Age range
6 weeks to 5 years (nursery), up to 8 years (holiday club)
Apple Blossom Day Nursery in Alnwick
Ofsted: Good
(Mar 2025)
Number of places
60 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2025
Local authority
Northumberland
About this day nursery
Apple Blossom Day Nurseries operate a network of childcare facilities across the North East of England, including locations in Durham Road, Sunderland Enterprise Park, Pallion, Alnwick, and Hexham. They cater to babies from 6 weeks old up to children aged 5, with a holiday club available for children up to 8 years old during school breaks.
The nurseries emphasise the importance of early years development, integrating the EYFS curriculum to create a stimulating yet safe and happy learning environment. They are committed to providing fresh, healthy meals daily, having achieved a 5-star food hygiene rating.
The nursery group prides itself on a low staff turnover, with many employees dedicated for over a decade, ensuring consistent care for the children. The team includes three Early Years Professionals and a skilled group of qualified childcare practitioners.
The directors, Christian and Phillippa Balmer, express their personal confidence in the nurseries by entrusting their own children to the care provided, inviting prospective families to experience their approach firsthand.
What it's like
Children are lively, curious and confident at this friendly and welcoming nursery. Staff build lovely relationships with children and encourage them to join in a song that describes how they are special and unique, which helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem. Staff encourage children to vote for their choice of snack to help them learn about fairness and respect for the views of others.
EYFS curriculumFreshly prepared mealsLow staff turnoverHoliday club
Pricing & funding
Fees are structured by age bands for children aged 0 to 2 years, 2 to 3 years, and 3 to 5 years, with a separate rate for the holiday club. Charges are applied based on full-time, daily, sessional, or hourly bookings. Government funding and major childcare vouchers are accepted.
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Good to know
- A non-refundable registration fee is required.
- Nursery Education Grant (NEG) funding is accepted for eligible two, three, and four-year-olds.
- All major childcare vouchers are accepted.
Key facts
Opening hours
07:30 – 18:00 Monday to Friday
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Apple Blossom Day Nursery
Last inspected 11 March 2025
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Children are lively, curious and confident at this friendly and welcoming nursery. Staff build lovely relationships with children and encourage them to join in a song that describes how they are special and unique, which helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem. Staff encourage children to vote for their choice of snack to help them learn about fairness and respect for the views of others.
Inspector highlights
- Staff support children's learning well, providing clear instructions and modelling new skills.
- There is strong support for children's developing language through stories and songs.
- Staff plan good support for children's physical development, including parachute games, yoga techniques, and coordinated activities with tools.
- The nursery works well with other professionals to support children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
- The nursery works closely with parents and carers, setting challenges for home and inviting them to special events and to use the learning library.
Areas to develop
- 1consider how better to deploy staff during group times, in order to provide more individual support for children's learning
- 2review daily routines and the use of space in order to reduce noise levels and support children's listening skills.
Inspection #10350125 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents describe the nursery and its staff as happy, positive, inclusive and friendly.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The nursery works well with other professionals in health and education to support children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff follow strategies using objects, pictures and sign language to help children, who may need additional support, to communicate.
Outdoor space
Children explore with jigsaws and fill toy vehicles with oats. They are happy and focused as they smash ice with toy mallets and roll toy tractors through soil in the pretend farm.
Parent Reviews of Apple Blossom Day Nursery
5.0
(10)
M T
4 years ago
My daughter has attended Apple Blossom Nursery for the past 2 years and we are so pleased we made this choice for her. She has developed so much in this time and goes in each morning bouncing with excitement about the day ahead. The ladies are all lovely and make everyday enjoyable and educational. They have catered for my daughter's allergies and even helped with potty training! I highly recommend this nursery
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Georgina Smith
4 years ago
Wow where do I even start? What an amazing nursery this is with such lovely ladies working there. We enrolled my daughter in April time this year and she has never been to a nursery before. I have always been a stay at home mum but have recently started working part time. She has been at Apple Blossom Alnwick for around 7 months now and she is absolutely thriving, her confidence and her speech in particular. During lockdown it was hard for my daughter to interact with other children and we feel this impacted her speech development, she now has amazing little friendships at Nursery and absolutely loves all of the girls who work there. They all work so hard and are real life super women, they do not get the credit they deserve and as a family we are so very grateful for all of them. Thank you girls for making my daughter the happiest for the 3 days she joins you each week, as a mum that is all you could ever hope for and I am so proud of the little lady she is becoming!
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Hugo Pierre Hughes
4 years ago
The team at Apple Blossom are just the best! The usual mum guilt of spending time apart vanishes, as I know my daughter has the best days when she attends this nursery. They have been real superstars and genuinely care for all of the children that attend. I look forward to Aria continuing her journey here :)
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Louise Maddison
4 years ago
I would highly recommend Apple Blossom Nursery. All the staff are professional, caring and committed, and my daughter has a beaming smile every time she goes. The activities and outings they do exceed expectations, and they have really helped my daughters development and confidence
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carla clark
4 years ago
I was so worried about putting my child into nursery but apple blossom has been amazing. She loves going and is always so happy when I go and pick her up. She loves the food and the people that work there are just fantastic. Worth every penny!
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Apple Blossom Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2025
Date: June 2018
- March 2025Good
- April 2024Requires improvement
- June 2018Good
Frequently asked about Apple Blossom Day Nursery
About the setting
Apple Blossom Day Nursery registered in 2016 and is located in Alnwick. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff, with 12 holding appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens all year round, from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, and offers government funded childcare.
- URN
- EY536113
- Registered person
- Apple Blossom Childcare Limited
- Day care type
- Full day care
- Register
- Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
- Previous rating
- Requires improvement
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