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Welcome to Busy Bees

Welcome to Busy Bees

Your nursery in
Ely

9.1

Day Nurseries Score

Harlequin Childcare, located at The Old School House on Downham Road, Ely, is one of the longest-established nurseries in Cambridgeshire that has been part of the community for 20 years.

We are thrilled that this lovely childcare setting is now part of Busy Bees Nurseries, to be known as Harlequin Childcare by Busy Bees Ely.

Busy Bees
Ely
Nursery Facilities

With rooms for babies, toddlers and a Pre-school area, there is also a delightful nursery garden. All children have regular access to the garden regardless of the weather, as we have a large canopy providing extra protection from the elements. In the vegetable patch, the children grow food which they harvest with the chef for cooking, helping develop their understanding of where food comes from. There is also a calm and tranquil area making for a beautiful sensory garden. 

You'll find us in the historic Old School House on Downham Road near to Ely College, with easy bus links and deep roots in the local community.

Our nursery is situated a stones throw from the A10 making pick up and drop offs easy for your commute. 

Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, the Busy Bees Ely strives to provide children with the best start to lifelong learning. This is a safe and nurturing environment where children are encouraged to explore and discover throughout their day, the team considers the individual interests of the children and achievements are placed at the heart of their learning. 

We would love to welcome you and your child to our wonderful nursery, why not call our Ely team today on 01353 661172 to arrange a visit to see it for yourself. 

Special things about Ely

5 Separate Garden Spaces

5 Separate Garden Spaces

Including a baby garden and pre-schoolers garden.

Long-standing staff team

Long-standing staff team

Creating a home-from-home atmosphere.

Thoughtfully tailored rooms

Thoughtfully tailored rooms

For each of our nursery's age groups. 

A warm welcome

from our Director
 - Centre Director

Director

Jemma Jackson & Emma Harvey

Hello our names our Jemma Jackson and Emma Harvey and we are the Centre Director team at Busy Bees at Ely.

We work together to create a caring, nurturing environment that feels like a second home. Bringing to life our Bee Curious curriculum through learning tailored to the individual children we have at our wonderful centre in Ely!

Meet the amazing team

Leanne Mainwaring

Assistant Centre Director

Leanne Mainwaring

Karen Smith and Sarah Hook

Chef

Karen Smith and Sarah Hook

Reviews

What
Ely
parents say

Opening times

Monday
to Friday

7:30
AM
to
6:00
PM

Busy Bees Ely operates Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 6:00 offering full-day care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.

Open 51 weeks a year, Busy Bees Ely 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 Ely

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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