Busy Bees Colchester Stanway

342 London Road, Stanway, Colchester CO3 8LT
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8.6 43 Reviews
  • Busy Bees Colchester Stanway, Colchester
Busy Bees Colchester Stanway has been purpose-built to achieve quality childcare standards, inviting parents with children from six weeks old until the transition into junior school. Well-resourced facilities are enhanced by the benefits of a large outdoor play area, while parents enjoy a private car park for convenient drop-offs and collections.

Throughout the nursery, each age group benefits from dedicated spaces, both indoors and outside, making it possible for each child to develop at a pace they are comfortable with alongside those at a similar stage. The nursery also boasts a separate dining area, where all children can enjoy a variety of meals and snacks prepared by the on-site chef.

The team at Busy Bees work hard to ensure parents are involved with their child's time at the nursery. The Parent Room and the ‘ParentZone’ app makes it possible for you to communicate with the nursery team, follow your child's development and discuss any concerns whilst also making sure you never miss out on any key milestones.

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Care Provided by Busy Bees Colchester Stanway

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Gina Kettle (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 24
  • Total Places for Children
  • 139
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays

Busy Bees Colchester Stanway Reviews (43)

Total of 43, showing 1-20
8.6

Busy Bees Colchester Stanway has a Review Score of 8.6 (8.647) out of 10, based on 5 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Busy Bees Colchester Stanway has 43 reviews.

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Review from N S (Mother of Child) published on 19 March 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff are what makes this nursery so special, they are so warming and supportive and my son loves being there.
We are always greeted with a smile and everyone knows his name which makes such a difference.
I cannot fault the nursery in anyway. Overall a very happy, friendly, safe place and I always
feel comfortable leaving my little boy in their hands.

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Review from Mary K (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff have welcomed us to the nursery and settled our child in so well. The care and activities they provide is amazing. We love it here.

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Review from M K (Father of Child) published on 10 July 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Amazing nursery. Staff are so welcoming and friendly. Nursery always clean and inviting. My son lives it there, always smiling and happy to go. Lovely gardens and great variety on menus.
Updates and photos on the app daily. I feel reassured and happy leaving my son in the mornings.

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Review from Caprice B (Mother of Child) published on 1 July 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child has been at this nursery since she was 9 months old and she has now just turned 2. We have had really good experiences in each room she has moved into and she really enjoys coming in each morning. The staff have always been so welcoming and lovely the minute we walk through the door and always
make time for my child which has been lovely.

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Review from L C (Grandmother of Child) published on 22 September 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My grandson is so happy here. The staff really care about the well-being of the children and go above and beyond to ensure that their needs are always met. They prepare them for school to enable the child to transition with no fears.
The food given to them is varied and healthy.
I cannot express
enough how wonderful the nursery is run with the children’s needs always paramount.
I feel my grandson is safe here. I love the app so we can see what he has eaten and the wonderful pictures they take when he is doing activities.

Reply from Emily Graves, Digital Content Assistant at Busy Bees Colchester Stanway

Hello, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a wonderful review! We’re glad you have given your little one the best start in life with us. Best wishes, Busy Bees


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Review from Tony B (Father of Child) published on 1 November 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Stanway Busy Bees was the best choice we made as a family, my son started five months ago and has settled in amazingly. All the staff are friendly and welcoming and reassure you from the start. My son loves coming to nursery every day and has developed so well since starting. Management are ever so
helpful, it is always looking so clean and inviting. They have a good range of meals including all dietary requirements. We couldn’t thank everyone at Stanway enough for all they have done for our little boy.

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Review from Courteney P (Mother of Child) published on 1 November 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little girl started Busy Bees two months ago. We’ve been welcomed by the manager and deputy of the setting and nothing is too much. They have supported and helped the starting/settling in process brilliantly. The girls in the room have welcomed and helped settle her in fabulously. Each day to hear
of all the fun she has had definitely reassured a nervous mummy on her daughter starting nursery for the first time. Would recommend the service and high standards of the nursery to anyone looking to have their child start.

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Review from Danni F (Mother of Child) published on 19 October 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Can't praise this nursery enough. Absolutely excellent in all areas I would highly recommend. Management and staff are so efficient, well trained and helpful. The children are all very happy and well cared for.

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Review from S C (Mother of Child) published on 19 October 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Busy Bees Stanway is a fantastic establishment. My child was born during lockdown so has not has much social interaction with other children. I booked a show around which we attended and any doubts I had about sending my child to the nursery was instantly squashed. The nursery is clean, tidy and even
for a short period of time I was there you could see how much the staff cared about the children.
Since my child started at the nursery he has flourished and his confidence level has exceeded. He runs off in the morning happily. His key worker is amazing and constantly updates us on his progress through regular observations and pictures. Each room has its own outdoor play space too.
Management are amazing and answer any questions I have instantly. All staff are very knowledgable, caring and you can see the love they have for their jobs.
I have no doubt in my mind that I have done the right thing by choosing Busy Bees Stanway as a nursery for my little one.

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Review from Joan s (Mother of Child) published on 19 October 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little girl attends this nursery and absolutely loves it she has gained so much confidence through going here and all of the staff are amazing and very friendly I have no worries about my child during the day as I know she is having the most amazing time and is developing because of the staff.

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Review from Tamsin B (Mother of Child) published on 19 October 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are so lucky we found such a lovely nursery for our daughter, she loves going to Busy Bees and is happy to be left with the wonderful staff in her room that has made her feel so welcome and have really helped her in both her learning and encouraging her to try lots of different foods (fussy eater
) which I’m so grateful for. I will definitely be recommending the nursery to family and friends.

