Busy Bees Harlow

The Greenway, Harlow Business Park, Harlow CM19 5QE
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9.4 78 Reviews
  • Busy Bees Harlow, Harlow
Busy Bees Harlow is a purpose-built, single-storey nursery, designed with endless learning opportunities for children. The children can access the spacious and well-equipped garden areas where they are encouraged to explore their imagination. The nursery also provides a ‘Grow Your Own’ project, in which the children can get involved in digging and caring for fruit and veg.

The experienced and qualified staff are committed to giving children the best start in life and providing excellent care for all children, so they are supported, safe and well looked after whilst at the nursery. With secure key fob access and onsite CCTV, you can be rest assured your child is safe and supported.

To ensure that your child has the best time at nursery, there are a wide variety of fun filled activities and excellent learning resources available to cater for every child’s needs and interests. The nursery team plans and prepares activities in line with the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) curriculum so that your little one can learn whilst having fun during their stay at nursery. Following the EYFS curriculum will help support your child to prepare for the next key stage.

The nursery has a talented Chef who not only prepares delicious and nutritious food in line with the NHS-accredited menus and individual dietary requirements, but also cooks with seasonal produce to give children the opportunity to experience different colours, textures and tastes.

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Care Provided by Busy Bees Harlow

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Kim Shinn and Louise Christie (Centre Directors)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 25
  • Total Places for Children
  • 121
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays

Busy Bees Harlow Reviews (78)

Total of 78, showing 1-20
9.4

Busy Bees Harlow has a Review Score of 9.4 (9.440) out of 10, based on 12 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Busy Bees Harlow has 78 reviews.

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Review from L L (Mother of Child) published on 4 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Happy with Busy Bees Harlow. My son has settled really well all the staff are lovely, so overall very happy with everything. The food is really nice too my son always eats everything so he seems very happy with it.

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Review from Corina S (Mother of Child) published on 19 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I really wanted for my son to attend this nursery because I heard it's the best nursery in Harlow and I do not regret that I picked it. In a few months, my son has learned English and has changed completely in a good way. I don't have words to thank all the staff for their attention towards my son.
Everyone is very lovely and I definitely recommend this amazing nursery.

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Review from M S (Mother of Child) published on 18 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Busy Bees Harlow have been great in helping my daughter settle into nursery coming from a childminder. Comforting her and me and ensuring that it is a seamless transition. In the 3 weeks, I can see a massive improvement in her confidence, independence, and intelligence.

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Review from Agnieszka B (Mother of Child) published on 18 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I'm quite happy with the service the nursery provides. My child is settled totally and likes coming every day. I can see a huge difference in his development, especially when he learns new skills I didn't know how to teach him.

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Review from Rachel B (Mother of Child) published on 18 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Cannot fault Busy Bees Harlow, they managed the transition to the next room up for my little one so well that he settled immediately. He has thrived since being at this nursery. His development is evident to see.

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Review from Ashleigh R (Mother of Child) published on 18 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Staff are always friendly and supportive. They are knowledgeable and caring. My child runs into the nursery every day showing he is happy to be there and enjoys his time. The app is great and updates are regular and informative. Photos posted to the app show my child is engaging and socialising well.
The food is well prepared and nutritious. Although expensive, you get what you pay for!
The only bad part is that the outside space could be bigger or have different areas to play in as it only has a small fake grass area.

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Review from Emma L (Mother of Child) published on 18 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Over the moon with the service Busy Bees Harlow provide. My daughter is so happy there and I drop her off knowing that she's well cared for. The systems they have in place are easy and effective. The staff are friendly and caring. Highly recommend.

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Review from P T (Mother of Child) published on 18 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my daughters have attended Busy Bees. We were very picky when choosing a nursery and they ticked all the boxes. The key workers are all amazing and my daughters love them. We have never had any concerns and have seen such growth in their development. Highly recommend them for anyone looking for
a place to send their little ones.

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Review from Sarah M (Mother of Child) published on 1 November 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter started here at 9 months old. It was incredibly challenging to start leaving her at nursery but every single member of staff we met made it easier. They are all so friendly and welcoming, you can tell that they love what they do. They were so patient with my daughter as she got used to things
and so thoughtful with their updates in the app during the day. We visited several nurseries and this was the best one for us. The second we walked in, we could tell how well-run it was and how great the people were. Now that we've been there a while, we are even more assured that we made the right choice. The team create some wonderful activities for the children and they take time to incorporate things that build on their interests at home or family days out. My daughter has gone from a baby to a cheeky toddler and she is learning so much each day at Busy Bees. I couldn't be happier with every aspect of the nursery and I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing how my child continues to thrive there.

