Children and staff at Busy Bees Lichfield nursery have filled a time capsule to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the company.
The nursery hosted a ceremony with the nursery group’s global chief executives to celebrate the milestone.
Co-Founder Marg Randles, Global Chief Operating Officer Cheryl Creaser and Centre Director, Kelly Allington showed the international guests around the nursery while pre-school children filled the capsule.
Each of the CEOs - from Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand - also contributed personal messages, sharing their hopes for the future of Busy Bees.
The capsule is being buried in the nursery garden to be rediscovered and opened in another 40 years' time.
Contents included memorabilia from the last 40 years including newsletters, pictures, fee sheets and uniform from the very first Busy Bees nursery, The Rocklands, as well as items taken from the present day including a Buzz plush toy – a token gift that every new Busy Bees child receives when they join the nursery.
In 1983 Busy Bees set out to open its first nursery, The Rocklands in Lichfield, and now has almost 1,000 centres located across ten countries - the UK, Ireland, Italy, Canada, USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand.
Marg Randles, Co-Founder of Busy Bees, said: “We were delighted to welcome our international colleagues to our new Lichfield nursery, not only to showcase one of our newest purpose-built nurseries but also to celebrate our 40th anniversary, heritage and aspirations for the future.
“It feels only right to bury the time capsule at Busy Bees Lichfield, the city where Busy Bees began all those years ago.
"It was particularly poignant to be joined by our territory CEOs for this special occasion.
"I am very proud to have been part of the Busy Bees story and to know that, in 2023, we remain committed to putting every child at the heart of what we do.
"I know that Busy Bees will grow, providing greater opportunities and experiences for children across the world.”
Kelly Allington, Centre Director of Busy Bees Lichfield, added: “It was a privilege to host this commemorative time capsule event at our nursery alongside our colleagues from across the globe.
"We’re so proud to play an important part in Busy Bees’ heritage and more importantly its exciting future.
“Our children and staff loved meeting our special visitors and learning all about Busy Bees’ history.
"During the day, children enjoyed creating their own time capsules to take home and gaining an understanding of this meaningful event.”
Busy Bees Lichfield is one of the most sustainable nurseries in the group’s UK collection to date and sets new standards for future Busy Bees.
The nursery, on Birmingham Road, cares for children from three months to five years of age.
To enquire about a place or book a visit call 0330 333 8133.