Submit a Review for Busy Bees Reading International
Basingstoke Road, (behind the Verizon Building), Reading, RG2 6DA
View Full Details of Busy Bees Reading InternationalLatest Reviews for Busy Bees Reading International
24 April 2024
Our daughter's been at Busy Bees, 5 days a week for two and a half years. Deciding where she'd go to spend such a huge amount of time in her early years was very difficult, but we've felt comfortable in our decision to send her to Busy Bees - helped by seeing her thrive and develop skills at sometimes startling speed. She usually seems happy and certainly has lots of friends. The staff are kind, friendly, and engaged, and the environment feels safe and bright. The centre director is well-organised, informed, and responsive to queries. The food is good - she often eats better than I do! - and the rooms are clean, feel clean and comfortable. There's also a good amount of variety in the activities they get up to, and she hears, learns about and participates in a wide range of multicultural events and celebrations. We love the rich multicultural environment and I feel it is fantastic for her to be given early exposure to the differences in people that make up our diverse community.
04 April 2024
Busy Bees has been excellent for my son (2 years old), although he only goes in twice a week they have still catered to all his needs. I particularly love the app where they constantly update his activities, food, nappies, sleep and naps. His key teacher is super nice and friendly to him, she is always looking after him well. My son has always enjoyed going to nursery! The director of the centre is superb and always responds to our queries promptly! The nursery is also very well-maintained and clean!
04 April 2024
My son has been thriving at nursery since starting there 6 months ago. He is always very keen to go to his key caretakers and always happy when I pick him up. I really appreciate the transparency of the nursery around how my son’s day was and anything that might have happened. I can see my son is well stimulated at nursery and they put a lot of effort into including him in all the activities like water playing, arts and crafts and sensory activities. Lastly, the nursery has been very respectful and accommodating on any request I might have on how I’d like something to be done e.g. weaning or following a certain routine when he was younger that was a bit different from the older babies. It’s hard as a mother to leave your baby in someone else’s hands for the whole day, but I quickly got to trust the caretakers and cannot wait to see how my son continues to thrive and reach his milestones as he approaches his first birthday.
03 April 2024
We have had a very disappointing experience with our 9 month old at Busy Bees Reading. Unfortunately it appears that they are not very inclusive and open to the mindset that every child is different and develops at their own pace. Instead they have seem to think our baby shows abnormal behavioural characteristics after only 2 settling in sessions and hence do not want him to start before they discuss it with their inclusion team even though there are actually no clinical concerns as diagnosed by a paediatrician. We have had very limited communication with them since then. They do not seem to want to help or support a baby's development in any way. Shocking given the reputation the company holds. We have decided to pull him out and the staff member over the phone just said 'OK that's fine' and 'I'll issue you a refund' and did not seem to care or at least ask why were are doing this..
27 March 2024
I couldn’t be happier with Busy Bees. The staff are so kind and caring, they all know my daughter and my baby girl absolutely loves them all. I can see she is happy when she goes and always comes back very happy. I am grateful for everyone who looks after her and makes her feel important, loved and cared about. It’s a home away from home.
27 March 2024
My son has been attending this nursery since the age of 1, since attending 3 days a week he’s come a long way with walking and more importantly communication, he’s always very happy to go to nursery and I always get told he’s had a very good day, I get daily updates with how he’s eaten and also pictures of what he’s doing reassuring me as a first-time dad that he’s having a great time. The staff and management are lovely and very welcoming, they always give such positive feedback and always communicate with any events going on or any additional information they may have. Overall this is a great nursery and I couldn't be happier with the positive experience that we as a family are having.
26 March 2024
Busy Bees is a warm and friendly environment, providing a home-from-home for my son. He has bonded so well with his key workers and management, who are always present and involved. There are regular spontaneous activities that take place which see both parents and staff getting involved and having fun with the children, it’s during these times I've seen how passionate and responsive staff are to the children in their care. We are very happy to be starting our daughter next summer.
26 March 2024
We are parents to a 2-year-old boy who is at nursery at Busy Bees Reading. This nursery has been exceptional for our little one. He has been here full time since 12 months old and the experience he has had as well as the care they have given him in the baby's room has been amazing! The staff truly care about the children, give him so much love, he rarely wants to come home at the end of the day! The nursery is also very clean, organized, strict on entry rules and engage in some fun activities to excite the children. The director of the centre is also fantastic. She adds that extra support to each of the rooms and the children adore her - ours included. We are grateful for the work they do and would recommend this location to any new parent looking!
26 March 2024
Busy Bees Reading International have been excellent for my daughter. The staff have been brilliant at settling her in and helping with all aspects of her development. Everyone plays a part in this, from the centre director, assistant centre director and key workers, they are very personable and my daughter is always excited to see them all in the morning. As a parent the team are great at putting all your worries about leaving your child for the first time at ease. I would thoroughly recommend.
