Busy Bees celebrated its 40th anniversary with the launch of its newest centre in Lichfield – the city where the nursery began.
Busy Bees invited local dignitaries as well as families and friends who attended the first ever nursery, founded in Lichfield in 1983, to a launch event at the brand-new centre.
This was attended by the Mayor of Lichfield as well as the nursery’s co-founder, Marg Randles, who cut the ribbon to officially open the new centre with her daughter Emma Bell, one of the very first Busy Bees’ children, and grandson Jude, who will attend the new nursery.
From its 1983 beginnings in Staffordshire, the early years education provider has become a worldwide success story and the company now cares for almost 70,000 children every day across 10 countries – the UK, Ireland, Italy, Canada, USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand.
To mark the 40 years milestone moment, toddlers, families and staff from Busy Bees nurseries around the world delivered a ‘sing and sign’ chorus of Happy Birthday.
Marg Randles, co-founder of Busy Bees, said: “This has been a proud and emotional day celebrating 40 years and a new nursery serving our Lichfield families, giving children the best start in life.
“Thank you to our amazing teams, without whom Busy Bees would not be the global success it is today. And thank you to the supportive parents and, most of all, to the children who motivate and inspire us every day.”
Councillor Jamie Checkland, the Mayor of Lichfield – whose own children went to Busy Bees in the 1990s – said: “Congratulations Busy Bees, which started in Lichfield and has expanded around the world, on your 40th birthday and coming back home.
“We are thrilled that you have brought your learning experiences back to our lovely city and wish you all the best for the next 40 years.”
Now the UK’s largest childcare provider, Busy Bees has also released a short film looking back at its heritage and reaffirming its commitment to delivering high quality childcare and early years education.