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Welcome to Busy Bees

Welcome to Busy Bees

Your nursery in
Darlington, Cockerton

Ofsted
Google
5 /5

9.3

Day Nurseries Score

At Busy Bees Darlington, we provide a warm and welcoming environment where babies, toddlers and preschoolers can learn, explore and grow in confidence. Our dedicated team support every child through their early years, creating a positive start to their learning journey.

With age-appropriate spaces, engaging activities and plenty of opportunities for outdoor play, children can follow their interests, develop new skills and enjoy learning through play.

Busy Bees
Darlington, Cockerton
Nursery Facilities

Our nursery has a range of thoughtfully designed rooms, with resources and activities suited to each age and stage. Children can enjoy creative and imaginative play indoors, as well as plenty of opportunities to explore outside, build independence and take on safe challenges under the supervision of our team.

Our team are committed to supporting each child’s individual development and helping them build the confidence and skills they need for their next steps.

Located on Newton Lane in Cockerton, our nursery is just a five-minute drive from Darlington town centre and offers convenient links to the surrounding area. The A68 is easily accessible, with Junction 58 of the A1(M) around a five-minute drive away, making us a convenient choice for commuting families.

We have on-site parking for straightforward drop-offs and collections, while the nearest bus stop is a short walk away at Cockerton Cricket Club, served by the 2 Frequent and 2A routes.

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

Special things about Darlington, Cockerton

Large outdoor space

Large outdoor space

Plenty of room for active play and exploration.

Convenient location

Convenient location

Set in Cockerton with easy access to bus routes and the A1.

Long-serving team

Long-serving team

Experienced staff providing familiar faces and continuity.

A warm welcome

from our Director
 - Centre Director

Director

Suzanne Cartwright-Powton

My name is Suzanne Cartwright-Powton and I am the Nursery Manager for Busy Bees Nursery in Darlington.

I started working in the nursery in August 2000 as a nursery officer and in October 2005 I was promoted to Nursery Manager. I have seen the nursery grow and become an established nursery which offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere to the children parents/ carers and staff.

I qualified as a nursery nurse in 1992 and in 2011 I graduated from Northumbria University with a BA (hons) in Early Years Practice. I am also Portage trained and have Early Years Teaching Status. I enjoy studying and finding out about new research and studies that will extend my knowledge of the childcare field.

The nursery team is like a big family, many of the staff team have achieved long service awards for continued service; five year, ten year and fifteen year awards. Having such dedicated staff shows that they are committed to their work and are professional caring people. I am very proud to be part of this team and thoroughly enjoy my role in the nursery, watching children grow and achieve and develop their own personalities.

We have an open door policy so that existing parents can pop in for a chat at any time. We welcome visits for prospective parents and children, no appointment necessary, just come along and find out about all the exciting things we do.

Meet the amazing team

Cassie Thompson

Assistant Centre Director

Cassie Thompson

Reviews

What
Darlington, Cockerton
parents say

Absolutely wonderful nursery — we love Busy Bees! Both of our children go here and we couldn’t be happier. The staff are amazing — friendly, caring and so attentive. It’s such a warm, safe and happy place. Our kids love going every day and have settled in beautifully. We feel completely confident leaving them in such great hands. Thank you Busy Bees team — you’re doing a fantastic job! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Very welcoming and nurturing nursery based in Cockerton. Very well managed, the staff are lovely and out twins have come on leaps and bounds since starting in Jan 2026. Suzanne the Manager is very approachable and helpful - and it has been a very pleasant experience so far for our two. Strongly recommend this nursery.

Opening times

Monday
to Friday

7:30
AM
to
6:00
PM

Busy Bees Darlington, Cockerton 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 Darlington, Cockerton 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 Darlington, Cockerton

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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