Welcome to Busy Bees

Busy Bees Childcare Centre is located near Carver Barracks, Wimbish, Essex.

We offer places for children aged 2 to 4 years 11 months during term time.

We are open to military and civilian families. 

We provide an environment that meets the needs of the children in our care, developing their curiosity and wonder of the world around them while fostering a life long love of learning. 

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage with its 7 areas of learning, each child is allocated a key worker that will ensure your child is safe and happy, while planning for their individual needs.

The key worker will observe your child, keep track of their development in their learning journal and plan for your child’s next steps.

We have a team of highly qualified and experienced staff, including skilled special educational needs coordinators on site. They are able to offer support to your child and your family in gaining referrals and additional help and guidance if required. 
We love to be outside, whatever the weather and have a secure outdoor play area with a range of outdoor equipment, which includes an outdoor climbing frame to encourage climbing, coordination, negotiating and risk taking.
 
The early years of a child’s first educational experiences are very important, we are here to give you the support and care to help develop happy and confident children that will be ready for school when they leave us.

We'd love to invite you in for a visit so you can meet our team, see what we have to offer and how we can best meet your child’s needs.

Our Fees

   

£21.00 for a 3 hour Session (8:45-11:45 am)

£42.00 for a 6 hour session (8:45-2:45 pm)


£7.00 for Lunch Club (11:45-12:45 pm)


We offer a learning environment tailored to each child's needs and interests. Across our day we have different activities including carpet time, phonics, snack, story time, number time and singing. We know that children are at their most engaged when playing and exploring with things that interest them. Our staff our at hand to help each child achieve their next steps and work together to provide the best possible learning experiences.

Person in charge:  Rebecca Browne (Nursery Manager)
Service Offered:  Pre-school, Open term time only.
Opening Days:  Mon-Fri
Opening Hours:  8:45am-2.45pm
Lunch club hours runs Monday to Friday 11:45-12:45pm Closed:  Bank Holidays and school holidays
Total Places for Children:  40
Age Range:  From 2 years to 4 years 11 months
Local Authority: Essex County Council  
Number of Staff: 9

We accept Funding for 2,3 and 4 year olds.

For more details or to see if you are eligible please visit Apply for free childcare if you're working - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)



Spaces available.


 Please call to check our availability for September.

To book a place or for funding enquiries please get in touch
Busy Bees Childcare Centre
Village Square
Rowney Avenue
Wimbish
Essex
CB10 2YA

01799 523 542
bees.busy@yahoo.co.uk

Contact us

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Meet our team

We have a strong team of highly qualified and experienced staff, including skilled special educational needs coordinators on site. They are able to offer support to your child and your family in gaining referrals and additional help and guidance if required. 
Our team meet regularly to update their training, plan learning that meets the needs of the children and organise activities for us all to enjoy during our time at preschool. 
example@mail.com
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Rebecca Browne
Manager

I began my carer in childcare in 2003 and started working for Busy Bees in 2012.
I hold a Foundation Degree of Arts in Early Years Practice as well as a Level 2,3 and 5 qualification in Childcare. I also hold a level 3 in Early Language Development, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Mental Health in young people.
I hold a level 4 in Advanced EYFS Teaching and a diploma in Child Psychology. I keep my training current by completing online courses.

I am the settings Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSL) and our Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCO) 

I have four boys, three who work full time and one who attends a local high school. 

I enjoy spending time with my family, reading and swimming. 

 
example@mail.com

Penni Purkhardt
Deputy Manager and
Room Leader

I began my carer in 2004 and started working for Busy Bees in 2020. I hold a level 2 and 3 in Childcare. I am Makaton level 1 and 2 trained.

I am the settings second Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). I am also the lead for the Prevent Duty. I keep my training current by completing online courses.


I am married and have two children that attend local schools. 


I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking and baking and going for long walks. 


 

Sophie Payze
Room Leader

I began my carer in childcare in 2020 and started working for Busy Bees in 2021. 
I hold a level 3 in childcare, I am the third Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSL) and I keep my training current by completing online courses.

I am married and have four children, who all attend local school.



I enjoy going on holiday, walking and hiking up mountains with my family and dogs. 


Christine Ward
Key Worker

I began my carer in childcare in 1998 and started working for Busy Bees in 2007.
I hold an NVQ level 2and 3 in childcare. I keep my training current by completing online courses.
I am the settings English as an Additional Language (EAL) Lead.

I grow up in Essex and now live in a local village.

I am married and have three grown children.

I enjoy spending time with my grown-up children and husband and visits to our family’s holiday home in Norfolk. 

 

Zoe Harrison
Key worker

  I began my carer in childcare in 2020 and started working for Busy Bees in 2020.

