Busy Bees Bernard Street

52 Bernard Street, St Albans AL3 5QN
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9.5 40 Reviews
  • Busy Bees Bernard Street, St Albans
Busy Bees Bernard Street is a purpose build, single story childcare centre based in St. Albans which provides a wide range of activities and resources to accommodate every child’s individual needs and interests.

The nursery welcomes children from 3 months to five years with 3 colourful rooms to cater for each age group. In each room there are secure garden areas so that the children can enjoy some refreshing outdoor play. There is a free flow environment throughout the nursery so that the children have the option to explore the indoors and outdoors. The enthusiastic team at Bernard Street strive to provide the best care for your child to support your child’s development, with a range of indoor and outdoor activities to help ensure your child’s mind and body stay active throughout the day.

Busy Bees Bernard Street caters for all dietary requirements with their on-site Chef who prepares delicious and nutritious menus using NHS accredited menus for your little one to tuck into throughout the day.

The experienced team are passionate about quality childcare and giving all the children the best start in life. They are provided with access to training opportunities from Busy Bees and the Local Authority, to ensure they can maintain your child with the best quality care.

By using the Parent Zone app, it allows parents to receive regular updates about their child’s day at nursery. This is a wonderful way to stay connected throughout your child’s time at nursery, so that you know all the exciting and fun activities your child took part in. Busy Bees also encourage parents to use their learning and development app, UP, which offers a range of activities that can also be done at home.

Want to learn more about the fantastic facilities and meet the friendly team at Busy Bees nursery Bernard Street? Book a visit today and the team will look forward to welcoming you!

Care Provided by Busy Bees Bernard Street

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Kerri Fennemore (Centre Director)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 20
  • Total Places for Children
  • 63
  • 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 & Christmas
  • Parking
  • Parking is available on site for up to 11 cars.


    Parents are welcome to use the car park for drop off and pick up and visitors are welcome to use the car park while on a tour.


Busy Bees Bernard Street Reviews (40)

Total of 40, showing 21-40
9.5

Busy Bees Bernard Street has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.477) out of 10, based on 10 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Busy Bees Bernard Street has 40 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our child started at Busy Bees at Bernard Street just before lockdown, and all of the staff were really accommodating and went the extra mile to help him, and me, adjust to the situation! My son, initially upset to be left, soon settled very quickly and seemed very comfortable with all of the staff.
We returned to the nursery as soon as it reopened, and the precautions which have been put in place put my mind at ease. I was concerned that my son would struggle to settle again having only been for a few weeks, but the staff were very understanding and being in smaller bubbles meant he was able to re-familiarise with his key worker as well as interact with a small number of children. I really couldn't recommend Busy Bees at Bernard Street enough, and have 100% positive interactions with all of the staff. I feel very comfortable leaving my son in their care.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son started in the baby room in February 2019. The girls and the manager have been great. Whenever I visit, there is a warm feeling; all the staff are friendly. My son is now in the middle room, and the consistency in the care he receives in different rooms is great. I always feel comfortable and
safe leaving my son. Thank you very much, Busy Bees, for helping my son.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My niece is always talking about nursery and now much she loves it. The staff are always very welcoming.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My daughter has been at the nursery for a year now and she has developed really well. She enjoys going to nursery, her confidence has improved and she tries new things, always being encouraged by the team there. Even though there have been some periods of instability with the team, my daughter doesn't
seem to been affected. I feel that the team take a lot of time and care to get to know her and develop activities to support her continued development. I would happily recommend the nursery.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter loves going into Busy Bees at Bernard Street. The staff are wonderful with her and she has built such strong relationships with them. She is developing so well as a result.
The food is lovely - such variety and nutritious.
Thank you to all the staff at Busy Bees Bernard Street - it is
definitely a home from home.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Staff are friendly and communicate well. We like that the meals are nutritious and freshly made, our toddler seems very happy with his key person and we are too!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

