Our Team
Busy Bee is a family run nursery preschool and was founded in 1985 by Mrs Jackie Pipe, and is currently managed by Sophie Gray
Jackie
I began my career with young children as a primary school teacher. After having my four children I set up Busy Bee Montessori nursery school from my home. I completed a Montessori course which is the foundation of Busy Bee’s. After running the nursery school for over 30 years I have passed on the reigns to Sophie. I am still involved with the nursery behind the scenes in a supportive role and I love having the children around.
Sophie
I qualified in 2002 as a Montessori Teacher in Montessori Pedagogy at the Montessori International Centre, London. My early years career has involved holding a variety of positions including family support at Barnstaple Children’s Centre and a manager of pre-schools and a large day nursery. I am passionate about the importance of a child’s early years and development and ensuring every child has the best foundations to build upon and thrive. All children are unique and individual with their own natural path of development. I love working at Busy Bee because we have a maximum of 12 children which provides the opportunity to build strong relationships with every child and build their curriculum around their individual personalities and interests. At Busy Bee we follow the Montessori ethos of care of self, care of each other and care of the environment which creates a caring environment and enables children to build strong self-esteem, an awareness of others and the wider world. I am a mother of two boys. I enjoy yoga which I like to share with the children. I like to play the piano, dance, paddleboard and spend time by the ocean.
Sue
I hold a level 3 qualification in early years, level 3 safeguarding, and pediatric first aid. My three boys all attended Busy Bees and I therefore decided to join the team when an opportunity became available. I have worked at Busy Bees for 12 years, originally alongside Jackie, and currently with Sophie. I enjoy being part of a happy team in a small environment that ensures all children get plenty of one-to-one attention. I love being with the children, getting to know them individually, and planning activities to engage them such as cooking and crafts.
Susie
I hold an NNEB diploma and level 3 safeguarding. I worked for 15 years as a nanny in London with babies and young children. My two sons both attended Busy Bee Nursery School. Now my boys have grown up it is lovely to return to Busy Bees and be part of Sophie's team helping to give the children a nurturing early years environment. I enjoy being with the children in a small environment that enables them to build their confidence and independent skills ready to thrive at school.
Lizzie
I have worked with children for 14 years. I started my career as a primary school teacher, during this time I taught in KS1 and EYFS. After having my son (who attended Busy Bee) I decided to leave teaching so I could focus on my young family. In 2020, I started working as an LSA at a local primary school. This has given me the opportunity to provide a more nurturing role alongside supporting the children in their learning. I particularly enjoyed my time working with the children in EYFS, and enabling them to discover through play. I feel fortunate that I have been able to work with children of different ages. It has given me an insight into children’s development and how to create an enriching environment in which they can flourish.
Charities
We also encourage the participation in activities supporting charities including:
Pudsey - BBC Children in Need fundraising.
Food & Drink
We provide an organic snack, which is a choice of organic milk or water with a choice of organic/fairtrade fruit and also a choice of a plain biscuit or breadstick.
Children help prepare and distribute the snack for themselves and each other.
We promote healthy eating with our many cooking activities we practice with the children.