Age range
6 weeks to 5 years (up to 8 years for holiday club)
Apple Blossom Day Nursery in Sunderland (SR3)
Ofsted: Good
(Mar 2023)
Number of places
93 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2023
Local authority
Sunderland
About this day nursery
Apple Blossom Day Nurseries, a prominent group of childcare providers in the North East, operates several locations including nurseries on Durham Road, Sunderland Enterprise Park, Pallion, Alnwick, and Hexham. They cater to children from 6 weeks old up to 5 years, with a holiday club extending care to 8-year-olds during school breaks.
The nurseries emphasise early years development, integrating the EYFS curriculum to create a stimulating yet safe and happy learning environment. They are committed to providing nutritious meals, freshly prepared daily, which has earned them a 5-star food hygiene rating.
The nursery prides itself on a low staff turnover, with many employees having over a decade of service, ensuring consistent care. The team includes three Early Years Professionals alongside a dedicated group of qualified childcare practitioners.
The directors, Christian and Phillippa Balmer, are confident in their provision, having sent their own children to Apple Blossom nurseries.
What it's like
Children enjoy their time in the nursery. Children have good relationships with staff and other children. Staff have high expectations for children's learning and children demonstrate high levels of engagement.
EYFS curriculumFreshly prepared mealsLow staff turnoverHoliday club
Pricing & funding
Fees are structured by age groups covering 0-2 years, 2-3 years, and 3-5 years. The nursery offers full-time, daily, sessional, and hourly rates, alongside a holiday club day rate for older children. A registration fee is required.
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Good to know
- A non-refundable registration fee is charged.
- Fees are differentiated across three distinct age bands.
- A holiday club day rate is available for children aged 5 and over.
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 31 March 2023
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 enjoy their time in the nursery. Children have good relationships with staff and other children. Staff have high expectations for children's learning and children demonstrate high levels of engagement.
Inspector highlights
- The manager and staff evaluate their practice and identify areas that they can improve. Changes they have made have had a positive impact on children's behaviour and concentration.
- Staff attend a range of training to strengthen their practice, including on safer sleeping and oral health.
- Staff know where children are in their learning and talk confidently about how they are helping children to develop their skills.
- The manager has thought carefully about the order in which children develop skills, such as feeding themselves. Clear progression is evident throughout the nursery.
- The staff in the nursery have a very good relationship with parents and use a range of methods to communicate with them.
Areas to develop
- 1extend understanding of the ways in which to help older children to develop their literacy skills
- 2strengthen communication with younger children and provide more opportunities for children to develop their vocabulary
Inspection #10280543 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
The nursery is a 'hidden gem'.
Parents feel that the staff keep them really well informed.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress. The special educational needs coordinator is knowledgeable and is keen to continue to develop her skills further. Staff identify any concerns about children's learning swiftly, put additional support plans in place, and liaise with a range of professionals as appropriate. Staff act on any advice given to help children to make the best possible progress.
Parent Reviews of Apple Blossom Day Nursery
4.0
(9)
Laizza Bianes
8 months ago
I would like to thank Apple Blossom Day Nursery, Durham Road Branch, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for taking care of our little one for the past 3 and a half years. She started with you when she was just 7 months old, and since then, you have been a big part of her growth and journey. To Michelle, Demi, and Rachel, Sandra who have been there since the very beginning, and to all the amazing teachers and carers, I cannot thank you enough. 💖 Your patience, guidance, and genuine love have helped shape our daughter into who she is today. We are deeply grateful for the warmth, kindness, and encouragement you’ve shown her every single day. From her first steps and words to her milestones and little victories, you were there to celebrate and nurture her. You were not just her carers, but her teachers, her second family, and her safe place. We will always remember the love and support you’ve given us as parents and the joy you’ve brought into our little one’s early years. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts. 🌸✨
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Olajide Ojomu
2 years ago
Booked a viewing to come look around as I was initially excited to enroll my 2 year old son at the nursery after reading all the good reviews. We got there 30 minutes late due to the rain and we had to use the bus. I rang the number that booked the viewing for us and she said we were late but she can do a 5 minutes look around for us. We waited outside in the rain for about 20 minutes for her to come take us in. I decided to ring her again as it was getting too cold waiting for long outside with my wife and son. All for her to say over the phone that we came late and have to come back at another time. That’s really so disappointing for a first timer at the day nursery and I’m definitely not enrolling my son there. Definitely not a friendly act at all.
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Carla Harle
4 years ago
Over the past 6 years both of my children have attended Apple blossom nursery, different branches due to house moves but the care was all the same. My little one Is in his final year at Durham Road branch before heading off to primary school. I can honestly say hand on heart both my children have loved attending the nurseries both Durham Road and Hylton Riverside branch, the care they've recieved is second to none the staff are so friendly and amazing with the children. I would reccomend apple blossom to any of my family, friends and anyone out there looking for childcare. They go above and beyond for you and your children. 5 stars from us. 😁
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Emma Parker-Lee
4 years ago
Each and every member of staff is fantastic with children especially my 4 year old. He absolutely loves it here at Durham Road. Being a SEND Parent I know he can be a bit of a handful but I know he is safe, his needs are met and he is enjoying learning with activities that are planned for him. Infact I get jealous because I want to join in.
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Annalyse Patterson
4 years ago
I absolutely love this nursery my little girl has been there since August and has come on leaps and bounds and it's all thanks to the staff here at apple blossom Durham Road, professional in every way I couldn't imagine leaving my child with anyone else
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Apple Blossom Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: August 2017
- March 2023Good
- August 2017Good
Frequently asked about Apple Blossom Day Nursery
About the setting
Apple Blossom Day Nursery registered in 2009 and is located in Sunderland. The nursery opens Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff, six of whom hold qualifications at level 3 or above, including one qualified teacher. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.
- URN
- EY394728
- Registered person
- Apple Blossom Childcare Limited
- Day care type
- Full day care
- Register
- Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
- Previous rating
- Good
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