27 February 2024
I am very pleased with this nursery. When I was choosing it for my child, I looked at many options, more than five nurseries I guess, and this turned out to be one of the best. The first thing I want to mention is the very professional staff, this nursery also ensures cleanliness and maintains good food for the children. They engage with the children and teach them to count, read and write. Every day children get more knowledge. I am satisfied.
27 February 2024
Busy Bees is an exceptional nursery, not only are each and every member of staff kind, welcoming and caring but they provide a place where, as a parent, you feel reassured that your child is safe and most importantly, happy! The team are led by the director who is passionate about providing the utmost enriching environment for all children. She goes above and beyond to ensure every child is acknowledged as an individual, which is something that I value, as a parent, very much. Another lovely member of staff, the assistant director, who works closely with the director, is very much loved by my youngest. The assistant director always has a smile on her face and welcomes the children with open arms. The assistant director is considerate and kind and always makes the time to speak to the parents about their child in great detail. When I first sent my children, the team supported me with separation and rather than just ‘doing their job’, they went over and above and I can honestly say that the Busy Bees team became my family.
15 January 2024
Busy Bees Reading International is a fantastic nursery, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a nursery setting for their child. The team are fantastic and highly professional, and we know our daughter is in safe hands. The manager provides helpful weekly updates and information on activities the children have completed, which is always lovely to read. She is very friendly and communication with her is very good too. The staff care about the children’s development, and we have seen our daughter come on leaps and bounds since joining the toddler and, more recently, the preschool room. We couldn’t be happier with the nursery, which has great facilities for the children and breakout spaces, as well as gardens, so they are not always in the same room. The key buddies really care for their children, and it is lovely to see. A great nursery.
05 July 2021
My son likes Busy bees nursery. Compare to another nursery, which my son learned before, he feels relaxed and happy. Teachers took good care of my son, and accidents never happened. Teachers try more to help my son to start to speak English.
20 October 2020
My son has been attending this nursery since he was 1 and is due to move into the preschool room in the next few weeks. We have always been happy with the care he has received whilst there and he comes out every day with a smile on his face. Staff appear to really care about the children and they build great relationships with them which is lovely to see. Staff also communicate well with parents and provide feedback on the child's day after each session. The children engage in a variety of activities which support their learning and development and it is nice to have an opportunity to see pictures and descriptions of what they have been doing via the parent app. The outside area at the nursery is fantastic and my son also appears to enjoy the food on offer provided by the onsite chef, often having second and third helpings! Management are also friendly and approachable and deal with any enquiries promptly.
19 October 2020
An amazing nursery with the most caring and thoughtful staff. My son attends preschool and was very nervous when he first started but the team really make sure he was looked after and he now loves it. Would recommend Busy Bees to anyone who is looking for a nursery space.
19 October 2020
Busy Bees is a wonderful nursery. The children have lovely indoor and outdoor areas to enjoy. The staff are what makes the nursery. They’re all friendly, professional, honest, and very caring individuals. I trust the nursery, and they have proven on several occasions that my child’s welfare is their main priority at all times. I’m grateful that we came across Busy Bees, and would strongly recommend it to anyone looking for childcare.
17 October 2020
Great staff, great facilities, supportive, very secure, good team. Thank you.
17 October 2020
My son started at Reading International in August 2020 and he is thriving under their loving care. When we arrive at nursery in the morning he is so excited he screams and giggles until I take him in. He has built such a special relationship with the staff members of the baby room he is more than happy to go in and be comforted by them. I cannot thank them enough for making me feel at ease knowing he is happy and has someone that can make him smile. The nursery app is amazing and the team are excellent at sharing regular updates of my son's day at nursery with pictures showing me he is happy and content. The staff really go above and beyond for us and I cannot thank them enough.
05 April 2019
Staff are engaged, thoughtful and caring. The care is excellent and pragmatic, which as a single mum is essential. They provide good opportunities for young carers. It’d be nice to have more experienced staff too, as recently a very experienced staff member left, which has been a loss and just tipped the balance. It’s reassuring when there’s experienced staff alongside to teach what’s not in the books. Management’s fully supportive and takes the time to talk which makes me feel confident. The space has lots of engaging toys, some are beginning to look tired but the children love them. It’s great they get to spend so much time outside. The parent app needs work. I love checking in to see his day. On average it’s 1 to 3 days behind. I miss photos and observations only to find them weeks later. I also want to download pictures. It could be so brilliant but it’s just not that useful as it is. I’m very happy and have recommended it to my friends. They have the important core needs covered and the rest, in my opinion, is what will make it excellent.
05 April 2019
Great Nursery. Our son was only 11 months since he started attending it and we never had any concerns regarding the safety of my child. Staff very helpful and informative. Plenty of indoor and outdoor activities provided and development provided via the app and during parents' meeting. My son loves this nursery. He can't wait to move to the preschool room.
