Question 1

Can I pay for hourly childcare?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Can my child come to nursery for just one day a week?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Do I need to pay extra for meals and snacks while my child is at nursery?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

Do you offer creche facilities?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

Do you offer funded places?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

Do you offer taster sessions?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

Do you provide nappies?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

Do your nurseries have gardens?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

How do I find my nearest nursery?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

How do I set up an account for UP?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

How will I know if my child is settling in?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

I don't have a child at a Busy Bees nursery; can I use the UP app?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

My child's a really fussy eater. Can I send them to nursery with a packed lunch?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

What will I find on the UP app?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

What's the UP app?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 16

What’s an Enrolment Event?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

Where can I find the UP app?

Accepted Answer

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.

Kids 1st - QE Gateshead

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