A very friendly, considerate and thoughtful nursery. Our child loves attending and we feel relaxed as parents knowing they are in trusted hands.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We've put both our children through Busy Bees on Bernard Street. From their 1st birthday into the Baby Room, through Honey Bees and into pre-school. At every stage of their development, our kids have been supported and nurtured, sometimes through quite long days to fit in around our working patterns.
They've formed close bonds with many of the staff and this has clearly been reciprocated. The interaction with all the other kids has helped them become better adjusted to life outside the family unit and with the additional structure of pre-school, our eldest made a seamless transition into reception class at school, despite not knowing many other kids in his new class.
The early start and late finishes have helped us to combine careers in London with the demands of a young family and when your kids are smiling on pick-up, it helps to assuage the guilty. Highly recommended.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All three of my children have attended Busy Bees on Bernard Street, and my youngest is in the preschool room. I've found the standard of care to be excellent and the team is both caring and committed. The nursery has provided a strong foundation for school and all three of the girls have loved their
time at the nursery. My only complaint is that it is expensive compared to other nurseries in St Albans.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child joined in February 2019 and I have noticed how much he looks forward to going to nursery every day.
They have unique activities to keep the children entertained and interested.
The staff are very polite and always approach you with a smile.
I also like the fact that I get a real-time update
on my child's daily activities; feeding, sleep, etc. through a secure phone app.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been in the nursery a year now. Although there have been a few changes I am happy that it is still so positive. I really like the new manager and I feel she brings fresh and positive energy to the nursery. My daughter has learnt so much! The extended opening hours really help also.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son loves being at Busy Bees, he always comes home excited and stimulated by the day’s events. The nursery nurses are all lovely and are caring and genuinely love their jobs. There is delicious freshly prepared food every day and in fact I think most days my son eats better than I do! He loves the
mixture of activities on offer and I can’t fault it.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son goes to nursery on a Tuesday and is there all day. He loves the staff that work there and has always had a busy day there which is what he needs. Would recommend the nursery to my friends.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My daughter loves going there every day. We had a very easy transition so I did not feel bad leaving her. Everybody who I have met so far are extremely friendly and professional. She is very well looked after and having a colourful palette of activities. I can only recommend Busy Bees Bernard Street
to my friends and colleagues.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I love the nursery. It's been fantastic for my one year old. She is so happy there! It's always clean. There is always fun things for the kids to do. The staff are calm friendly and consistent.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been attending Busy Bees Bernard Street since May at the age of 14 months. I was very anxious as a first-time mum to leave her for a day each week as she had only ever been away from me for a maximum of an hour previously. From the moment I got there I had a feeling that she was in fantastic
hands and even though I felt the guilt to be leaving her I didn't have to worry which was a huge weight off my shoulders. It did take her a little while to settle in but since then every time I pick her up she says hello and gives me a cuddle and then wants to go back down again to play and stay there! I can tell she absolutely adores her key worker and all the other staff are fantastic with her. Even though she is only there for a day each week she seems to pick things up so quickly and starts singing some of the songs she has heard at nursery. I would 100% recommend anyone to send their child to this nursery.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both myself and my husband would strongly recommend Busy Bees. The staff are extremely welcoming and accommodating to my childs needs; taking special care with food and toilet training which as a parent has been helpful.
Since starting Busy Bees my son has improved greatly with speech and eating.
In particular, we have noticed a wonderful development in his attitude. He has become outgoing and active and we strongly believe the staff at Busy Bees has played a huge role with this.
He always looks forward to going.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son is full-time at Busy Bees and is very happy there.


The staff genuinely care about the children and their development.


The menu is fantastic and carefully planned.


The facilities are great and there is a lovely outdoor play space.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have really enjoyed watching my little boy thrive at this nursery. It is a friendly environment and there is a great range of activities for him to get involved in. I also like that there is always access to the outside space. The staff are always very helpful and the nursery is small enough that
they all get to know your child personally, regardless which room they are in.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Really brilliant little nursery. My two children are bouncing after a day here. I feel confident that they are being well looked after and cared for. Everyone knows everyone and there is a real family feel to it. It has a lovely relaxed atmosphere which helps the children and parents feel part of it
and confident in their surrounding. Great admin team who are quick to respond and happy to help. My children are kept entertained and do a huge variety of activities, including lots of garden time which I personally feel is very important.

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Current Review Score: 9.5 (9.477)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.5 (9.477) out of 10 for Busy Bees Bernard Street is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 10 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.8 out of 5 from 10 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 4.683 for Busy Bees Bernard Street is calculated as follows: ( (85 Excellents x 5) + (32 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 120 Ratings = 4.683

  • 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 4.794 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Busy Bees Bernard Street is based on 10 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 63 number of registered child places is 12.6. 10 Positive Reviews ÷ 12.6 = 0.794

  • 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)

Kerri

Kerri Fennemore

Job Title: Centre Director

Hello, my name is Kerri and I am the Centre Director here at St Albans Bernard Street. 


I have worked in childcare for 15 years and have worked for Busy Bees for 8 years now. 


I am passionate about our team providing the best care, knowledge and support to each child in our care.
 
I enjoy supporting children, parents and staff to care, support and help their children grow and learn each day, providing new and exciting opportunities for each child based on their individual interests. 


I look forward to welcoming you and your family here at Bernard Street.