Busy Bees, one of the world’s biggest early years providers, is opening a new purpose-built nursery in Lichfield, bringing the global brand’s 40-year story back to its roots.
Lichfield, 1983: Three families began a search for the right nursery to give their own children the very best start in life.
Their quest – for inspiring childcare that offered nurturing care in a stimulating environment, with lots of opportunities for play and development – led them to establish their own nursery in the city.
Over the past four decades, their vision has grown into the UK’s largest nursery group and expanded around the globe. Today, the world-leading Busy Bees group runs more than 930 centres and cares for over 85,000 children across Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania.
Co-Founder Marg Randles continues to be a driving force in the business, and she is delighted to see a new Busy Bees nursery opening in Lichfield in its anniversary year.
Marg said: “I am so proud to be opening a brand-new nursery in Lichfield and bringing our business back to where it all began.
“This is truly special for me as my own children were among the first to become part of the Busy Bees family at that first nursery – and I will have a grandchild attending this latest centre!
“For the past 40 years, we’ve remained true to the values of our first nursery, Rocklands in Lichfield, striving to create safe and enriching environments filled with opportunities to learn and develop.
“Our passionate nursery teams work hard to respect the individuality of every child and to respond to their emotional needs, supporting and developing their imagination and interests, just as it was in our first venture all those years ago.”
Marg Randles, Co-Founder
The new Busy Bees Lichfield nursery, on Birmingham Road, combines all the traditional values of the brand with the latest sustainable building measures to create an inspiring and ecologically-mindful environment.
The centre offers 110 places for local babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers in bright and spacious rooms with plenty of space for children to play and explore., along with thoughtfully designed outdoor play areas and a living nature wall.
Marg added: “In our milestone year, it’s a time to reflect on the amazing work of our dedicated Busy Bees team, past and present, in providing truly exceptional care and the best beginnings for hundreds of thousands of children across the globe.
“This is also the perfect time to look to the future and to reaffirm our commitment to making brilliant childcare accessible, developing future generations to be curious and responsible citizens of the world.”
Busy Bees has developed a practical, child-centred approach to providing exceptional early years education that exceeds Government standards to ensure every child gets the best start in life.
It offers a stimulating home-from-home environment filled with rich learning experiences, activities tailored for each age group and NHS-accredited meals and snacks, freshly prepared on site by nursery chefs.
In addition to following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework in England, Busy Bees’ commitment to excellence is demonstrated through its own educational programme, exclusively available to Busy Bees educators and parents, designed to ensure that every child follows their interests and has the best start for lifelong learning.
To find out more, visit www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk
PICTURED:
1. (from left) Busy Bees European CEO Chris McCandless and co-founder Marg Randles, Mayor of Lichfield Councillor Jamie Checkland, and Kelly Allington, centre director at Busy Bees Lichfield, cut the ribbon to declare the centre open.
2. (from left) Mayoress of Lichfield Stephanie Checkland, Busy Bees co-founder Marg Randles, Mayor of Lichfield Councillor Jamie Checkland, Busy Bees Lichfield centre director Kelly Allington, and Busy Bees European CEO Chris McCandless, with a cake to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the leading childcare group.
3. Busy Bees co-founder Marg Randles (right), with her daughter Emma Bell who attended the very first Busy Bees nursery, and grandson Jude who will go to the newly opened Busy Bees Lichfield.
