About Bee Curious Childcare


Our Journey

Bee Curious Childcare was set up by Caroline Akker, a Primary School Teacher specialising in Early Years, as Bee Curious Childminding in June 2021 in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.



During the first two years, Caroline continued her professional development, gaining a Diploma in Forest Schooling and gaining a “The Curiosity Approach” accreditation. 

  

  

 

When Bee Curious Childminding received it’s first Ofsted Inspection Report, (Outstanding in All Areas), demand quickly outgrew our capacity, and the journey towards expansion into Bee Curious Childcare began. 


Bee Curious Childcare opened it’s doors in January 2024, and strives to provide the same Outstanding level of childcare provision as Bee Curious Childminding

   

 

Bee Curious Childcare

Providing quality childcare working to the EYFS and Development Matters frameworks and the Curiosity Approach and Forest School ethoses 


Our Learning Environment



Our setting is full of provocations and invitations to play and is set up to provide a stimulating learning environment for all types of schema and children's individual interests.

We feel so lucky to now be based at Glebe Farm where we opened at the beginning of January


Fees

Full day 
from 8am to 5pm

Fees depend on FEEE funding eligibility and Tax Free Childcare payments.  

Includes breakfast, morning and afternoon snack and drinks all day
Hot lunch also included
(provided by Le Cafe at Glebe farm) 

Open hours


From January 2024, we are open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

We can offer a limited number of term time only places as well as year round care. 

We close for 2 weeks at Christmas 

Friendly


We are a friendly, home from home setting.  And when you join you become part of our wider bee family. We host events throughout the year to create positive relationships.


Flexible


Subject to availability, we can offer part or full time childcare to cover office hours or shift work 

Early drop-offs and late pick-ups may be accommodated by prior arrangement, (fees apply).


Experienced


I am a qualified teacher, with over 17 years experience, specialising in early years. I work with another qualified teacher and a number of experienced early years practitioners, who share my passion and hold relevant childcare qualifications.

As a childminder, I was OFSTED Outstanding, (we await our first inspection as a nursery), are Curiosity Approach accredited and I also hold a level 2 qualification in Neuroscience in Early Years

Ask about our availability

Complete the form, call us on 07432219777 or message us on Facebook @beecuriouschildcare

 If you're looking for a childminder with a difference, Bee Curious is definitely above and beyond what you'd expect from a traditional childminding service. The setting is small and intimate with lots of one on one interaction and play, which is the perfect setting for our little girl who can be a little nervous in large group settings. She started at Bee Curious just before her 1st birthday and has come on so much since being cared for by Caroline and the rest of the Bee Curious family.
Alicia Whittaker
We have an inquisitive, active, fun loving 2 year old who loves socialising with his friends and exploring. When looking for local childcare in Autumn 2021 we feel incredibly lucky to have found Bee Curious. As soon as we went to visit the setting, we knew this home-from-home childminders would be the perfect next step for his development. With a purpose built cabin, which is a child’s dream full of magic, wonder, activities and different corners to spark their imaginations. Caroline and the team have created a learning environment based around each of the ‘bees’ interests, such as digger land, as our little boy is obsessed with ‘dig digs’ and also common interests to bring them together with their friends - there is a reading chair and an area by the big windows to watch the birds & draw pictures.
Bee Curious has become an extension of our family and we can’t begin to thank them enough for everything they’ve done over the last 18 months helping our little one grow and develop. Thanks to their nurturing care and curiosity approach to learning, with lots of opportunities to explore outdoors and go on exciting trips, we see his confidence and personality shining through. Each day he is finding out new things about the world and telling us about it. He leaves the house with big smiles in the morning and wants to stay when we go to pick him up, there is nothing that makes you happier as a parent than knowing your child is safe, happy and thriving. Thank you Bee Curious, you are such a huge part of who our special little boy is becoming, we will forever be grateful to you!
 Jen Baily-Berkolds

Being a mum of 4 and familiar with nursery and childminding settings, Bee curious is a rare find. My child settled in very quickly and has built a good bond with his carers. In a home from home environment Caroline excels with her attention to detail in the setting and ability to adapt to children’s individual needs and interests. Communication is excellent and It was also no hassle helping us continue our breastfeeding journey with a bottle refusing baby. We look forward to our new addition joining later this year and excited for the adventures they will have together at the hive.


 Sarah-Jane Lendon
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