Latest Reviews for Busy Bees Reading International
24 April 2024
Our daughter's been at Busy Bees, 5 days a week for two and a half years. Deciding where she'd go to spend such a huge amount of time in her early years was very difficult, but we've felt comfortable in our decision to send her to Busy Bees - helped by seeing her thrive and develop skills at sometimes startling speed. She usually seems happy and certainly has lots of friends. The staff are kind, friendly, and engaged, and the environment feels safe and bright. The centre director is well-organised, informed, and responsive to queries. The food is good - she often eats better than I do! - and the rooms are clean, feel clean and comfortable. There's also a good amount of variety in the activities they get up to, and she hears, learns about and participates in a wide range of multicultural events and celebrations. We love the rich multicultural environment and I feel it is fantastic for her to be given early exposure to the differences in people that make up our diverse community.
04 April 2024
Busy Bees has been excellent for my son (2 years old), although he only goes in twice a week they have still catered to all his needs. I particularly love the app where they constantly update his activities, food, nappies, sleep and naps. His key teacher is super nice and friendly to him, she is always looking after him well. My son has always enjoyed going to nursery! The director of the centre is superb and always responds to our queries promptly! The nursery is also very well-maintained and clean!
04 April 2024
My son has been thriving at nursery since starting there 6 months ago. He is always very keen to go to his key caretakers and always happy when I pick him up. I really appreciate the transparency of the nursery around how my son’s day was and anything that might have happened. I can see my son is well stimulated at nursery and they put a lot of effort into including him in all the activities like water playing, arts and crafts and sensory activities. Lastly, the nursery has been very respectful and accommodating on any request I might have on how I’d like something to be done e.g. weaning or following a certain routine when he was younger that was a bit different from the older babies. It’s hard as a mother to leave your baby in someone else’s hands for the whole day, but I quickly got to trust the caretakers and cannot wait to see how my son continues to thrive and reach his milestones as he approaches his first birthday.
03 April 2024
We have had a very disappointing experience with our 9 month old at Busy Bees Reading. Unfortunately it appears that they are not very inclusive and open to the mindset that every child is different and develops at their own pace. Instead they have seem to think our baby shows abnormal behavioural characteristics after only 2 settling in sessions and hence do not want him to start before they discuss it with their inclusion team even though there are actually no clinical concerns as diagnosed by a paediatrician. We have had very limited communication with them since then. They do not seem to want to help or support a baby's development in any way. Shocking given the reputation the company holds. We have decided to pull him out and the staff member over the phone just said 'OK that's fine' and 'I'll issue you a refund' and did not seem to care or at least ask why were are doing this..
27 March 2024
I couldn’t be happier with Busy Bees. The staff are so kind and caring, they all know my daughter and my baby girl absolutely loves them all. I can see she is happy when she goes and always comes back very happy. I am grateful for everyone who looks after her and makes her feel important, loved and cared about. It’s a home away from home.
27 March 2024
My son has been attending this nursery since the age of 1, since attending 3 days a week he’s come a long way with walking and more importantly communication, he’s always very happy to go to nursery and I always get told he’s had a very good day, I get daily updates with how he’s eaten and also pictures of what he’s doing reassuring me as a first-time dad that he’s having a great time. The staff and management are lovely and very welcoming, they always give such positive feedback and always communicate with any events going on or any additional information they may have. Overall this is a great nursery and I couldn't be happier with the positive experience that we as a family are having.
26 March 2024
Busy Bees is a warm and friendly environment, providing a home-from-home for my son. He has bonded so well with his key workers and management, who are always present and involved. There are regular spontaneous activities that take place which see both parents and staff getting involved and having fun with the children, it’s during these times I've seen how passionate and responsive staff are to the children in their care. We are very happy to be starting our daughter next summer.
26 March 2024
We are parents to a 2-year-old boy who is at nursery at Busy Bees Reading. This nursery has been exceptional for our little one. He has been here full time since 12 months old and the experience he has had as well as the care they have given him in the baby's room has been amazing! The staff truly care about the children, give him so much love, he rarely wants to come home at the end of the day! The nursery is also very clean, organized, strict on entry rules and engage in some fun activities to excite the children. The director of the centre is also fantastic. She adds that extra support to each of the rooms and the children adore her - ours included. We are grateful for the work they do and would recommend this location to any new parent looking!
26 March 2024
Busy Bees Reading International have been excellent for my daughter. The staff have been brilliant at settling her in and helping with all aspects of her development. Everyone plays a part in this, from the centre director, assistant centre director and key workers, they are very personable and my daughter is always excited to see them all in the morning. As a parent the team are great at putting all your worries about leaving your child for the first time at ease. I would thoroughly recommend.
