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Welcome to Busy Bees

Welcome to Busy Bees

Your nursery in
Hempstead

Ofsted
Google
5 /5

9.9

Day Nurseries Score
Outdoor-facilities
Parking

Looking for a safe, supportive nursery in Hempstead? We’ve got you.

At Busy Bees Hempstead, we’re passionate about cultivating an engaging environment where your little one can develop their confidence and feed their curiosity.

Bee curious curriculum
Book visit Bee Curious Curriculum

Busy Bees
Hempstead
Nursery Facilities

Our spacious rooms are tailored to specific age groups, with separate areas for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, each packed with age-appropriate toys and activities.

Whether they’re discovering the magic of books, creating their latest fridge-ready masterpiece, or exploring the natural world in our spacious garden, your little one will have access to everything they need to make each day a fresh adventure.

We’ve even got a dedicated sensory room, filled with gentle lights, a bubble tube and fine-motor toys; perfect for settling down if the day gets a bit hectic.

Our mission is to give your little one the head start they deserve, setting them off on a lifelong learning adventure, equipped with the skills they need to shine.

You’ll find us on Hempstead Road, next door to the Hempstead Neighbourhood Community Hub, roughly a 10-minute walk from the heart of the village.

Hempstead Heath Infant School is nearby, making us ideal for parents with older children.

Arriving by car? We’ve got secure on-site parking for swift and safe drop-offs and pick-ups. If you’re driving from nearby Gillingham, we’re just 15-minutes away.

Travelling on public transport? The infant school bus stop is a 1-minute walk away and served by the 113.

Want to see Busy Bees Hempstead for yourself? Book a visit today. Claire and the team will be happy to show you around and answer any questions you may have.

 

Special things about Hempstead

Spacious outdoor garden

Spacious outdoor garden

 A space to explore, available to all ages.

Unique to

Hempstead

Long-standing staff team

Long-standing staff team

Creating a home-from-home atmosphere.

Unique to

Hempstead

Conviniently located

Conviniently located

Close to the Motorway and Public Transport 

Unique to

Hempstead

A warm welcome

from our Director
- Centre Director

Director

Claire Arkell

Hello my name is Claire Arkell and I am the Nursery Manager at Hempstead Busy Bees.

I have been with Busy Bees since they acquired the Kinder sites in March 2014.

I have been in childcare now for 11 years and hold a NVQ 3 in Children's Care Learning and Development. I have worked in a number of nurseries and for the last 9 years have been working at Management level. Along the way I have gained a lot of knowledge and experience which I reflect in my day to day practice, using this to guide the staff team and share my experience.

I attend regular training to improve my practice including, First Aid and Safeguarding.

It fills me with pride when you can see how the children flourish and develop in our care and become the individual people with shining characteristics that they are.

 

 

 

Meet the amazing team

Kirsty Summerfield

Room Manager

Kirsty Summerfield

Vicky Bosworth

Qualified Early Years Educator

Vicky Bosworth

Reviews

What
Hempstead
parents say

Ofsted

Ofsted Good

Day Nurseries

9.9

Google

5 /5

My daughter attends Hempstead busy bees 4 days a week and she absolutely loves it ! The staff are super friendly and welcoming, my daughter has a lot of health issues and the nursery has been so supportive and have helped with medication she has needed to take whilst at nursery and have really helped her with her developmental journey. I would definitely recommend this nursery to others.

KS

28/08/2026

They really are the best 🥰 how diffrent my son is from when he started to now is AMAZING , 🫶, so happy with my choice in busy bees 👌❤️

L

27/08/2026

Happy with Busy Bees hempstead because my boy is always happy to go in and enjoys his time there. The staff are always friendly and they do create a good atmosphere for the kids. I get regular updates through their app which is also great 😃

TM

26/08/2026

Opening times

Monday
to Friday

8:00
AM
to
6:00
PM

Busy Bees Hempstead 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, Busy Bees Hempstead 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 Hempstead

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.

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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