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Review from S M (Mother of Child) published on 18 September 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Busy Bees have meant so much to our family, they are kind, thoughtful and caring. My child absolutely loved the nursery and we are very sad to leave. The nursery is led well, and the staff are visibly motivated and happy. I have no hesitation in recommending the setting, and am thankful for our time
there.

Reply from Emily Graves, Digital Content Assistant at Busy Bees Harlow

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 Mairead L (Mother of Child) published on 21 August 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have been using Busy Bees for six years now, and I have only positive things to say. Both my children have been extremely happy in their time here. They are very content going to the nursery and are always smiling at the end of the day. The staff are amazing and keep us updated on development and
learning. I would highly recommend Busy Bees Harlow to my friends. I am very sad that my time attending the nursery with my children is coming to an end. Keep up the fantastic work.

Reply from Emily Graves, Digital Content Assistant at Busy Bees Harlow

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.
40 years of Busy Bees – 40 years of best beginnings. Celebrate our milestone year with us! Visit our Busy Bees website or search for ’40 years Busy Bees’, and find out more and how to join us. We’re grateful for your trust and the opportunity to provide your child with the best start in life. Best wishes, Busy Bees.


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Review from Leanne A (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been at the nursery since she was 10 months old and is now leaving to head to Primary school at 4 years old. Our daughter absolutely loves going to the nursery with her heading (sometimes running) into her class each morning without a care or worry in the world, what more can you ask
for. The staff at the nursery are just brilliant, nothing is ever too much trouble, they all work so hard and you really do feel part of a nursery community, I really could not praise them high enough. The app used to keep you up to date each day on their activities, learning stories, photos etc is always updated which gives you the reassurance throughout the day that your little one is all ok. As a full-time working mum knowing our daughter is so well cared for and has such a fantastic time each day really does take that pressure off. We will all be sad to say goodbye to the nursery when the time comes, I honestly could not recommend the nursery highly enough.

Reply from Emily Graves, Digital Content Assistant at Busy Bees Harlow

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.
40 years of Busy Bees – 40 years of best beginnings. Celebrate our milestone year with us! We’re grateful for your trust and the opportunity to provide your child with the best start in life. Best wishes, Busy Bees


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Review from B G (Mother of Child) published on 5 October 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughters have both been at Busy Bees since they were one year old. They have always loved going in every day as they have so much fun and think the ladies are all wonderful. I have always felt they were in safe hands and their development is well looked after. My eldest has just graduated and we
were very sad to leave nursery, but her transition to school was seamless as Busy Bees had given her a wonderful start. We are happy that our second child is still at nursery so we get to stay in contact. I would recommend this nursery to everyone, it's really wonderful.

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Review from Katie C (Mother of Child) published on 30 September 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We looked at a handful of nurseries with our first child and this nursery stood out for so many reasons. Our daughter absolutely loved it from day one and I don't believe we were lucky, I think it was down to the nursery staff. We have since placed our second child here and she too has absolutely loved
it. I can genuinely say that there is nothing that I think they can improve on. Just continue to maintain the high standard of service throughout the nursery. Being able to go to work and not having to worry means so much and knowing how happy they are to be there, is priceless! We are so thankful and couldn't recommend them enough.

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Review from Cassie D (Mother of Child) published on 30 September 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child has been attending the nursery for the last three years. She absolutely loves it there and so do we. They always have something going on and come up with great activities for the children. The staff are fantastic, they really care for all the children and are a great extension of our family.
A few friends recommended Busy Bees spanning the last 8/9 years and it has been consistently good. We would highly recommend Busy Bees, Harlow and have done to other parents. We will be very sad when our child leaves for school next year.

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Review from P C (Mother of Child) published on 27 September 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little girl just started at nursery and she is growing more and more every day. It's clear she loves it and learns something new daily. Honestly love the staff, always smiling and friendly and genuinely, my little girl is starting to grow such a strong bond already. The staff's communication with
me after her day at nursery and throughout, enlighten me on how she is feeling and what she got up to. I know she honestly is the happiest little girl, when I come and pick her up and she tells me about her friends and her day! The pictures that are uploaded on the app, are such a lovely way to ease my anxious feelings about if she's okay, which she always is. Nothing I can fault, brilliant Busy Bees! Thank you for always having a lovely environment for my child to grow in and learn every day!

