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Welcome to Busy Bees

Welcome to Busy Bees

Your nursery in
Belper, Gibfield Lane

Ofsted
Google
5 /5

10

Day Nurseries Score

Here at our nursery in Belper, we take on a nurturing approach to learning and development so that your child is well prepared when making the next steps in their educational journey.  

Welcoming children from babies through to preschoolers, we have a number of nursery rooms filled with a variety of fantastic facilities, tailored to suit each age group, so that your little one can develop at their own pace. 

Busy Bees
Belper, Gibfield Lane
Nursery Facilities

Rest assured your child will flourish and thrive during their time at our nursery, with the wide range of simulating activities available. With so much on offer for all the children to enjoy, your little one can unleash their inner Picaso with our creative activities, take on safe risks whilst enjoying the fresh air, or read a book in our cosy area. 

Our highly qualified team go above and beyond to provide every child with the best start in life, which is why we follow the Bee Curious curriculum, to allow all children to learn whilst having fun!  

You will find our day nursery in Belper on Gibfield Lane just a 3-minute drive from the town centre and a 25-minute drive from Derby City Centre. For those arriving by car, we have a parking facility available onsite for safe and seamless drop-offs and collections. Rest assured, we have excellent public transportation links for those commuting, with just an 8-minute walk from Belper train station, and a short walk from the nearest bus stop at Herbert Strutt School serving routes 71 and 360. For alternative bus routes, Babington Hospital stop is just a 3-minute walk away.

So, if you're looking for childcare in Belper, which provides a warm and welcoming environment for your child to reach their full potential, there’s simply nowhere better. Book a visit today to see the fantastic facilities for yourself and meet the friendly team at Busy Bees Belper Gibfield Lane.  

Special things about Belper, Gibfield Lane

Grade II listed building

Grade II listed building

A unique nursery setting full of character and charm.

Open-plan nursery

Open-plan nursery

Spacious, flexible areas designed to encourage exploration and learning.

Refurbished garden

Refurbished garden

A fresh, engaging outdoor space for play and discovery.

A warm welcome

from our Director
 - Centre Director

Director

Bethany Eley

Hello, my name is Bethany Eley and I am the Centre Director here at Busy Bees at Belper Gibfield Lane.

Here at our centre, we create a warm and nurturing environment where children can feel happy, secure and confident to explore. Our Bee Curious curriculum encourages children to discover the world around them through playful learning, with experiences that support their individual interests, development and growing independence.

We also believe in building strong relationships with families, creating a welcoming community where children feel supported and valued throughout their time with us.

I look forward to welcoming you and your child and sharing in the exciting first steps of their learning journey.

Meet the amazing team

Tanya Whelan

Assistant Centre Director

Tanya Whelan

Reviews

What
Belper, Gibfield Lane
parents say

Busy bees at Belper Gibfield Lane is a fantastic Nursery. The nursery is always clean, bright, and filled with age-appropriate toys and activities. They've created such a nurturing environment where my child is thriving, learning, happy and settled. They provide Fresh food made on their premises daily, along with healthy breakfast and snacks, and they provide a menu where you can see what options are available for your child each day. They have a busy bees app on your phone, which regularly gets updated through the day so you can monitor your child through the day and see what they’ve eaten, nap times, toiletting, photos, and how they are progressing etc, which is lovely to get the updates. The whole team here really are fantastic, professional, Attentive and just well rounded a lovely team, from the Manager, Assistant Manager, to the Nursery Staff, the support staff, the cooks. My child has built a great relationship with his key worker and the staff in his room, which I’m so grateful they’ve put the time and effort into him to make him feel settled in and cared for as he can be a bit unsure at times around unfamiliar environments without me. The high standard of care this nursery gives to each individual child is outstanding, every thing they do is with the child’s needs at the forefront. We are beyond grateful for the peace of mind this nurser gives us; knowing our child is safe, happy, and so well cared for. At the start of putting my child into nursery I did worry about other people looking after him, as it wasn’t me, but that worry was soon took away which I’ll forever be grateful for. The transition was smooth and better than I imagined. We highly recommend this nursery to any parent looking for a trustworthy, loving space for their child. Thankyou to you all at Busy Bees, Belper-Gibfield Lane x

Opening times

Monday
to Friday

7:30
AM
to
6:00
PM

Busy Bees Belper, Gibfield Lane 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 Belper, Gibfield Lane 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 Belper, Gibfield Lane

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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