Busy Bees Day Nursery at Maidstone Ragstone House
Good★ 4.8 on GoogleBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in Maidstone for children from birth to 5, open 07:30 to 18:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in March 2023. Open since 1998, with 51 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Kent
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Kent from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
ME15 6SAWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
- 31 March 2026 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 6 October 2025 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 20 May 2024 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 16 March 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children of all ages and abilities are settled, confident and very happy at the stimulating and welcoming setting. Staff ensure that they engage all children, as they have a clear understanding of how they embed their chosen curriculum well.
Children are eager to join in with the motivating activities that staff carefully plan for them. For example, older children explore science as they make erupting volcanoes. They learn about what happens when they mix different materials. They are excited to watch their experiment work as the volcano erupts. Younger children enjoy exploring art. For instance, they investigate different ways to make marks, such as using pattern rollers and animals in paint.
Staff are positive role models, and all children know what is expected of them.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- further improve teaching to make sure all children who show interest are consistently engaged in small-group activities n help staff understand the importance of ensuring all children consistently follow good hygiene routines.
- 16 March 2023Good
- 25 August 2017Good
- 28 May 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Maidstone Ragstone House
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.