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Busy Bees
Busy Bees is a nursery group.
About Busy Bees, in their own words:
At Busy Bees, our people are passionate about delivering early years education that empowers and inspires children to create their own futures.
Busy Bees Nurseries is a leading provider of early childhood education and care, committed to nurturing the development of young minds. With a global presence, Busy Bees focuses on creating engaging environments where children can learn, play, and grow.
We believe that our employees are our greatest assets. We invest in their professional growth through continuous training and development opportunities. At Busy Bees, we foster a supportive and inclusive work culture where creativity and innovation are celebrated.
We recognize the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible schedules to accommodate the diverse needs of our team members. Competitive compensation packages, comprehensive benefits, and a positive working environment contribute to a fulfilling career at Busy Bees.
Busy Bees Nurseries is a dynamic organization committed to providing high-quality early years education while fostering a positive work environment for its employees. Our approach to learning, dedication to safety, and emphasis on employee well-being make Busy Bees a rewarding place to work and a trusted choice for parents seeking exceptional childcare services.
The best things about working at Busy Bees
- 78% say they get proper breaks
- 69% say they enjoy their job
- 61% say they have respectful managers
Featured by Busy Bees, based on 820 employees who took the Breakroom Quiz
What Busy Bees say
Perks of working at Busy Bees from Busy Bees
- đź’° Leading pay and bonuses
- đź’¸ Up to 50% discount on childcare fees at our nurseries
- 🎓 Amazing learning and development opportunities
- 🚀 Career advancement opportunities and the ability to create your own pathway
- 🤑 High street retail and online discounts
- 🥳 Your birthday off in addition to your annual holiday
- ⚖️ Flexibility to work around your life commitments
- 🌎 Opportunities to work globally through our talent exchange programme
- 🙇 Recognition and rewards to say thank you for a job well done
- 🤕 Employee Assistance Programme as well as our Peppy and Mental Health Apps to help you navigate life when things are tricky
- đź’ž A company-wide commitment to employee wellbeing and a culture of giving back
Diversity and inclusion statement from Busy Bees
At Busy Bees Nurseries, we’re all about embracing the world with the pure, open-hearted spirit of a child who sees no differences—just a bunch of inspirational individuals ready to learn and grow together! We’re on a mission to create an environment where everyone, no matter their background, feels that warm sense of belonging and appreciation.
Just like we encourage little ones to be curious and kind, we’re shaking things up in our hiring processes. We’re not just aiming for fairness and equity – we want to tear down any barriers that might stand in the way of fantastic people becoming part of Busy Bees. And we’re not just ticking boxes; we’re creating a workplace that celebrates the unique strengths each person brings.
So, join us in looking at the world through the eyes of a child – making Busy Bees Nurseries a place where everyone can shine and share their awesome talents.
Company values from Busy Bees
Care
We take care of the children entrusted to us and our dedicated staff. All are appreciated and diversity is valued.
Quality
We maintain the highest standards in care and safety and provide exceptional early years education.
Service
We provide exceptional service and are integral to supporting parents bringing up children.
Value
We provide outstanding value for our families.
Pay Explainer from Busy Bees
The pay range for roles at Busy Bees is dependent on age, seniority, and location.
- Apprentices and 16-17 year olds are paid ÂŁ7.50 per hour
- 18-20 year olds are paid £8.67 per hour (£12 per hour If you’re based in Scotland)
- 21+ year olds are paid £11.53 per hour (£12 per hour If you’re based in Scotland)
Featured roles from Busy Bees
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Level 3 Nursery Practitioner
Level 3 Childcare
Busy Bees look forward to welcoming a new Level 3 Nursery Practitioner, assisting them in giving our children the best start in life.
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Relief Nursery Practitioner
Passion for Childcare
The warm and friendly team look forward to welcoming a new practitioner on a relief basis, joining them in giving our children the best start in life.
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Apprentice Level 3 Practitioner
1 year childcare experience
As an award-winning apprenticeship provider, we’re passionate about developing world-class learners.
What Busy Bees employees say
820 Busy Bees employees have taken the Breakroom Quiz and told us what it’s really like to work there. Here’s everything they have told us:
Breakroom Rating for Busy Bees
Pay
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Okay
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Only some people are paid a living wage
Do Busy Bees pay a living wage?
Some people are not paid a living wage.
