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Welcome to Busy Bees

Welcome to Busy Bees

Your nursery in
Colchester, Stanway

Ofsted
Google
5 /5

9.4

Day Nurseries Score
Buggy-storage
Parent-room
Parking

Are you looking for excellent childcare in Colchester? Our Stanway nursery offers the perfect environment packed with fun, learning and excitement!   

Here at Busy Bees Colchester Stanway, we like to ensure that every child can develop at a pace they are comfortable with, which is why each age group has its own dedicated space, both indoors and outside. Rest assured your child will come on leaps and bounds during their stay with us, as they learn and grow alongside those at a similar stage.  

Bee curious curriculum
Book visit Bee Curious Curriculum

Busy Bees
Colchester, Stanway
Nursery Facilities

There is so much to love about our nursery in Colchester, from the excellent activities and learning resources available, to the passionate nursery team, your child will receive the very best start in life with us.  

With our separate dining area, your child can tuck in to delicious and nutritious meals prepared by our on-site chef, who caters for all dietary requirements.

We truly believe that communication is key and want to ensure that all parents are kept in the loop with what their little one is getting up to. With our dedicated Parent Room, you can catch up with your child's key workers, to discuss their development along with any key milestones reached during their stay with us. We will also provide you with regular updates through the Busy Bees app, so that you never miss a moment.

You'll find our nursery in Stanway, on London Road, just a 10-minute drive from Colchester city centre.   

Located just off the A12 at Junction 25 and 26, we are in the perfect location for those commuting. With a car parking facility available onsite, rest assured drop-offs and collections will be as safe and seamless as possible.  

With excellent public transport links, you will find the nearest bus stop just a 2-minute walk away on Sparrow Hall, serving routes 15, 82, 85, 370, 371.  

Read our Parent Pack to find out more about the exceptional care we provide, we'd love to welcome you and your child to visit our nursery in Colchester Stanway. Book a visit, to view the fantastic facilities for yourself and meet the friendly team at Busy Bees Stanway.  

Special things about Colchester, Stanway

Long-standing staff team

Long-standing staff team

Creating a home-from-home atmosphere. 

Unique to

Colchester, Stanway

Outdoor spaces

Outdoor spaces

Including a baby garden and pre-schoolers garden.

Unique to

Colchester, Stanway

Foundation Class

Foundation Class

Getting children school ready

Unique to

Colchester, Stanway

A warm welcome

from our Director
- Centre Director

Director

Gina Curry

Hello, I am Gina Curry 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.

Meet the amazing team

Ria Bairfelt

Assistant Centre Director

Ria Bairfelt

Ella Healy

Chef

Ella Healy

Reviews

What
Colchester, Stanway
parents say

Ofsted

Ofsted Good

Day Nurseries

9.4

Google

5 /5

A wonderful atmosphere and friendly staff who genuinely care about the children.

L

10/03/2026

We are happy with the support our child receives at this nursery. The staff have been fantastic in helping her build confidence and encouraging her to express herself. We’ve noticed a real improvement in her self-belief, communication, and willingness to share her thoughts and feelings. The team are patient, nurturing, and genuinely take the time to understand her individual needs. It’s reassuring to see how supported and valued she feels each day, and we’re very grateful for the positive impact the nursery has had on her development.

AC

14/01/2026

Opening times

Monday
to Friday

7:30
AM
to
6:30
PM

Busy Bees Colchester, Stanway operates Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 6:30 offering full-day care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.

Open 52 weeks a year, Busy Bees Colchester, Stanway helps support families around the demands of work and everyday life.

We look forward to working with you to create a plan that suits your family.

SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDING

We take pride in our safeguarding policies

Safety and safeguarding are at the heart of everything we do, and your child's safety is our highest priority. Our policies and procedures are designed to ensure every child in our care is safe, supported and well looked after.

Learn more

Award-Winning Safeguarding Standards recognising our commitment to protecting children across the UK

A dedicated Safety and Safeguarding Team with decades of experience, led by an industry-recognised leadership team

ISO 45001 certification supported by robust policies and procedures to help protect every child in our care

Thorough recruitment processes including enhanced DBS checks and comprehensive referencing, before joining Busy Bees

Carefully managed drop-off and collection procedures and sign out with controlled entry

Paediatric first aid trained staff in every nursery

A safe, supportive environment and a dedicated "speak up" service, where team members can confidentially report concerns 24/7, 365 days a year, through a variety of channels, without fear of retaliation

Curriculum and education

Giving your child the best start in life

Curriculum

Our Bee Curious curriculum is at the heart of everything we do, helping your child grow in a safe and nurturing environment.

