Busy Bees Day Nursery at Walthamstow
Good★ 3.8 on GoogleBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in London 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 2024. Open since 2001, with 140 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 Waltham Forest
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Waltham Forest 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
E17 5QAWhat 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.
- 19 May 2025 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 21 September 2023 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 20 July 2022 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 14 March 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Since the last inspection, staff have worked hard to create a happy and safe environment for all children. They have put a stronger emphasis on promoting inclusive practice. For example, staff enable children to take part in extra-curricular activities to enhance their learning experiences. This benefits children well, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Staff teach children to play well together. This is evident, for instance, when older children confidently remind each other of their turn during an activity.
Staff form close relationships with children, including those who have recently joined the nursery. This helps children to settle quickly. Staff are enthusiastic and motivate babies to play with stacking rings and building blocks. Babies show their enjoyment by clapping their hands and smiling. Staff who work with toddlers spend their time looking at books and singing songs with the children. They encourage children to explore musical instruments, such as bells and shakers. Toddlers have a wonderful time as they move their bodies and copy actions of familiar nursery rhymes. Staff encourage older children to explore a sensory tray filled with flowers, sand and feathers. They promote children's creativity well.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- continue to support staff with the use of questioning to promote children's language and thinking skills further n maintain good hygiene practices, especially consistent handwashing procedures among staff, to protect children's health.
- 14 March 2024Good
- 16 March 2023Needs improvement
- 25 May 2021Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Walthamstow
- 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.