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Apple Tree Day Nursery & Preschool

Ofsted: Expected standard·
5.0(10 Google reviews) ·201 New Church Road, Hove, BN3 4ED · Brighton and Hove
Number of places
110 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2026
Local authority
Brighton and Hove

About this early years setting

Apple Tree Day Nursery & Preschool, established in Hove in 2024, is an inclusive setting for children aged 0-4 years, operating five days a week from 8:00 to 18:00 all year round. The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, focusing on a broad and balanced approach to support children's development.

The dedicated staff team prioritises inclusivity and children's emotional security, forming strong bonds with children and their families to ensure individual needs are met. Leaders and staff have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and provide targeted support, specialist resources, and adaptations to teaching, ensuring all children participate and achieve well.

The nursery encourages children to be active both indoors and outdoors, offering experiences that promote physical skills and mathematical development through play. Children enjoy a range of healthy and nutritious meals, with staff ensuring dietary needs are met and providing information to parents on healthy eating.

The nursery also places importance on developing children's independence, from self-feeding to collaborative play, equipping them with essential skills for school readiness and future life. Parents consistently praise the caring attitude of staff and leaders, and appreciate the support with funding, enabling their children to attend more sessions and access high-quality education and care.

Our ethos

Apple Tree Day Nursery & Preschool is dedicated to providing personalised care and early education through small class sizes, believing this fosters a more secure and effective learning experience. They encourage children to explore their curiosity and creativity at their own pace, building confidence and independence in a 'home from home' atmosphere.

What it's like

Children thrive at this inclusive setting. Leaders and staff create an environment that is safe, welcoming and inviting, encouraging children to be happy and inquisitive learners. Children are eager to start their day, settle quickly, and are confident to approach staff for support when needed. Staff support babies to become independent during routines, and older children are encouraged to be collaborative in their play, developing assurance in social situations and purposeful conversations. Children are equipped with skills for life and are ready for their move on to school.

Inclusive learningStrong emotional bondsTargeted SEND supportActive outdoor playHealthy eating focusSchool readiness

Pricing & funding

The nursery offers unfunded sessions for half days, school hours, and full days. Fully funded half and full day sessions are also available. Term-time only schedules spanning 38 weeks can be requested.

Funding accepted

30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-oldsTax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Term-time only sessions (38 weeks) are available upon request.
  • Offers a price match guarantee for equivalent sessions of reputable quality found locally.

Key facts

Opening hours

All Locations: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM; Rottingdean Montessori: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Term time / All Year

All_year

Registered with Ofsted

2024

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Feb 2026

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingStrong standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
0 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted report for Apple Tree Day Nursery & Preschool

Last inspected 26 February 2026

What it's like to attend

Children thrive at this inclusive setting. Leaders and staff create an environment that is safe, welcoming and inviting, encouraging children to be happy and inquisitive learners. Children are eager to start their day, settle quickly, and are confident to approach staff for support when needed. Staff support babies to become independent during routines, and older children are encouraged to be collaborative in their play, developing assurance in social situations and purposeful conversations. Children are equipped with skills for life and are ready for their move on to school.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff establish clear routines and consistent boundaries that effectively support children in understanding what is expected of them and ensure successful transitions between activities.
  • Children behave extremely well and are very motivated in their learning, acting out stories with friends or playing alongside adults who challenge their thinking.
  • All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, benefit very well from the sensitive, caring and trusting relationships they have with their key staff.
  • Leaders and staff consistently prioritise inclusivity and all children's emotional security, forming warm and secure bonds and trusting relationships with families.
  • Leaders and staff fully consider children's learning and development needs, particularly for disadvantaged children and for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, creating a fully inclusive environment.
  • Children generally make steady progress in their communication and language development, gaining confidence in expressing themselves and sharing thoughts and opinions.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should enhance the knowledge and skills of staff to help them implement the curriculum even more effectively.
  • 2Leaders should support staff to consistently extend children's learning and plan clear next steps for each child to build on what they already know and can do even further.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Leaders and staff have very high expectations for and of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They ensure that any children with SEND receive a targeted approach and appropriate monitoring as their needs change. Strategies, such as one-to-one support, specialist resources, and adaptations to teaching, help all children to fully participate and achieve well in their learning. They make secure progress in their learning.

Outdoor space

Children have access to outside play and enjoy experiences that they may not have previously had. They are encouraged to be active indoors and outdoors, developing physical skills. Staff use opportunities like counting during outdoor play to support mathematical development.

Google Reviews of Apple Tree Day Nursery & Preschool

5.0
(10 Google reviews)
Marvet Gad
3 months ago

My child started attending this nursery at around 20 months old, and it was the first and only nursery we chose after visiting — we were immediately impressed. The staff are warm, professional, and attentive, the environment is clean and well maintained, and communication with parents is always clear and accessible. Thank you to the entire team for the excellent care and dedication you show to the children every day.

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Tony Healey
5 months ago

This really is an amazing nursery. Our son has additional needs and the wonderful staff are so understanding and patient with him. The site is clean, well-maintained and has that welcoming home-from-home feel to it. The children at the nursery are spoilt for choice when it comes to equipment and educational aids. There is generous space within the building itself and a fantastic outside space. We couldn't ask for our son to attend a better nursery or to be in the hands of more capable, attentive staff.

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Fatima
7 months ago

We’ve been so happy with my daughter’s experience at Apple Tree . She has absolutely loved her time there — every day she comes home full of stories, excitement, and smiles. Tracey, Mia annd Tasmin are so caring, patient, and genuinely invested in the children’s development and wellbeing. We’ve especially appreciated how well they keep us updated with meaningful observations and photos. It’s lovely to see how much attention they give to each child as an individual. Thank you to the whole team for creating such a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment — we couldn’t have asked for a better start to her early years journey! 💛

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Agnieszka Malachowska
5 months ago

A lovely nursery. The staff are friendly, attentive, and genuinely invested in the children’s happiness and development. My daughter always feels excited to go each day. Highly recommended!

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lucy foster
8 months ago

My 3 year old absolutely loves coming to this nursery and has walked in happily every day since the first day. He’s very fond of his teachers/carers and is becoming really independent in putting on his coat and shoes after only a few weeks since starting here. I feel it’s going to be the best preparation for school next year.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Apple Tree Day Nursery & Preschool. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

26 February 2026

Expected standard

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more