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Welcome to Busy Bees

Welcome to Busy Bees

Your nursery in
Matlock

Google
5 /5

9.1

Day Nurseries Score
Buggy-storage
Outdoor-facilities
Parent-room

There is much to love about Busy Bees Matlock, nestled in the picturesque county town of Derbyshire. Our nursery provides a warm and welcoming environment where babies, toddlers and preschoolers can learn, play and develop at their own pace.

Our dedicated team get to know every child as an individual, providing caring support throughout their early years and keeping families updated on their progress and milestones. With a balance of indoor and outdoor learning, we encourage children to build confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning.

Bee curious curriculum
Book visit Bee Curious Curriculum

Busy Bees
Matlock
Nursery Facilities

Our nursery offers a range of age-appropriate spaces designed to support children as they grow. Our younger children have calm, cosy environments where they can rest, play and explore through sensory experiences, while our older children can enjoy a wide range of activities that encourage curiosity and independence.

Outdoor learning is a big part of life at our Matlock nursery, with our Forest School and extensive outdoor spaces giving children the chance to explore nature, take supported risks and develop resilience. Children can also enjoy enriching experiences such as football coaching and Spanish lessons, while regular links with the local community help bring learning to life beyond the nursery.

You'll find us on Chesterfield Road in a leafy area of Matlock. We offer on-site parking for convenient drop-offs and collections, while a nearby bus stop on Bakewell Road provides an option for families travelling by public transport.

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

Special things about Matlock

Forest School

Forest School

Regular outdoor learning that builds resilience, confidence and a love of nature.

Unique to

Matlock

Extensive outdoor spaces

Extensive outdoor spaces

Large, stimulating areas for play, exploration and physical development.

Unique to

Matlock

Extra-curricular activities

Extra-curricular activities

Football and Spanish sessions to develop new skills and interests.

Unique to

Matlock

Strong community connections

Strong community connections

Helping children build confidence and a sense of belonging.

Unique to

Matlock

A warm welcome

from our Director
- Centre Director

Director

Daniel Williams

Hello, my name is Daniel Williams and I am the Centre Director here at Busy Bees Matlock.

With over 12 years of experience in childcare, including five years with Busy Bees, I have a strong passion for creating nurturing and inclusive environments where every child can feel supported and thrive. I have a particular interest in SEN and believe that every child should have the best possible start in life, with the right encouragement and opportunities to flourish.

Here at our centre, we provide an inspiring environment where children can learn through play, explore their interests and develop their confidence and independence.

Outside of nursery, I am a proud dad in a family of five and enjoy spending quality time with my family.

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

Meet the amazing team

Hannah Downey

Assistant Centre Director

Hannah Downey

Acacia Hale

Senior Room Manager

Acacia Hale

Katie Fielding

Early Years Educator

Katie Fielding

Reviews

What
Matlock
parents say

Day Nurseries

9.1

Google

5 /5

Lovely staff and lovely place. My lad is always happy to go and settled really nicely. Love getting the photo updates too. He is just so happy and comfortable with everyone there. Comes home tired, happy, and well fed which is all you can ask really.

J

10/03/2026

Absolutely wonderful nursery and staff, the best decision we made for our little girl to attend the Matlock nursery.

A

31/12/2025

Opening times

Monday
to Friday

7:30
AM
to
6:00
PM

Busy Bees Matlock 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 Matlock 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 Matlock

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.

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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