Buzzy Bees Daycare Center
A trusted early-years haven on Statia for families putting down roots on the island.
Why Go
Relocating to Sint Eustatius with little ones in tow? Buzzy Bees on Watermelon Road is the small, community-run daycare that keeps expat and local families sane — the kind of place where staff know every child by name and parents get a real handoff at pickup instead of a rushed wave.
The Experience
Tucked into a quiet residential pocket just outside central Oranjestad, Buzzy Bees runs on the rhythm of island life. Mornings open with circle time and a bilingual mix of English, Dutch, and Papiamento songs; midday spills into shaded outdoor play under the Caribbean sun; and afternoons wind down with story time and quiet crafts before parent pickup. The center caters primarily to infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers, with small group sizes that let caregivers actually pay attention. For newcomers — medical staff at the hospital, teachers, contractors, or remote-working families spending a season on Statia — it's often the first foothold into the local parent network, and the WhatsApp group that comes with it is arguably worth the enrollment fee alone.
What to Try
Book a walk-through before you commit. Ask about the daily routine, meal arrangements (many parents pack lunches), and how they handle the transition period for kids new to the island. If you're only on Statia short-term, ask about drop-in or part-time slots — availability is tight but not impossible, especially outside the peak season for visiting researchers and dive instructors.
Insider Tip
Spots fill up fast around the arrival of new hospital and government rotations (typically August and January), so reach out weeks — ideally months — before you land on-island. Payment is usually handled in cash or local bank transfer, and confirming your child's spot in writing is smart; verbal holds have a way of evaporating on island time.
The Practical Stuff
Address: 3 Watermelon Road, Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius (Caribbean Netherlands). It's a short drive from most of Oranjestad's Upper and Lower Town neighborhoods — parking is informal street-side. Hours, fees, and current age ranges aren't publicly listed, so call or message ahead to confirm before you plan around it. Bring your child's vaccination records and any relevant medical notes to the intake conversation.
Pair It With
- Alvin V. Courtar Park — A nearby green space that's a natural after-pickup stop for letting kids burn off the last of their energy before heading home.
- A Quiet Getaway - One-Bedroom Apartment Guide — A calm, self-catering base within easy reach of the daycare — useful for families scoping out the island before a longer relocation.
- Antillean Horde Car Rental Guide — Reliable wheels make the daily daycare run painless; Statia is small but the hills and heat make walking with a toddler a stretch.
- Baby Beach Guide — A gentle, shallow swim spot that's a favorite weekend reset for daycare families once the workweek wraps.
