with staff turnover — so many members of staff have left, which made it difficult for anyone to properly understand or support my son’s needs. He has an individual support plan in place, but with new or unfamiliar staff coming in, it often felt like this wasn’t being followed or even known about. He didn’t receive the help and attention he should have. Another major problem has been reliability. My son’s room was closed multiple times due to staff shortages, sometimes with very little notice. On some occasions, we were told last minute that he couldn’t attend at all. There were even times when he was only able to go in one day a week because there simply weren’t enough staff. This is incredibly difficult for working parents who depend on consistent childcare. Overall, our experience has been very frustrating and stressful. I wouldn’t recommend this nursery based on the lack of support, poor communication, and ongoing staffing issues.
- MAMaher AljubailyJan 22, 20251.0Very unreliable nursery. Almost daily understaffing problems especially in cold or rainy weather.
- BRBrown RosesMar 13, 20182.0Used to be Outstanding about 10 years ago : ( I am finding some of the Preschool staff not unfriendly but they come across as though they just don't want to be present. We pay all this money, the least you could do is smile. I don't think managment realise how important the little things are. They are not looking after our fish, you are looking after our children. If they can't engage in a friendly or even try to make some sort of effort - respectfully, do not do the job. They are currently loosing a lot of good friendly staff to to other nurseries which concerns me a lot. 0-2 room outstanding, all brilliant - the others I am not sure about. I am not sure the staff are treated the best either which is a shame because some of them, or most are really good. Toby, the old manager begining of the year, really awesome and a great.The new staff coming in are hopefully being hired for the right reasons. Management changes maybe 3 times in the past 6 months. Hopefully this stabilises from now. I am considering changing nurseries and looking at the ones Outstanding in Bedfordshire such as Lavender Day nursery to which some staff are transferring to. Concerned Parent :( * I do really like the Parent Zone App that allows me to see what my child has done. The staff are great at updating this. For example when they have nappy changed, eaten or had a sleep. If updated on time you can see on your phone how much of their food they have eaten and how long your child has napped for. This a good improvment, and I really enjoy this feature.
Frequently Asked Questions About Busy Bees Nursery at Bedford Elstow
Can I pay for hourly childcare?
We're afraid not – sorry. If you'd like a place at a Busy Bees nursery, your child will need to come along for at least two half sessions, or one full day, each week. Speak to your local nursery about your specific needs - they'll be more than happy to help.
Can my child come to nursery for just one day a week?
Yes, they certainly can! You can book a minimum of two half-day sessions or one full day each week. Just talk to your local nursery to discuss exactly what you need.
Do I need to pay extra for meals and snacks while my child is at nursery?
Your child's meals and snacks are all covered in your nursery fee, so you won't need to make any additional payments. Their nursery place includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a variety of tasty snacks throughout the day, and we can cater for all kinds of dietary requirements and allergies as well as fussy eaters. Just talk to your nursery team if your child has any specific needs. You can take a look at an example menu on our website in the "Eating Well" section.
Do you offer creche facilities?
Sorry, we don't offer creche facilities at Busy Bees nurseries. You'll need to book a minimum of two half-day sessions or one full day at nursery each week to book a place. Have a chat with your local nursery if you'd like to know more.
Do you offer funded places?
Of course! We know it's not always easy to cover the costs of childcare, so we're pleased to offer a variety of funding options at our nurseries – including 30 hours funded childcare. If you're not sure whether you qualify, speak to your local nursery to work out the right funding option for you. You can find more about childcare funding at Busy Bees in the "Quality Childcare" section of our website.
Do you offer taster sessions?
Yes, we do – we call them settling-in sessions. If you're interested in a settling-in session, start by booking a visit to your local nursery; they can tell you more about how it works.
Do you provide nappies?
Whether or not we provide nappies varies from nursery to nursery. In some, we offer an all-inclusive package that covers nappies for children under 2. In others, we ask parents to provide their own. Talk to your local nursery to check whether you'll need to supply your own nappies.
Do your nurseries have gardens?
Yes, they do! All of our nurseries have wonderful, fully equipped outdoor spaces for your child to explore. We plan every space carefully to extend learning opportunities, inspire creativity and – just as importantly – provide different ways to play. Resources like our mud kitchens, trikes and more are always available for children to use, and we run special activities outdoors too. Find your local nursery to learn more about their facilities.
How do I find my nearest nursery?
Simple! Just go on our website and click "Find your nursery". There are over 350 nurseries in the Busy Bees Group across the UK, that deliver high quality childcare and exciting learning opportunities that give every child a head start as they prepare for school.
How do I set up an account for UP?
If you are a Busy Bees parent, just enter the email address you have registered with nursery. This will be the same email that your invoices are sent to. If you are not sure which email address you have used you can check with your nursery manager. If you are a Busy Bees practitioner, your manager will provide you with your log in details.
