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Welcome to Montessori by Busy Bees

Welcome to Montessori by Busy Bees

Your nursery in
Finchley

Ofsted
Google
4 /5

At Montessori by Busy Bees Finchley, we create a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to explore, discover and develop their independence. Our Montessori approach puts children at the centre of their learning, giving them the freedom to make choices, follow their interests and learn through meaningful, hands-on experiences.

Our purpose-built, single-level nursery has four welcoming and well-resourced rooms, alongside a beautiful outdoor space where children can learn and play. With a caring and experienced team, we provide a warm environment where children can build confidence and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Montessori by Busy Bees
Finchley
Nursery Facilities

Our Montessori Bee Curious Curriculum brings together the principles of Montessori education with the curiosity-led approach of Bee Curious. Our carefully prepared environments use purposeful Montessori materials to encourage concentration, coordination, problem-solving and practical life skills. Children are supported to become confident, capable learners, with our team acting as guides and allowing them to explore at their own pace.

We believe that learning should be engaging and meaningful, which is why we provide plenty of opportunities for children to explore the world around them. Throughout the year, we celebrate different cultures and traditions, helping children develop an appreciation and understanding of the diverse world they live in.

Children also have a very special nursery friend in Merlin the Rabbit. Merlin brings fun and excitement to the children's days and is a much-loved part of life at the nursery.

Our outdoor space provides plenty of opportunities for physical development, imaginative play and exploration. We also have a convenient buggy store and welcoming Parents' Room, helping to make everyday nursery life comfortable and convenient for families.

Strong partnerships with parents and carers are an important part of our approach. We work closely with families, sharing regular updates and working together to understand and support every child's individual needs and development.

Montessori by Busy Bees Finchley is conveniently located in Finchley, with good transport links and easy access to the surrounding North London area. Our location makes us a practical choice for families living locally and commuting through Finchley.

 

Come and discover Montessori by Busy Bees Finchley for yourself. Book a visit to explore our Montessori environments, meet our friendly team and find out more about how we can support your child's early years journey.

 

Special things about Finchley

Cultural celebrations

Cultural celebrations

Celebrating different cultures and traditions throughout the year.

Strong parent partnerships

Strong parent partnerships

Working closely with families to support every child.

Bilingual Beats

Bilingual Beats

Weekly Thursday sessions introducing children to music and languages.

A warm welcome

from our Director
 - Centre Director

Director

Alana Mustafaraj

Hello, I’m Alana Mustafaraj, the Centre Director at Montessori by Busy Bees Finchley.

With over 18 years of experience in education, I have dedicated my career to supporting children to reach their full potential, with a particular focus on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

I began my journey in primary education in 2008 before moving into the early years sector in 2019. Since then, I have worked in senior leadership roles both across the UK and internationally, developing high-quality learning environments that place children and families at the heart of everything we do.

I am passionate about creating inclusive, nurturing environments where every child feels safe, supported, and encouraged to explore, discover, and develop through play. Working in partnership with families and colleagues, I strive to ensure each child receives the individual support they need to flourish, building strong foundations for lifelong learning and wellbeing.
 

Meet the amazing team

Claudine Hellaby

Chef

Claudine Hellaby

Reviews

What
Finchley
parents say

Five stars for an exceptional experience. Our daughter started two years ago and has now gone on to Primary school. The experience we had here at Finchley BB was impeccable. My daughter loved the staff, and so did we. We can't thank them all enough for giving our child a safe, loving and warm environment. In terms of professionalism we experienced a change of manager throughout our time here and it was done seamlessly. Both managers cared so much for the way the nursery is run, how the children felt and their comfortability. Us as a family and the team worked hard together to make transitions, changes and settling in as easy as possible. My child loved the food and Chef Lukas. We're forever thankful to the managers Michelle and Alara. To Emily, Evie, and Heather, who I'm sure my daughter will always have a place in her heart, as will we. To all of the team, THANK YOU. The P Family. X

The staff at busy bees are warm, friendly and patient. They understand and listen to what it is that makes your child feel safe and comfortable whilst also putting parents at ease. They definitely operate a child centred approach, recognising that all children are different and therefore they need to adapt to the child rather than the child adapting to them. Communicaton is great and my daughter absolutely adores each and every one of the team.

Opening times

Monday
to Friday

8:00
AM
to
6:00
PM

Montessori by Busy Bees Finchley operates Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 6:00 offering full-day care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.

Open 52 weeks a year, Montessori by Busy Bees Finchley 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 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 Montessori by Busy Bees Finchley

Two bees greeting

Arrival and welcome

from 8:00am

Children arrive from 8:00am 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 8:00am

Children arrive from 8:00am 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 Montessori by Busy Bees App.

Learn More