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
Third in charge and
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. 

 

Leanne Potter

 Key worker

I began my carer in childcare in 2019 and

 started working for Busy Bees in 2023.
I hold a 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. 



Joanne Dumbleton 
Key worker

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


I am currently on maternity Leave. 

Could this be you?

Are you looking at a career in Childcare? Please do get in contact to see if we can support you in this!

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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!


July 2025


You made my child's time at Busy Bees very special and magical. you helped them with their confidence.


Thank you so much for all your love and support you have given my child. even though they have only been there a short time, they have loved every second there! thank you for all your hard work!


When asking my child what he liked about Busy Bees, he said I love Busy Bees because

1) I love all my friends there

2) I love playing bingo and winning biscuits

3) I love playing with racing cars

4) I love Penni as she always says good morning to me


I just want to say thank you to everyone who has looked after our child over the past couple of months. you have made both me and my child feel happy and excited with the nursery routine and just seeing the smile on their face when they come home from nursery and tells me about their day is just reassuring to me. we know he had the best days with you all.


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


It was a beautiful time we had a Busy Bees. Thank you to you Rebecca for being so awesome and thank you to all your staff that follow your values, we will miss you all.


Just want to say a massive thank you to each and everyone of you for your ongoing and continued support, our child has really enjoyed their time with you.


Awww my baby has got to big! thank you Rebecca for everything you have done for me and my children, you have made us feel so welcome and loved my babies like they were your own. Your efforts, work load and passion is not un-noticed. For our child to run straight in and not look back , no tears, no fight... i know your doing something right. I am gutted that its time for us to go, if only we could take you with us!



Key Dates for your diary


  • Autumn term begins Monday 8th September to Friday 19th December 2025


  • Setting closed for staff training on Wednesday 24th September 2025.


  • October half term is Monday 27th October to Friday 31st October, we reopen on Monday 3rd November 2025


  • Halloween Party Saturday 25th October 1-3pm in the community centre, £5.00 per ticket, (one ticket per child) to be brought in advance. Contact Penni at pennibusybees@mail.com if you would like to buy a ticket. Please let Penni 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 9th December 2025 4-6pm at Busy Bees. All welcome


  • Spring term begins on Tuesday 6th January 2026 to Friday 27th March 2026.

 

  • Teacher training day- setting closed to all children on Monday 5th January 2026- All staff annual safeguarding training.


  • February half term Monday 16th to Friday 20th February. we reopen on Monday 23rd February 2026


  • Easter raffle running from 9th March to the 20th March 2026- will be drawn on Wednesday 25th March 2026.


  • Dress a colour week- we decided to do a week as not all children attend everyday and we do not want any child to miss out. You can do one day or everyday the choice is yours, this is running from the 2nd- 6th March 2026. 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 2nd wear an item or the whole outfit with the colour Red in
  • Tuesday 3rd wear an item or the whole outfit with the colour Blue in
  • Wednesday 4th wear an item or the whole outfit with the colour Green in
  • Thursday 5th wear an item or the whole outfit with the colour Yellow in
  • Friday 6th wear an item or the whole outfit with multicolours in 

 

  • Easter half term Friday 27th March to Friday 10th April 2026. We reopen on Monday 13th April 2026.


  • Bank Holidays Monday 4th May and Monday 25th May 2026- Setting will be closed on these days.


  • May half term Monday 25th to Friday 29th May 2026.


  • Summer term begins on Monday 13th April to Thursday 16th July 2026.

 

  • Wacky Week- Monday 29th June to Friday 3rd July- we decided to do a week as not all children attend everyday and we do not want any child to miss out. You can do one day or everyday, the choice is yours. We ask for a donation of a bottle, this could be a bottle of bubble bath, a bottle of sauce or a bottle of wine to go towards our bottle tombola at the summer fate. You can dress as wacky as you want, the choice is yours. 


  • Last day of term for the children is Thursday 16th July 2026.


  • Graduation day (School leavers only) Friday 17th July 2026. 9:30-10am. Children to arrive at 9:15am for a 9:30am start.


  • Summer fate Friday 17th July 11am till 2pm. All welcome.