How will I know if my child is settling in?
Starting nursery is an emotional time, for you as well as for your child. After all, it’s a big step! So, we’ll do everything we can to help your child settle in and give you peace of mind.
Before your child starts nursery, you're welcome to come for a settling-in session. During the session, you'll have the chance to watch your child explore nursery and interact with other children and staff. We'll also assign your child a Key Person. Their Key Person is your dedicated contact while your child is at nursery, and they'll keep you updated on their progress each day. If there are any problems at all, they'll let you know. Speak to your local nursery if you'd like to know more about settling-in sessions.
I don't have a child at a Busy Bees nursery; can I use the UP app?
Sorry – only parents of Busy Bees children and educators at Busy Bees will be able to use the app. It’s all part of how we give the children at our nurseries their very best start in life.
My child's a really fussy eater. Can I send them to nursery with a packed lunch?
For lots of children and for all kinds of reasons, food can be a bit tricky. In fact, that’s exactly why we don’t allow packed lunches or snacks from home at our nurseries; many of the children in our care have allergies, and we just can’t put their safety at risk.
Instead, we provide fresh and tasty breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks at every one of our nurseries. Our menus are healthy, varied, and NHS approved, and we cater for special dietary requirements, cultural food choices, allergies, and fussy eaters, so every child can look forward to tasty food they love to eat. It’s all covered in your nursery fee, too. You can take a look at an example menu on our website in the "Eating Well" section.
What will I find on the UP app?
Our UP learning programme is jam-packed with activities and information, all designed to help your child learn and grow. You'll find professional advice from our team of experts on everything from healthy eating to preparing for school, as well as hundreds of activities for you to try. There are even 50 songs to listen, sing, and dance to with your child, recorded just for Busy Bees. You can learn more about UP on our website.
What's the UP app?
UP is Busy Bees unique learning programme and app, inspired by our promise to give children the best start in life, in and out of nursery.
"UP" stands for "Unleashing Potential", because that's exactly what we've designed this programme to do. Made for children aged 0 to 5, it's filled with an inexhaustible range of activities and advice for every age and stage of nursery children, and the app puts it all at parents fingertips. You can learn more about UP on our website.
What’s an Enrolment Event?
Enrolment Events are like open days or open weeks at Busy Bees. It's a chance for you to visit your local nursery, take a look around, and see some of our exciting activities in action. Then, if you decide to book a nursery place during the event, you'll receive an extra special offer* – it's our way of welcoming you to the family. Talk to your local nursery if you’d like to know more.
*Note: This only applies to participating nurseries, and terms and conditions apply.
Where can I find the UP app?
Busy Bees parents and educators can download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. To find the right app for you, look at the colours – the parent app is teal, and the educator app is purple. Find UP at the App Store and the Play Store.
What are the opening hours of Busy Bees at Bedford Elstow?
Busy Bees at Bedford Elstow is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM and closed on weekends and public holidays like Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Can I pay for childcare on an hourly basis at Busy Bees nurseries?
No, Busy Bees nurseries require a minimum booking of either two half-day sessions or one full day each week.
Are meals and snacks included in the nursery fee at Busy Bees?
Yes, all meals and snacks including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and various snacks are included in the nursery fee and accommodate dietary requirements.
Does Busy Bees at Bedford Elstow offer creche facilities?
No, creche facilities are not offered. Bookings require a minimum of two half-day sessions or one full day per week.
Are funded childcare places available at Busy Bees?
Yes, Busy Bees offers a range of funding options including 30 hours funded childcare. Eligibility can be discussed with the local nursery.
Is there a garden or outdoor play area at the Busy Bees nurseries?
All Busy Bees nurseries have fully equipped outdoor spaces with activities like mud kitchens and trikes to encourage play and learning.
Where is Busy Bees at Bedford Elstow located?
It is located at Progress Park, Elstow, Bedford, MK42 9XE, United Kingdom.
Are there other childcare options near Busy Bees at Bedford Elstow?
Yes, Just Learning, another childcare and day care provider, is nearby and can be an alternative for parents in the area.
What nearby amenities can I visit when dropping off or picking up my child at Busy Bees Bedford Elstow?
Nearby, you can find M&S Foodhall for grocery shopping and Costa Coffee to grab a coffee or snack during your visit.
How can local automotive services serve Busy Bees parents and staff in Bedford Elstow?
There are multiple automotive dealerships and services nearby such as Motorvogue Renault Bedford, Bedford Audi, and Enterprise Car & Van Hire, which can assist with vehicle needs for Busy Bees families.
Brand Certified Facts from Busy Bees Nursery at Bedford Elstow
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Certified August 30, 2026Yext Knowledge Graph
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