A lovely nursery in a beautiful setting, overlooking fields and animals. First used the nursery from 2011 for my first son and it was the obvious choice to use for my second son. The children take part in a great selection of activities and are looked after by lovely staff. I have found the nursery to be a great headstart to the children's learning and is a brilliant way to prepare for school.
Bluebell Barn
Exceptional childcare, surrounded by nature
Bluebell Barn - Surrounded by Nature
Our Setting:
Nestled on the edge of Eastbourne, Bluebell Barn Children's Nursery offers a nurturing, inspiring environment where children can learn, grow and thrive. Set within a beautifully converted barn overlooking open fields and woodland, our unique setting provides the perfect balance of adventure, exploration and nurture.
Inside, our bright, welcoming rooms are carefully designed to spark curiosity, encourage independence and support every stage of your child's development. Outside, our spacious enclosed garden gives children the freedom to connect with nature, build confidence and enjoy a wealth of outdoor learning experiences.
Safe Adventure:
At Bluebell Barn, creating a safe and secure environment is at the heart of everything we do. Our nursery and gardens are fully enclosed, giving families complete peace of mind while children explore, play and flourish.
Convenient Location:
Conveniently located just 10 minutes from Eastbourne town centre, Pevensey and Hailsham, and less than five minutes from Polegate railway station, Bluebell Barn is easily accessible from the A22, A259 and A27, making it an ideal choice for local families and commuters alike.
Starting your child at Bluebell Barn:
Starting your child at nursery is a big change in a baby or child’s life, as well as a parent, so we want to make that transition as easy as possible for you.
Each child is unique and the amount of time that a child takes to settle into nursery can vary enormously. Therefore, children will be given time to settle in at their own pace, so as to make them feel welcome, safe and confident in a new environment.
As part of our settling-in process, we offer a home visit and settling-in sessions that will allow your child to develop relationships with our staff and other children in their room, and also provide an opportunity for parents to discuss individual needs and routines with the key person.
Key persons:
A key person is a named member of staff assigned to an individual child to support their development and act as the key point of contact with that child’s parents or carers. The key person system helps build and develop positive relationships with children and between parents, carers and staff.
Nursery Life at the Barn
Starting in ‘Blueberries’ and moving through to ‘Cherries’, The Barn caters to children aged 3 months to 5 years.
Our rooms are bright, spacious and open plan with direct access to the beautiful garden, where the children are encouraged to grow fruits and vegetables, dig and explore.
We have our own milk kitchen and provide everything your baby needs during their time with us, including formula milk, organic purees and nappies.
We feel it is important that individual routines and care needs are discussed and agreed in partnership with you to ensure that their care at nursery is consistent with their care at home and meets their unique patterns and routines.
We are passionate about ensuring that children leave us ready and excited for school. The transition to school is often a daunting time for parents which is why we offer additional support and guidance on ‘School Readiness’.
Our curriculum focuses on building independence for all. From the age of 1, children are encouraged to prepare their own snacks and pour their drinks.
Bluebell Barn has linked with a local care home that the children visit fortnightly and benefit from intergenerational relationships.
Meet the Team
Elle Hill
Nursery Manager
Elle is the Nursery Manager at Bluebell Barn and has been part of the Bluebell family since 2013.
She brings a calm, professional and bubbly personality to her role and is passionate about creating a warm, positive environment for children, families and the wider team.
Elle loves being part of the children’s early years journey and supporting them as they learn, grow and develop. As Nursery Manager, she enjoys working alongside her team to ensure children receive the best possible care, education and experiences during their time at Bluebell Barn.
Wendy Fuller
Deputy Manager
Wendy is one of the Deputy Managers at The Barn. She joined the team in 2023 as an apprentice and has since worked her way up into management. Wendy absolutely loves her role and feels incredibly lucky to work with such wonderful children and families every day.
Abi Bilton
Harriet Crouch
Group Operations Manager
Harriet has many years of experience working in Early Years and has been part of the Bluebell family for several years.
She originally joined Bluebell as the Nursery Manager of Bluebell Wood before progressing into her current role as Group Operations Manager.
Harriet now oversees the day-to-day running of all three Bluebell nurseries, supporting the management teams and helping to ensure each setting provides a high standard of care and education.
She is passionate about creating positive environments for both children and staff and enjoys supporting the wider Bluebell team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the nursery’s opening hours?
The nursery operates Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, offering both full-time and part-time childcare options.
What age groups do you cater to?
We provide care for children from 3 months to 5 years old, with rooms and activities tailored to each developmental stage.
How do you support new children settling in?
We offer a settling-in process that includes home visits and settling-in sessions. These allow your child to become familiar with our staff and other children, ensuring a smooth transition into nursery life.
What security measures are in place?
The nursery and its gardens are fully enclosed with strict security measures in place, ensuring a safe environment for all children.
What is the staff-to-child ratio?
We follow the recommended staff-to-child ratios: 1:3 for children under two, 1:4 for children aged 2-3 years, and 1:8 for children aged 3 and older.
Do you offer meals, and are dietary needs accommodated?
Yes, we provide nutritious meals and snacks provided by Zebedees. We can accommodate any dietary restrictions or allergies your child may have.
What are your outdoor facilities like?
Our nursery in Stone Cross boasts a large enclosed garden where children can explore and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, helping with their physical development and interaction with nature.
Is funding available for childcare?
We accept government-funded hours for eligible children over 9 months, including 15 and 30-hour funded placements. To see if you are eligible click here
How can I book a visit to see the nursery?
To arrange a visit, you can call us at 01323 487081 or fill out this form.
What is the role of the key person?
Each child is assigned a key person who will be responsible for their well-being, tracking their progress, and acting as the main point of contact for parents.
How do parents stay updated about their child's day?
We use the 'Nursery in a Box' app to keep parents informed with real-time updates, photos, and daily reports on meals, naps and activities. It also allows two-way communication with staff and easy access to important notices.
News
Bluebell Barn Contact Details:
Bluebell Barn Children’s Nursery
Dittons Road
Stone Cross
Eastbourne
East Sussex, BN24 5ES
Phone: 01323 487081
Email: barn@bluebellnurseries.co.uk
What Our Parents Say
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