How we know this
59% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 114 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are ÂŁ12.60 per hour, and ÂŁ13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Good
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Most people are paid market rates
Do Busy Bees pay market rates?
Most people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
67% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 87 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Needs improving
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Under 21s get paid less than everyone else
Do Busy Bees pay the same regardless of age?
No, people under the age of 21 get paid less than those above 21.
See what Busy Bees pays different age groupsHow we know this
The average pay of under 21s is less than those who are over 21.Based on data from 141 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2023 and April 2025.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do workers at Busy Bees get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
97% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 118 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get sick pay
Do Busy Bees pay sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
91% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 114 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Okay
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Some people do unpaid extra work
Do workers at Busy Bees do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
57% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 109 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
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Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do people get of their shift pattern at Busy Bees?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 95% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 2% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 1% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 3% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 118 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Good
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Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do workers at Busy Bees worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
92% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 112 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Okay
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Only some people get a choice of shifts
Do Busy Bees workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
52% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 118 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Needs improving
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Hard to change shifts
How easy is it for Busy Bees workers to change shifts?
Most people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
73% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 77 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Okay
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Can be hard to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at Busy Bees?
Some people find it hard to book holiday.
How we know this
51% of people report it’s hard to book holidays.Based on data from 106 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Okay
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Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do Busy Bees managers change shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
50% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 105 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Needs improving
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Most people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at Busy Bees?
Most people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
84% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 110 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Good
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Most students say it’s good
Is a Busy Bees job good for students?
Most students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying.
How we know this
79% of students report this is a good place to work if you’re studying.Based on data from 47 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should allow you to fit work around important things in your life, like studying.
Life isn’t just about work. Good jobs make space for you to do well in both.
Okay
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Only some parents say it’s good
Is working at Busy Bees good if you’re a parent or carer?
Only some parents and carer say this is a good place to work.
How we know this
37% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.Based on data from 38 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
Workplace
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Okay
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Only some people feel treated with respect
Do people at Busy Bees feel treated with respect by their managers?
Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
39% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 101 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Good
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Most people get proper breaks
Do people at Busy Bees get proper breaks?
Most people get proper breaks.
How we know this
78% of people report that they get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 107 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful to work at Busy Bees?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
90% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 114 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Good
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Most people enjoy their job
Do people at Busy Bees enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job.
How we know this
69% of people report they enjoy their job.Based on data from 95 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t recommend their team
Do people at Busy Bees recommend working with their team?
Not many people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
70% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 124 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at Busy Bees?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
46% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 112 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Okay
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Only some people get support to progress
Are people given support to progress at Busy Bees?
Only some people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 38% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 109 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do people think Busy Bees head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
88% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 103 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Okay
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Only some people feel well informed by head office
Do workers feel well informed about how Busy Bees is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
57% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 104 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
Busy Bees job reviews
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Best thing
The children and some of the people I work with.
Worst thing
Busy Bees is a terrible company to work for and would not recommend it to anyone. All they care about is money and how they look to the public. Any perks they offer is just to make themselves try to look good. The way they have treated members of staff in my place of work is awful and frustrating. If you’re thinking of working in childcare, DO NOT put Busy Bees at the top of your list.
Nursery practitioner at Busy Bees, February 2025
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Best thing
Seeing the children progress.
Knowing you've helped SEN children develop.
Knowing the children have a bond with you.
Bonding with parents.
Working in a room where i get along with others.Worst thing
Pettiness.
Cliques.
Management having favourites.
Unrealistic demands on busy days.
No consideration for staff's wellbeing.
Over ratio.Not taking into consideration that a room needs extra help for when SEN children are in and the 1:3/1:5/1:8 ratio can't be done when the SEN child needs your whole attention.
NEVER getting off on time.
You can't even book a doctor's appointment without scrutiny.
No praise.
Scare mongering and threats with moving you into another room if you aren't doing well.You don't feel valued, you are just a number in a room to account for the children, they don't care if you're sick, if your pet is dying or sick, if you want to go to your close friend or in laws funeral ("because they aren't family")
I can go on.....Early years practitioner at Busy Bees, June 2024
More about childcare providers
Busy Bees ranks joint 18th to work for out of childcare providers.
- 16= The Old Station Nursery
- 18= Busy Bees
- 18= Kindred
Rankings are based on Breakroom Ratings for employers with 30 or more Breakroom Quiz responses, accurate as of 23 April 2025.