I hold a Level 2 and 3 in childcare. I am Makaton level 1 and 2 trained and am the Equality and Diversity (ENCO) Co-Ordinator. I keep my training current by completing online courses.


I am married and have two children who attend a local school.


I enjoy spending time with my family, a good book and being creative with new crafts. 





   

Joanne Dumbleton 
Key worker
I began my carer in childcare in 2023 and started working for Busy Bees in 2023. I am working towards my level 2 in childcare. I keep my training current by completing online courses.

I am married and have two children who attend a local school. 

I enjoy spending time with my family, reading and am part of the Wimbish Military’s Wives Choir. 




Paige Kemp
Key Worker 
I began my carer in childcare in 2023 and started working for Busy Bees in 2023.

I hold a Degree in Zoology with animal behaviour, and keep my training current by completing online courses.

I am married and have an array of animals.

I enjoy reading, crochet and spending time with my husband.  


Jamie-Leigh Wray
Key Worker

I began my carer in childcare in 2012 and started working for Busy Bees in 2023.

I hold a level 2 in childcare and a level 2 and 3 in understanding Autism. I keep my training current by completing online courses.


I am married and have a dog and five cats. 


I enjoy spending time with my husband and pets and watching Football and Formula One. 



 

Leanne Potter
Key Worker

I began my carer in childcare in 2019 and

 started working for Busy Bees in 2023.


I am currently working towards my Level 2 in 

childcare and keep my training current by 

completing online courses.


I am married and have two children, 

who attend local schools. 


I enjoy crocheting and am heavily involved with

Ice hockey, Running the junior club and watching

my son play ice hockey. 



 

Messages from Parents

2024-2025


Thank you so much for helping our child settle into the setting and helping us with her seamless transition to a nursey. From day 1 she has always ran out with a beaming smile and this is all thanks to all of the friendly and caring staff. I am so grateful to you all allowing me to get off to work knowing she is in fantastic hands.


Thank you for everything you have done for our child, she felt right at home from her first day!


Thank you for everything you have done for our children. we have been very lucky to have both our children go to your nursery. You really are an amazing team. You will never know how grateful we are.


Thank you for all your hard work. Thank you for creating such a lovely nurturing environment for the children. 


Thank you very much for helping me grow and always teaching me. 


To all the amazing staff at Busy Bees, thank you for welcoming our child in with open arms, you have helped moving here smooth out and getting our child ready for school.


To my nursery teachers, thank you so much for bee-ing amazing! Thank you, for all you do- I've learnt so much because of you! You make learning fun and exciting everyday. 


Thank you for everything you have done for our child, they have loved their time with you all and will miss everyone so much. 


Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for me and my child. You really are an amazing woman and I admire you!





Key Dates for your diary


  • Autumn term begins Wednesday 4th September to Wednesday 11th December 2024


  • October half term is Monday 28th October to  Friday 1st November, we reopen on Monday 4th November 2024


  • Halloween Party Saturday 26th October 2-4pm in the community centre, £5.00 per ticket, (one ticket per child) to be brought in advance. contact Zoe at zoebusybees@mail.com if you would like to buy a ticket, please let Zoe know of any allergies your child has when purchasing the ticket, this is open to children over the age of 2 and under the age of 10 years.


  • Christmas Fate Tuesday 10th December 2024 4-6pm at Busy Bees. 


  • Spring term begins on Wednesday 8th January to Thursday 3rd April 2025.

 

  • Teacher training day- setting closed to all children on Tuesday 7th January 2025- All staff annual safeguarding training.


  • February half term Monday 17th to Friday 21st February. we reopen on Monday 24th February 2025


  • Easter raffle running from 10th March to the 1st April 2025- will be drawn on Wednesday 2nd April.


  • Dress a colour week- we decided to do a week as not all children attend every day and didn't want any child to miss out. You can do one day or everyday the choice is yours, this is running from the 10th- 14th March. we ask for a donation of chocolate, this could be a chocolate bar, an easter egg, or a bag of chocolate the choice is yours.
  • Monday 10th wear an item or the whole outfit with the colour Red in
  • Tuesday 11th wear an item or the whole outfit with the colour Blue in
  • Wednesday 12th wear an item or the whole outfit with the colour Green in
  • Thursday 13th wear an item or the whole outfit with the colour Yellow in
  • Friday 14th wear an item or the whole outfit with multicolours in 

 

  • Easter half term Friday 4th April to Tuesday 22nd April 2025. we reopen on Wednesday 23rd April.


  • Bank Holidays Monday 5th May and Monday 26th May 2025 Setting will be closed on these days.


  • May half term Monday 26th to Friday 30th May 2025.


  • Summer term begins on Tuesday 22nd April to Friday 18th July 2025.