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Welcome to Busy Bees

Welcome to Busy Bees

Your nursery in
Derby, Duffield

Ofsted
Google
5 /5

8.8

Day Nurseries Score

At Busy Bees Derby Duffield, we provide a warm and nurturing environment where children can learn, develop and thrive.

Nestled on a quiet street in the picturesque village of Duffield, our nursery is a much-loved part of the local community.

Busy Bees
Derby, Duffield
Nursery Facilities

Housed in a charming former school building, our nursery has a cosy, homely feel where children can feel happy, settled and confident. Our long-standing, highly qualified team build strong relationships with children and families, creating a genuine home-from-home environment.

Our nursery offers a welcoming setting where children can enjoy a balance of learning, play and exploration throughout the day. We make the most of our outdoor spaces, creating opportunities for children to develop their physical skills, confidence and wellbeing while enjoying the fresh air and discovering the natural world around them.

Our experienced team take the time to understand each child as an individual, planning experiences around their interests and developmental needs. We aim to maximise every child’s potential while making sure they have plenty of opportunities to have fun, make friends and enjoy their time at nursery.

Set within the picturesque village of Duffield in Derbyshire, our nursery is surrounded by a welcoming local community and is conveniently located for families living in Duffield and the surrounding areas. The village offers a range of local amenities, with shops, cafés and green spaces nearby, while Duffield railway station provides convenient connections towards Derby and Matlock.

We’d love to welcome you and your child to Busy Bees Derby Duffield. Book a visit to explore our nursery, meet our friendly team and discover what makes our nursery such a special place for children to grow and learn.

 

Special things about Derby, Duffield

Spacious outdoor area

Spacious outdoor area

For all children to enjoy and explore.

Long-standing staff team

Long-standing staff team

Creating a home-from-home atmosphere. 

Thoughtfully tailored rooms

Thoughtfully tailored rooms

For each of our nursery's age groups.

Lending Library

Lending Library

To share the love of books and reading.

A warm welcome

from our Director
 - Centre Director

Director

Katie Maclean

Hello, I am Katie the Centre Director here at Derby Duffield.

I have been in childcare for over 15 years and have a BA Hons Early Childhood Studies Degree.  I have spent over 12 years growing and developing within Busy Bees Nurseries.  I have progressed significantly within the company due to the amount of passion and love for quality childcare I have. I first started as a Deputy Manager at our Alton Manor Centre back in 2009, progressing to Centre Director at Matlock Busy Bees and then Centre Director at Derby Duffield.

Aside from my vast professional experience I have a little girl of my own who currently attends Busy Bees Nurseries. I am very proud of my passionate team and am supported by my Assistant Kemma Bestwick who has so far completed over 13 years’ service at Busy Bees.  Kemma steps up as Centre Director 2 days per week opposite the 3 days per week I work.

Meet the amazing team

Kemma Nicklinson

Assistant Centre Director

Kemma Nicklinson

Sophie Hackett

Room Manager

Sophie Hackett

Rachel Jones

Senior Room Manager

Rachel Jones

Reviews

What
Derby, Duffield
parents say

Both of my children have attended Busy Bees Duffield and have loved their time there. The staff are hard working, supportive and caring. We would not hesitate to recommend this nursery to other families.

My daughter is always happy to go to nursery

My second time sending a child through Busy Bees Duffield. Child 1 was from 18 months and child 2 was from 9 months. Both times I have felt like my child was safe and supported - I couldn’t have asked for anything more from the team. The ladies have been brilliant from day one, supporting my request to stick to our routine, as well as my child’s needs at whatever stage they were at. As a slightly chaotic busy working mum, having my wishes heard and supported has enabled me to continue to work without worry, knowing my children were so well cared for and that it was ok if I forgot the nappies 3 days on the trot. My most recent experience has been with the under 2s room. It’s difficult to name any of them individually as they have all played a significant part in my child’s development and overall happiness at busy bees, but Sarah when my child was in the baby room and Rachel, Ellie & Colette when they moved up have gone above and beyond supporting my child. Collectively the trust in the ladies at busy bees and their attitude towards caring for the children made my return to work at 9 months PP stress free in comparison to my previous return to work experience at another nursery. I wouldn’t hesitate to send our next (and last 😅) child through busy bees duffield if we’re lucky enough to have another. They don’t just look after the children, they’ve definitely looked after me too.

Opening times

Monday
to Friday

7:30
AM
to
6:00
PM

Busy Bees Derby, Duffield operates Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 6:00 offering full-day care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.

Open 52 weeks a year, Busy Bees Derby, Duffield 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

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.

explore a day at busy bees

A day in the life at Busy Bees Derby, Duffield

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 6:00pm

Our last available pick up is at 6:00pm.

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 6:00pm

Our last available pick up is at 6:00pm.

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.

Track Progress

Our mobile App

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

Learn More
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