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Welcome to Busy Bees

Welcome to Busy Bees

Your nursery in
Edinburgh, Forres Street

Google
4 /5

9.7

Day Nurseries Score

Discover our fantastic Busy Bees Nursery located on Forres Street in Edinburgh New Town, providing top-quality care and education for children aged 3 months to 5 years.  

The enthusiastic nursery team are passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging environment for children, which is why they plan and prepare a wide range of fun-filled activities throughout the nursery, to ensure every child's interests and developmental needs are met.  

Busy Bees
Edinburgh, Forres Street
Nursery Facilities

Rest assured, your child will be fully supported throughout every stage of their development, from those exciting first steps to mastering the art of writing their name and preparing for the transition to school life.  

Our New Town nursery boasts a lovely outdoor play area with a purpose-built play cottage and dedicated planting area, along with a paved area for sand and water play. But the outdoor adventures don't stop there. The nursery, which has been established for 16 years, is surrounded by picturesque parks and gardens which the children use daily and have regular access to the beautiful Moray Place private gardens which provides ample opportunities for children to explore, run around, and investigate their surroundings.  

Located in the heart of Edinburgh, Busy Bees Forres Street offers a convenient and central location for families seeking quality childcare.   Situated within close proximity to excellent public transport links, the nursery is easily accessible for parents and families. Nearby bus stops such as Drumsheugh Place, Queen Street Gardens West, and Hill Street (Stop GU) serve multiple routes, providing convenient options for transportation. For those arriving by train, Waverley Train Station is just a 20-minute walk away from the nursery, ensuring accessibility for families relying on public transportation. 

So, if you're looking for excellent childcare in New Town that prioritises your child's development, safety, and enjoyment, then Busy Bees on Forres Street is the perfect choice for you. Book a visit today, and our friendly team will look forward to welcoming you. 

Not sure if Busy Bees Edinburgh Forres Street is the best option for your family? View all of our Nurseries in Edinburgh to explore all Busy Bees locations in your area.

Special things about Edinburgh, Forres Street

Amazing Activities

Amazing Activities

Including Yoga, Sing and Sign, Sports Days and more

Local Daily Walks

Local Daily Walks

We love to adventure to the local museums and castles!

City Centre Location

City Centre Location

Making for easy pick up and drop off

A warm welcome

from our Director
 - Centre Director

Director

Claire Rae

Hi my name is Claire and I am the Centre Director here at Busy Bees Edinburgh Forres Street.

At our wonderful nursery in Edinburgh we create a home from home atmosphere. 

Book a visit with us and meet our amazing team! We cannot wait to welcome your family to Busy Bees!

Reviews

What
Edinburgh, Forres Street
parents say

My little girl has attended this nursery for over a year and has absolutely loved every minute. She started off a little shy, but her confidence has grown so much and she’s always excited to go in each day. She loves the messy play, outdoor activities and walks, and it’s lovely seeing everything she gets up to through the app updates. The transition into Bumbles was made so easy, and the staff really took the time to get to know her as an individual. Everyone is so approachable, friendly and welcoming, and it’s clear they genuinely care about the children. I couldn’t recommend this nursery enough to any parent looking for a caring, happy environment for their child.

​I cannot recommend Busy Bees Edinburgh Forest Street enough. I have three children and have experienced many nurseries over the years, but I have never experienced anything like this. The level of love, warmth, care, patience, and genuine affection they give my daughter every single day is simply incredible. Walking in feels like leaving her at home with family. ​My daughter started here when she was 6 months old and is now a year old. She absolutely loves going to nursery! The moment we arrive, she happily reaches out her arms to the staff—she is all smiles and pure joy. ​Claire, the manager, is truly spectacular. She is extraordinarily kind, patient, empathetic, and loving. Every morning when we drop off Lara, Claire personally comes out to greet her, and Lara just adores her. ​The staff in the baby room are also beyond amazing. My baby loves every single one of them. They are always so helpful, kind, and ready to answer any questions or lend a hand with anything we need. ​As a parent, there is no greater peace of mind than knowing your child is happy, cherished, and safe. My absolute wish is for Lara to stay here until she is ready for primary school. I recommend Busy Bees Forest Street with my eyes closed—it is an absolute gift of a place! ❤️

Opening times

Monday
to Friday

8:00
AM
to
6:00
PM

Busy Bees Edinburgh, Forres Street operates Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 6:00 offering full-day care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.

Open 52 weeks a year, Busy Bees Edinburgh, Forres Street 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 Edinburgh, Forres Street

Two bees greeting

Arrival and welcome

from 8:00am

Children arrive from 8:00am 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 8:00am

Children arrive from 8:00am 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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