Milton Keynes nurseries join nationwide one million Read and Rave Pledge for BBC Children in Need
“We’re delighted that Busy Bees is bringing together the power of reading, music and play to support BBC Children in Need through this exciting Read and Rave challenge”
More than 350 children across Busy Bees Nurseries in Milton Keynes are putting a new beat behind books this November, as they join an ambitious nationwide challenge to create more than one million Read and Rave moments in just 30 days - bringing together the joy of reading while raising funds for BBC Children in Need.
From pages to playlists, the pledge brings together children and colleagues across more than 350 Busy Bees nurseries in the UK. Together, they will bring books to life through music and movement, transforming traditional storytime into a joyful celebration.
Raising funds for BBC Children in Need is at the heart of the pledge, giving children and families the opportunity to come together, celebrate the joy of reading and help make a difference to children and young people across the UK.
Behind the buzz is a bigger ambition – to reclaim storytime as a joyful experience following news that children’s love of reading has fallen to an all-time low in 20 years*. Busy Bees nurseries across Milton Keynes are on a mission to help reverse that trend by showing that reading can be a shared and joyful experience that captures children's imaginations and inspires a lifelong love of books.
The Read and Rave challenge is part of Busy Bees’ nationwide Get the Reading Buzz pledge, an initiative launched earlier this year by the UK’s early years education provider which aims to read over 45 million books with children.
The importance of nurturing a love of books from the earliest years is also echoed by the BookTrust, which has welcomed the budget's investment in children's books and reading.
Chris McCandless, European CEO at Busy Bees, said: “We are incredibly proud to support BBC Children in Need through our Read and Rave pledge. Every child deserves to discover the joy of stories and through our Bee Curious curriculum, we bring that magic to life every day, sparking imaginations, building confidence and nurturing a love of reading.
“We’re turning that joy up a notch, with books and music at the heart of a celebration across our nurseries and bringing children and families together to support BBC Children in Need."
Busy Bees has raised more than £200,000 for BBC Children in Need since their partnership began in 2024, helping to bring comfort, opportunity and laughter to children and young people across the UK. This November’s Read and Rave celebrations aim to build on that total and raise even more for those who need support most.
Tess Herbert, Chief Campaigns & Engagement Officer at BBC Children in Need, added: “We’re delighted that Busy Bees is bringing together the power of reading, music and play to support BBC Children in Need through this exciting Read and Rave challenge.
“Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and the funds raised through fundraisers like this help make that possible. Thanks to the incredible efforts of partners such as Busy Bees, BBC Children in Need is able to support local charities and projects across the UK that provide children and young people with the help they need, when they need it most. We’re hugely grateful for their support and can’t wait to see Read and Rave bring books to life this November.”
BBC Children in Need funding helps ensure every child has someone they can turn to for help or support to overcome challenges they face. Every day, BBC Children in Need’s 1,400 projects all across the UK are helping to make life lighter for the children and young people carrying a load that’s too heavy to manage alone.
To support Busy Bees Milton Keynes nurseries taking part in the Read and Rave, you can donate here.