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Review from Chloe J (Mother of Child) published on 19 October 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been at Busy Bees for nearly a year now and absolutely loves every day she spends there. The staff are so caring and attentive to all of her needs as well as supportive and reassuring to me!
She always comes home and talks about all of the exciting activities she has done and is keen
to show off the creative artwork she brings home.
I cannot recommend the nursery enough.

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Review from Dale W (Father of Child) published on 13 October 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We chose Busy Bees Stanway for our child as we felt like it was perfect for us, we felt welcomed, happy and friendly atmosphere.
They made us feel so welcome and our child seemed very happy to attend, we were very pleased with the way they approached us on the first morning.
We have had nothing but
amazing feedback and are very happy that our child has settled in already.
All staff are friendly and approachable, which we loved.
We were happy we found a nursery with such a healthy and amazing looking menu this was important for us.

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Review from Hannah P (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am incredibly happy with my sons progress since starting in January. He started with delayed speech and wouldn't say any words and within a month he is attempting all words and using his speech more. I tried him at a previous nursery where he refused to go in. Busy Bees changed his perception of being
left and he is the happiest child every time I pick him up. All of the staff are so lovely and his key worker has been amazing since day one. Thank you so much!

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Review from Rachel S (Mother of Child) published on 14 April 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

An amazing nursery. The staff couldn't do more for the children they care for. My son has developed so much since being at Busy Bees. His key worker is so caring and has helped my son with his social skills so much, going from a shy child who struggled to make friends to a confident child with lots
of friends. Couldn't be happier.

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Review from L M (Mother of Child) published on 11 April 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Busy Bees at Colchester Stanway is a large nursery which offers plenty of activities for the children and a great opportunity to make new friends. The staff are friendly and very attentive to each child's need, such as assisting with speech, language development and spotting the need to make a specialist
referral if required. Each room has its own outdoor space and they encourage lots of outdoor play all year round. My child love building a snowman! This setting is extremely clean and the food is cooked onsite, is nutritional and my fussy child is happy to eat it. They encourage self-feeding and independence from a young age. He will be sad to leave he starts school later this year.

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Review from Michelle C (Mother of Child) published on 9 April 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Busy Bees Stanway is a fantastic nursery. Our little boy has attended for 3 years now and he absolutely loves it. He learns so much and has fun every day. All the staff are brilliant and genuinely care about the children. The nursery is run well and everything is always very well organised. I recommend
the nursery all the time and cannot praise it highly enough.

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Review from L P (Mother of Child) published on 4 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son started at Busy Bees at Colchester Stanway last September, following a poor experience at another nursery. We were really worried about how he would settle but the staff have built such a good relationship with him and he loves it there. It’s a brilliant nursery with a great setting, lots of
interactive activities and very caring staff.

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Review from Robert H (Father of Child) published on 4 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Busy Bees at Colchester Stanway has provided us with high quality childcare over several years. Staff are welcoming, supportive, skilled in their roles and always professional. As parents, this gives us confidence that we have left our children in the best possible place and they have always looked
forward to returning each week. The nursery itself is well equipped, the food menus are varied and each day attended is full of activity. We have compared other day nurseries over time and are satisfied that Busy Bees at Colchester Stanway remains the stand out choice. Thank you to all the staff, especially during such a difficult twelve months with the challenges this has presented for you on top of your day to day roles.

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Review from C C (Mother of Child) published on 27 May 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughters keyworker and room leader are amazing. They are helping me with my daughters speech. My daughter has come on leaps and bounds. She is always happy and excited to see her room teachers.

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Current Review Score: 8.6 (8.647)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.6 (8.647) out of 10 for Busy Bees Colchester Stanway is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 5 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.7 out of 5 from 5 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:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.967 for Busy Bees Colchester Stanway is calculated as follows: ( (58 Excellents x 5) + (2 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 60 Ratings = 4.967

  • b) 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 3.68 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Busy Bees Colchester Stanway is based on 5 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 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 = 3.5

    • ii) 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 139 number of registered child places is 27.8. 5 Positive Reviews ÷ 27.8 = 0.18

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • 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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Meet the Team (1)

Gina

Gina Kettle

Job Title: Centre Director

Hello, I am Gina Kettle the Centre Director of Busy Bees in Colchester Stanway.


I qualified with an NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing in 1996, since then I have continually worked in day nurseries with all ages of children from 0-8 years. I obtained my Foundation Degree in Early Years in 2014. I am passionate about working with children and enjoy creating positive and safe environments where the children and staff can flourish. I hope that you enjoy browsing our nursery website and that you find the information that you need. You can find out more about myself and my fantastic staff team here. I would love to show you around our beautiful nursery and introduce you to our team - you can book a visit here.


Frequently Asked Questions about Busy Bees Colchester Stanway

What is the Age Range of Children that Busy Bees Colchester Stanway accepts?

Busy Bees Colchester Stanway accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Busy Bees Colchester Stanway Open?

Busy Bees Colchester Stanway is open: Monday 07:30-18:30, Tuesday 07:30-18:30, Wednesday 07:30-18:30, Thursday 07:30-18:30, Friday 07:30-18:30.

How many Children does Busy Bees Colchester Stanway have capacity for?

Busy Bees Colchester Stanway has capacity for a total of 139 Children.

How far is Busy Bees Colchester Stanway to the centre of Colchester?

3.7 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Busy Bees Colchester Stanway to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Busy Bees Colchester Stanway has an Enhanced Service – more info.