27 February 2024
I am very pleased with this nursery. When I was choosing it for my child, I looked at many options, more than five nurseries I guess, and this turned out to be one of the best. The first thing I want to mention is the very professional staff, this nursery also ensures cleanliness and maintains good food for the children. They engage with the children and teach them to count, read and write. Every day children get more knowledge. I am satisfied.
27 February 2024
Busy Bees is an exceptional nursery, not only are each and every member of staff kind, welcoming and caring but they provide a place where, as a parent, you feel reassured that your child is safe and most importantly, happy! The team are led by the director who is passionate about providing the utmost enriching environment for all children. She goes above and beyond to ensure every child is acknowledged as an individual, which is something that I value, as a parent, very much. Another lovely member of staff, the assistant director, who works closely with the director, is very much loved by my youngest. The assistant director always has a smile on her face and welcomes the children with open arms. The assistant director is considerate and kind and always makes the time to speak to the parents about their child in great detail. When I first sent my children, the team supported me with separation and rather than just ‘doing their job’, they went over and above and I can honestly say that the Busy Bees team became my family.
15 January 2024
Busy Bees Reading International is a fantastic nursery, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a nursery setting for their child. The team are fantastic and highly professional, and we know our daughter is in safe hands. The manager provides helpful weekly updates and information on activities the children have completed, which is always lovely to read. She is very friendly and communication with her is very good too. The staff care about the children’s development, and we have seen our daughter come on leaps and bounds since joining the toddler and, more recently, the preschool room. We couldn’t be happier with the nursery, which has great facilities for the children and breakout spaces, as well as gardens, so they are not always in the same room. The key buddies really care for their children, and it is lovely to see. A great nursery.
05 July 2021
My son likes Busy bees nursery. Compare to another nursery, which my son learned before, he feels relaxed and happy. Teachers took good care of my son, and accidents never happened. Teachers try more to help my son to start to speak English.
20 October 2020
My son has been attending this nursery since he was 1 and is due to move into the preschool room in the next few weeks. We have always been happy with the care he has received whilst there and he comes out every day with a smile on his face. Staff appear to really care about the children and they build great relationships with them which is lovely to see. Staff also communicate well with parents and provide feedback on the child's day after each session. The children engage in a variety of activities which support their learning and development and it is nice to have an opportunity to see pictures and descriptions of what they have been doing via the parent app. The outside area at the nursery is fantastic and my son also appears to enjoy the food on offer provided by the onsite chef, often having second and third helpings! Management are also friendly and approachable and deal with any enquiries promptly.
19 October 2020
An amazing nursery with the most caring and thoughtful staff. My son attends preschool and was very nervous when he first started but the team really make sure he was looked after and he now loves it. Would recommend Busy Bees to anyone who is looking for a nursery space.
19 October 2020
Busy Bees is a wonderful nursery. The children have lovely indoor and outdoor areas to enjoy. The staff are what makes the nursery. They’re all friendly, professional, honest, and very caring individuals. I trust the nursery, and they have proven on several occasions that my child’s welfare is their main priority at all times. I’m grateful that we came across Busy Bees, and would strongly recommend it to anyone looking for childcare.
17 October 2020
Great staff, great facilities, supportive, very secure, good team. Thank you.
17 October 2020
My son started at Reading International in August 2020 and he is thriving under their loving care. When we arrive at nursery in the morning he is so excited he screams and giggles until I take him in. He has built such a special relationship with the staff members of the baby room he is more than happy to go in and be comforted by them. I cannot thank them enough for making me feel at ease knowing he is happy and has someone that can make him smile. The nursery app is amazing and the team are excellent at sharing regular updates of my son's day at nursery with pictures showing me he is happy and content. The staff really go above and beyond for us and I cannot thank them enough.
05 April 2019
Staff are engaged, thoughtful and caring. The care is excellent and pragmatic, which as a single mum is essential. They provide good opportunities for young carers. It’d be nice to have more experienced staff too, as recently a very experienced staff member left, which has been a loss and just tipped the balance. It’s reassuring when there’s experienced staff alongside to teach what’s not in the books. Management’s fully supportive and takes the time to talk which makes me feel confident. The space has lots of engaging toys, some are beginning to look tired but the children love them. It’s great they get to spend so much time outside. The parent app needs work. I love checking in to see his day. On average it’s 1 to 3 days behind. I miss photos and observations only to find them weeks later. I also want to download pictures. It could be so brilliant but it’s just not that useful as it is. I’m very happy and have recommended it to my friends. They have the important core needs covered and the rest, in my opinion, is what will make it excellent.
05 April 2019
Great Nursery. Our son was only 11 months since he started attending it and we never had any concerns regarding the safety of my child. Staff very helpful and informative. Plenty of indoor and outdoor activities provided and development provided via the app and during parents' meeting. My son loves this nursery. He can't wait to move to the preschool room.