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 Hill
A space to explore, discover and enjoy outdoor adventures.
Bluebell Hill - Adventure Starts Here!
Our Setting:
Tucked away in a beautiful converted house close to the heart of Eastbourne, Bluebell Hill Children's Nursery provides a warm, nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued and inspired to learn through play. Our welcoming setting combines the comforts of a home-from-home atmosphere with enriching experiences that help children grow into confident, kind, curious and creative learners.
Inside, our bright and thoughtfully designed rooms encourage exploration, imagination and independence, with engaging resources that support every stage of your child's development. Outside, our mature walled gardens offer a wonderful space for adventure, discovery and outdoor learning. From searching for bugs in our nature area to spotting birds and exploring the changing seasons, children are encouraged to develop a lifelong love of the natural world.
Safe Adventure:
Providing a safe and secure environment is at the heart of everything we do. Our nursery and gardens are fully enclosed, giving families peace of mind while children play, explore and flourish.
Convenient Location:
Located on a quiet residential road just off St Anthony's Avenue, Bluebell Hill is conveniently situated for families in Eastbourne, Sovereign Harbour, Langney and Hampden Park, with easy access from the town centre.
Starting your child at our nursery in Eastbourne
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.
Our staff
Our staff are all highly qualified and experienced in early childhood education. They are passionate about providing children with the best possible care and education. We are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all children and families.
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 Hill
Starting in ‘Tiny Turtles’ through to ‘Starfish’, The Hill caters for children aged 3 months to 5 years.
Our rooms are bright and homely with direct access to the beautiful garden, for our children over the age of two. Where they are encouraged to grow fruits and vegetables, dig and explore.
To promote independence and celebrate the child’s voice, we use visual cards in the baby room for the babies to select where they would like to explore. This enables our staff to respond to each baby's individual choice.
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 own drinks.
Wild Beach
Nature Based Learning
At Bluebell Hill Nursery, we feel it is essential that children have the opportunity to truly connect with the open spaces and the elements our local beach has to offer.
With plenty of outdoor activities for children surrounding the East Sussex coast, the Wild Beach experience is a great way to get your children to learn and respect outdoor environments.
Led by our qualified Wild Beach Leaders, we take daily trips to the beach in our electric minibus.
Our Wild Beach experiences will spark each child’s own intrinsic motivations to explore, create and be curious about the world around them.
Wild Beach enables our children and staff to build a closer connection to nature which, in turn, will teach them to value and respect the natural environment and community, leading to responsible citizenship.
Our Wild Beach learning experiences are carried through into the nursery environment, for all ages to explore and enjoy.
Did you know...
Nature-based learning can increase a child’s relationship skills and decrease stress and anxiety levels
75% of UK children spend less time outside than prison inmates. Our Wild Beach offers quality time in nature which can increase physical activity and reduce childhood obesity
64% of children play outside less than once a week
Wild Beach in Action
Meet the Team
Sam Leeves
Nursery Manager
Sam has worked in Early Years for six years and has been part of the Bluebell Hill team for nearly four years. She joined as a relief educator while completing her degree in Early Years Education and has since progressed through the nursery, continuing to develop her knowledge and experience.
Sam loves teaching and inspiring children every day and is passionate about supporting her team to create the best possible experiences for children. As the nursery’s SENDCO, she is committed to ensuring inclusion is at the heart of everything Bluebell Hill does, working closely with children and families to help every child thrive.
Lauren Smith
Deputy Manager
Lauren has worked in Early Years for almost twenty years and has always had a passion for helping children learn, grow and develop. Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of roles, including educator, SENCO and additional support for children with SEND, as well as previously working as a Deputy Manager.
Lauren has a particular interest in learning environments and has spent time studying both the Reggio Emilia and Montessori philosophies. She believes that community is at the heart of a nursery and that building strong relationships with children and families creates the best foundations for children to flourish.
Chloe Hemsley
Deputy Manager
Chloe has worked in childcare for six years and has gained experience working with children across a range of ages.
She joined the Bluebell Hill team in 2021 and has continued to grow within the nursery, becoming an important part of the management team.
As Deputy Manager, Chloe enjoys supporting both children and colleagues and helping to create a positive, nurturing environment where children feel happy, confident and supported.
She is passionate about Early Years and enjoys being part of a team that puts children at the heart of everything they do.
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 your opening hours?
We are open Monday to Friday, from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, offering both full-time and part-time childcare services.
What age range do you cater to?
We care for children from 3 months to 5 years old, providing age-appropriate activities in dedicated rooms.
How do you handle settling in?
We offer home visits and settling-in sessions to ensure your child feels safe and comfortable, adjusting at their own pace.
What outdoor facilities are available?
We have walled gardens and nature areas where children can safely explore, learn, and play outdoors.
Do you provide meals?
Yes, we offer balanced meals and can accommodate any dietary restrictions your child may have.
How secure is the nursery?
The nursery and garden are fully enclosed, with stringent security measures in place.
What is the staff-to-child ratio?
We maintain recommended ratios: 1:3 for under-twos, 1:4 for 2-3 years, and 1:8 for 3-5 years.
Do you accept childcare funding?
Yes, we accept 15 and 30 hours of government funding for eligible 9-months, 2, 3, and 4-year-olds.
How do I arrange a visit?
You can book a visit by calling us at 01323 724017 or through our website.
What is the role of a key person?
A key person will be assigned to your child to monitor their progress and serve as the main 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 Hill Contact Details:
Bluebell Hill Children’s Nursery
The Circus
Seaville Drive
Eastbourne
East Sussex, BN23 6LJ
Phone: 01323 724017
Email: hill@bluebellnurseries.co.uk
What Our Parents Say
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