Busy Bees Kindergarten
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Manningtree for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in July 2022. Open since 2009, with 59 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 Essex
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Essex 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
CO11 2BNWhat 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.
Ofsted inspector, 14 July 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children benefit from an extremely well-resourced and inviting environment. They separate from their parents confidently and are greeted by warm and welcoming staff. Children swiftly settle because staff know them well and provide the nurturing and encouragement that children need to thrive. Children become deeply involved in their self-directed learning. Staff provide sensitive support that helps children to maintain a focused and determined attitude to their learning. Babies put their arms up for cuddles and form strong attachments to their key persons and other staff in the baby room. Children demonstrate that they feel exceptionally safe and secure.
Staff model excellent manners, kindness and consideration to others. They teach children to follow simple rules, which prepare them to be responsible citizens.
Children love to help with simple tasks. They learn to take turns and play cooperatively. Staff demonstrate that they are interested in the children and what they have to say. Staff respond swiftly and sensitively to children's verbal and nonverbal cues. Children learn the value of communicating to express their wants and needs. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive tailored support that meet their needs. Consequently, all children make sustained progress in their learning.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- implement consistent strategies that make the most of opportunities to further develop children's self-care skills so they are fully independent.
- 14 July 2022Good
- 11 March 2016Good
- 12 January 2010Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Busy Bees Kindergarten
- 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.