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Welcome to Busy Bees

Welcome to Busy Bees

Your nursery in
Ashbourne

Ofsted
Google
5 /5

9.7

Day Nurseries Score
Buggy-storage
Outdoor-facilities
Parking

At Busy Bees at Ashbourne, we provide high-quality childcare for babies, toddlers and preschoolers in a warm and welcoming environment where children can learn, play and thrive.

Our caring, long-standing team create a home-from-home atmosphere where children feel happy, secure and supported. With thoughtfully designed rooms for each age group, we provide experiences that help children grow in confidence, independence and curiosity.

Bee curious curriculum
Book visit Bee Curious Curriculum

Busy Bees
Ashbourne
Nursery Facilities

Our nursery has been thoughtfully designed around the different stages of your child’s development, with spaces that provide age-appropriate activities and experiences from babyhood through to preschool. Children also have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, with a spacious garden where they can explore, play and take supported risks.

For families, we offer convenient facilities including on-site parking and a dedicated buggy store, making drop-offs and pick-ups as simple as possible.

Located on Derby Road in Ashbourne, our nursery is housed in a charming converted church and sits on the main road leading into Ashbourne town centre. We’re well placed for families travelling from surrounding areas, with convenient links towards Derby and Uttoxeter and easy access to the A515 and A52.

We’d love to welcome you and your child to Busy Bees at Ashbourne. Book a visit to explore our nursery, meet our friendly team and discover what we have to offer.

Special things about Ashbourne

Spacious outdoor area

Spacious outdoor area

For all children to enjoy and explore.

Unique to

Ashbourne

Long-standing staff team

Long-standing staff team

Creating a home-from-home atmosphere. 

Unique to

Ashbourne

Thoughtfully tailored rooms

Thoughtfully tailored rooms

 For each of our nursery's age groups.

Unique to

Ashbourne

A warm welcome

from our Director
- Centre Director

Director

Kelly Lambert

Hello, I am Kelly the Centre Director here at Busy Bees Ashbourne.

I joined the Busy Bees family in 2016 and have worked within the Early Years Education for 20 years. I graduated from Derby University in 2014 with a foundation degree in children and young people's service. As a mum of two, I am passionate about childcare and a keen advocate of quality family time.

I look forward to welcoming new families at our exemplary childcare setting in Ashbourne.

Meet the amazing team

Hannah Hallam

Chef

Hannah Hallam

Amy Gilman

Assistant Centre Director

Amy Gilman

Emma Hainsworth

Senior Room Manager

Emma Hainsworth

Reviews

What
Ashbourne
parents say

Ofsted

Ofsted Good

Day Nurseries

9.7

Google

5 /5

Kelly, Emma, Chloe and the team have been so supportive and friendly from the start. I struggled to get my son settled in other childcare settings before coming to Busy Bees so I was already more nervous about starting the process again but it went so much better than the other two places we have tried and my son is doing really well at settling in. He often speaks about Emma (his key worker) who is amazing at keeping us updated on everything regarding his day and development.

LC

06/08/2026

My little boy has been going there since he was 1 years old and is due to start school this September. His development is significant even though he only attends 1 day a week. He enjoys going to see all of the staff and his friends. The staff are very friendly and very welcoming.

K

27/06/2026

Great nursery all the staff are so good with my daughter and she seems to really enjoy it there

LH

03/03/2026

Opening times

Monday
to Friday

7:30
AM
to
6:00
PM

Busy Bees Ashbourne 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 Ashbourne 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 Ashbourne

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.

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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