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Review from C H (Mother of Child) published on 24 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child loves going to Busy Bees. The staff come up with fun and creative activities every day, often based on things we’ve been doing as a family. We get regular catch-ups with key workers and staff, both in person and through the app.

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Review from E G (Mother of Child) published on 24 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This nursery is a great place for your child to grow up in, everything is perfect, staff very nice and caring. My child is very happy there.
Thank you to you all for providing the best start in life for our children.

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Review from L G (Mother of Child) published on 19 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot recommend or thank Busy Bees Harlow enough for looking after my son. He has attended since he was 13 months old and now at 2.5yrs he still absolutely loves it there. The amazing support the staff there give the parents also is top service. Through times of putting my son in as a baby, worries
through covid times and anxiety around how he grows up every step you are reassured and looked after as much as your child. Thank you all and keep up the great work.

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Review from Katie P (Mother of Child) published on 19 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Beautiful purpose built nursery in a central location of Harlow, close to the train station, town, industrial estates etc. Every element of my child’s learning is taken into account and the resources provided support and enable her learning and development. There are lots of natural and ‘real life’
equipment that promotes creativity and imagination and less of the brightly coloured plastic toys. Care is incredible and I have always felt that the staff genuinely love my children and enjoys spending time with them. Activities are open ended and linked to experiences at home. Staff are knowledgeable, professional, polite, hard working and experienced. The food is healthy, fresh, varied and plentiful with a friendly chef cooking on site. The managers have years of experience and are truly dedicated to making the nursery the best place for my child. The nursery is clean with additional procedures in place since Covid. My child is safe and I wouldn’t send her anywhere else!

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Current Review Score: 9.4 (9.440)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.4 (9.440) out of 10 for Busy Bees Harlow is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 12 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.5 out of 5 from 12 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 4.944 for Busy Bees Harlow is calculated as follows: ( (136 Excellents x 5) + (6 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 143 Ratings = 4.944

  • 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 4.496 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Busy Bees Harlow is based on 12 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 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • 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 121 number of registered child places is 24.2. 12 Positive Reviews ÷ 24.2 = 0.496

  • 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 (2)

Kim And Louise

Kim And Louise

Job Title: Centre Manager

Joined: 1996

Hi,
We are Kim and Louise, Joint Managers here at Busy bees Harlow and between us we have over a whopping 40 years experience in childcare, NNEB and NVQ Level 3 qualifications and are both NVQ assessors. We have been at Harlow since 1996.
During this time we have enjoyed working with every age group of children as nursery nurses and deputy managers, and we now job share the role of Manager, enjoying working alongside the most amazing, caring and educated staff we can find.
Our specialist skills include child protection training, mentoring our team and our Busy bees initiatives, Wake & Shake (Kim’s fav), Grow your Own(Louise’s fav) Busy Babies, Babble to Chatter, Imagination Station and completing our NDNA Quality Assurance award.
Our own 4 children have attended Busy Bees Harlow and experience of the wonders of Busy Bees and nursery life just like your child can.
So why not come and meet us and see how much fun your child could have here at Harlow.


Hayley

Hayley

Job Title: Assistant Manager

Joined: 2014

Hi my name is Hayley, I joined Busy Bees in 2014. After completing Level 3 in childcare, I worked as a childminding assistant. Alongside this, I attended Anglia Ruskin University, where I graduated with a BA Hons in Education and Childhood Studies (Level 6). I have 11 years’ experience working within childcare, I am first aid at work and paediatric first aid trained. I am based in our 3-5 year old rooms, I love watching the children's personalities grow and helping to support and prepare the children for their transitions into school. Alongside this I am the nurseries EYFS representative, helping to support and monitor the education and planning in each age group. I am also the nursery SENCo and help support the children, staff and parents where required.


Frequently Asked Questions about Busy Bees Harlow

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

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

What Days & Hours is Busy Bees Harlow Open?

Busy Bees Harlow is open: Monday 08:00-18:00, Tuesday 08:00-18:00, Wednesday 08:00-18:00, Thursday 08:00-18:00, Friday 08:00-18:00.

How many Children does Busy Bees Harlow have capacity for?

Busy Bees Harlow has capacity for a total of 121 Children.

How far is Busy Bees Harlow to the centre of Harlow?

1.7 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 Harlow to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Busy Bees Harlow has an Enhanced Service – more info.