Nursery SchoolChild Care AgencyBusy Bees Holdings Limited
Located near Shenley and Radlett, Busy Bees Nursery at Shenley offers high-quality childcare and daycare in a calm, welcoming environment. Based in a small Hertfordshire village, we are surrounded by beautiful countryside and wildlife. Our nursery provides stimulating indoor activities, outdoor play, and a nurturing early years team. With NHS-accredited meals and a curriculum focused on learning through play, we support every child’s development.
Both my boys have attended Busy Bees and have thrived there. The staff are fantastic, very supportive and really cater for every child. My youngest will be starting school soon, but as a family we will look back at our time at Busy Bees fondly!
VJ
Victoria Jones
May 26, 2026
5.0
Such a wonderful nursery, my daughter is really happy there. She likes all the staff and has developed so well under their care. She has advanced language and loves to learn through play and singing. Opening hours are very convenient for us, it's hard to find any other nursery that opens at 7:30.
TE
the big e
Feb 11, 2026
5.0
10/10 i liked it from what i remember. also tracy is a diva and im still friends with ppl for nursery which is cool
JJ
Jack
Nov 29, 2025
1.0
I usually leave good reviews, however I write this review as a concerned parent but also based on my partners 8 years worth of loyalty working here, which unfortunately came to an end as did our children’s attendance .
Our experience with Busy Bees has gone steadily downhill since Yanique Arabambi took over as manager. Standards fell, communication weakened, and the level of professionalism we had trusted for years simply disappeared.
Both of our children attended this nursery, and the lack of proper support, especially for our child with additional needs was unacceptable.
Since April, nothing meaningful was put in place and some of the reports written about my daughter’s progress were inaccurate, lost & falsified. Yanique should have investigated this and the person responsible, but nothing was done. As parents, this was extremely upsetting and far below the standard any family should expect.
My partner worked at Busy Bees for nearly eight years, yet her formal request for a term-time position was ignored for months. Management promised to help her find a solution but never followed through, and when she finally made the difficult decision to resign, Yanique didn’t even have the decency to acknowledge or reply to her resignation email. That alone says a great deal about the lack of respect and professionalism shown.
After the way our family was treated, our children as attendees and my partner as a long serving employee, we have completely lost confidence in this nursery. We would not recommend Busy Bees Shenley based on how these situations were handled.
However i would like to thank and praise, Bria, Libby, Olivia, Shannon, Cherry and Tracey for there outstanding work and professionalism, there passion shows and has positively affected the children.
If you are looking through this nurseries reviews to consider making a decision for your childs attendance here i would strongly consider the facts stated here to conclude your decision.
YF
Yanique Francis
Oct 30, 2025
5.0
We are extremely happy with the care and education provided at Busy Bees Shenley. The staff are professional, caring, and highly qualified, offering a personalised approach to each child’s development. My child enjoys a range of stimulating activities, both indoors and outdoors, which promote creativity and social growth.
The nursery is clean, well-equipped, and welcoming, creating a positive environment for learning. Communication with parents is excellent and also using the Busy Bees App, with regular updates and a strong focus on partnership. I’ve always felt informed and reassured about my child’s progress.
Overall, Busy Bees Shenley provides a nurturing and enriching experience, and I highly recommend it to other parents looking for quality Childcare.
Frequently Asked Questions About Busy Bees at Shenley
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 Shenley?
Busy Bees at Shenley is open Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 18:00 and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. The nursery is also closed on public holidays such as December 25 and 26.
Can I pay for hourly childcare at Busy Bees nurseries?
No, Busy Bees nurseries do not offer hourly childcare. You need to book a minimum of two half sessions or one full day per week.
Does Busy Bees at Shenley provide meals and snacks for children?
Yes, all meals and snacks, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, are included in the nursery fee and cater to dietary requirements and allergies.
Are there outdoor play areas at Busy Bees nurseries?
Yes, all Busy Bees nurseries have fully equipped outdoor spaces designed to promote learning and creative play, such as mud kitchens and trikes.
Do Busy Bees nurseries provide nappies for children?
Provision of nappies varies by nursery. Some nurseries include nappies for children under 2, while others ask parents to provide them. Please check with your local nursery.
How can I book a visit to Busy Bees at Shenley?
You can book a visit through the nursery's website at https://www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/book-a-visit/shenley/gmbl.
What nearby amenities can help parents visiting Busy Bees at Shenley?
Nearby amenities include Tesco Express for convenient shopping, Tesco Bank for financial services, and Crown Pharmacy for health needs, helping parents complete errands around nursery visits.
Are there dining options close to Busy Bees at Shenley for quick meals?
Yes, nearby dining options include Shenley Traditional Fish & Chips, Shenley Top Wok offering Chinese and Italian cuisine, and L'Italiana Shenley for Italian food and bar service.
What health services are available near Busy Bees at Shenley?
Nearby health services include Gateways Surgery for general medical care, Gingerbread House Dental and Health Centre for dentistry, and Essentially Medical for additional health needs.
What is the UP app related to Busy Bees nurseries?
The UP app is Busy Bees' unique learning programme and app for children aged 0 to 5, providing activities and expert advice to support children's development in and out of nursery.
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