Centred around your child's interests and pace, we combine purposeful play with a carefully designed curriculum that fosters curiosity and confidence. Bee Curious guides every moment in our nursery, from caring routines to planned activities, placing the unique child and their key person at the heart of learning. From encouraging independence at mealtimes, to supporting friendships in the playground, to celebrating every milestone with enthusiasm, our curriculum sparks a love of learning from the very beginning.

Expertly

developed

Using our 40 years of industry leading childcare experience, Bee Curious is a blueprint for playful learning. It is:

Developed by industry-leading experts and using over 40 years of global expertise

Based on the latest child behavioural science research and findings

Developed through collaboration with Busy Bees educators across the world

Led by Gill Jones MBE - Busy Bees Group Chief Quality Officer

Playfully

taught

Alongside structured learning, we encourage your child to express themselves freely and explore the world around them through creative and outdoor experiences that support every area of development. We do this by:

Using role play and storytelling to strengthen communication

Exploring art, music and movement

Learning outdoors in a safe, stimulating environment

Developing physical coordination and confidence

A head start

in life

Our teams nurture your child's curiosity and confidence, preparing them not just for school, but for life. We do this by:

Early reading and writing through phonics, storytelling and mark-making activities

Strong number sense through counting, patterns and problem-solving

Hands-on, purposeful play to encourage critical thinking and curiosity.

Strengthening focus and listening skills with guided group learning sessions.

Childcare at Busy Bees

Childcare funding

Funding and fees

Understanding childcare funding and nursery fees can feel complicated. Our aim is to make the process as clear and straightforward as possible, helping you to find the right options for your family.

Use our funding fees calculator to estimate how your childcare hours could reduce your weekly nursery fees. Before using the calculator, please check which funding you might be eligible for here.

Calculate your fees Fee Sheet Funding Eligibility

explore a day at busy bees

A day in the life at Busy Bees Colchester, Stanway

Two bees greeting

Arrival and welcome

from 7:30am

Children arrive from 7:30am and are warmly greeted by our team.

Bee with a bowl of snacks

Breakfast

Children can enjoy fresh fruit with a selection of cereals or porridge.

Bee reading a book

Morning time

9am — 12pm

Every morning, children are introduced to activities that engage their interest.

Focused sensory activity

Exploring colours and textures

Outdoor exploration

With educators to guide the play.

Snack time

A nutritious snack and/or formula milk (if required) is provided.

A story with calm time or a nap

The children may have one or two naps in the day depending on their home routine and we will always offer these in line with their home life.

Bee holding an apple

Meal time

12pm — 2pm

A nutritious lunch. Our full NHS-accredited menu is available here.

Rest and Relaxation

Quiet play or nap time.

Bee gardening with a watering can

Afternoon
Activities

2pm — 5pm

Engaging your child with activities based around our Book of the Moment.

Outdoor guided play

In purposefully themed play spaces.

Tea time

A light evening meal.

Two bees flying together

Wrap up
and home time

until 6:30pm

Our last available pick up is at 6:30pm.

Two bees greeting

Arrival and welcome

from 7:30am

Children arrive from 7:30am and are warmly greeted by our team.

Bee with a bowl of snacks

Breakfast

Children can enjoy fresh fruit with a selection of cereals or porridge.

Bee reading a book

Morning time

9am — 12pm

Every morning, children are introduced to activities that engage their interest.

Focused learning activity

A warm welcome with a morning song

Snack Time

Age-appropriate sensory or learning activity.

Outdoor learning

Exploration and connection with nature, whatever the weather.

Story time and reflection

A calming period before lunch.

Bee holding an apple

Meal time

12pm — 2pm

A nutritious lunch. Our full NHS-accredited menu is available here.

Rest and Relaxation

Quiet play or nap time.

Bee gardening with a watering can

Afternoon
Activities

2pm — 5pm

Engaging your child with activities based around our Book of the Moment.

Curious Mind

Maths, sensory experiences or problem solving.

Tea time

A light evening meal.

Outdoor play

In purposefully themed play spaces.

Two bees flying together

Wrap up
and home time

until 6:30pm

Our last available pick up is at 6:30pm.

Children and staff sharing a healthy meal at nursery

Food

Our weekly menu

NHS-accredited meals, drinks and snacks available.

Prepared daily by our on-site nursery chef

Variety of fresh ingredients throughout the week

Supports healthy growth and development

NHS-accredited nursery menu; our two seasonal menus are accredited by NHS Startwell, ensuring the food we serve is balanced and offers optimal nutrition.

If your child has any dietary requirements, allergies or cultural preferences, please speak with the Centre Director. Our team will work to ensure safe, suitable alternatives are provided.

See our food & menu

Track Progress

Our mobile App

Busy Bees

Throughout the day, keep up to date with your child's progress with our Busy Bees App.

Learn More
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