Opening hours
7.30am- 6.30pm
Apples & Pears Private Day Nursery
Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2023)
Number of places
115 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2023
Local authority
Cheshire East
About this day nursery
Apples and Pears Private Day Nursery, established in July 2004, is dedicated to providing outstanding childcare in Cheshire East, serving areas like Sandbach, Alsager, and Congleton. Nestled beside a working farm in Smallwood, conveniently located near Junction 17 of the M6, the nursery offers a distinctive learning environment.
Children benefit from direct interaction with animals, expansive meadows, and fresh country air, fostering a unique connection to nature. The nursery prioritises a holistic approach to early years education, balancing children's health, happiness, and foundational learning.
A team of enthusiastic professionals is committed to creating an engaging and fun atmosphere where children can flourish. With a recently converted cattle cubicle shed as a new nursery building, the facility now boasts improved capacity for 115 children, offering open-plan flexibility and seamless integration between indoor and outdoor play spaces, all with scenic views of the farmland.
Our ethos
Apples and Pears Private Day Nursery is dedicated to providing a distinctive, holistic approach to early years education, balancing children's health, happiness, and foundational learning. They foster a unique connection to nature by providing direct interaction with animals, expansive meadows, and fresh country air within their learning environment.
What it's like
Children enter the nursery happily and settle well. Staff encourage older children to support younger children and those new to their room, creating a welcoming environment. Easily accessible outdoor spaces enable children to choose whether to play and learn indoors or outdoors.
Farm-based settingOutdoor play & nature focusExperienced staff
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
Tax-Free Childcare
- Nursery meals£1.50 / session
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All Year
Session types
half day, full-day
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Apples & Pears Private Day Nursery
Last inspected 30 August 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 enter the nursery happily and settle well. Staff encourage older children to support younger children and those new to their room, creating a welcoming environment. Easily accessible outdoor spaces enable children to choose whether to play and learn indoors or outdoors.
Inspector highlights
- Leaders reflect on the quality of practice and have appointed additional management staff to coach and mentor newly appointed staff effectively.
- Staff induction is thorough and includes essential training, such as in paediatric first aid and safeguarding, with a clear system of ongoing supervision.
- Children develop a keen interest in reading, choosing to look at books and listening to many stories read well by staff.
- Partnership with parents is good, with staff working closely with parents and professionals to identify children with SEND early and adapt provision to meet specific needs.
- Children's physical health is well promoted through activities like dancing, riding wheeled vehicles outdoors, and learning about dental care.
Areas to develop
- 1embed and build on the link between observation of practice and the support, coaching and training provided to improve staff's knowledge and skills
- 2deepen staff's understanding of how to carefully construct dialogue to avoid gender stereotyping, promote equality and prepare children for life in modern Britain.
Inspection #10300708 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those in receipt of additional funding, make good progress. Staff work closely with parents and professionals from other agencies to identify children with SEND early. They adapt the provision well to meet children's specific needs.
Outdoor space
Easily accessible outdoor spaces enable children to choose whether to play and learn indoors or outdoors. Outdoors, children run and show increasing balance as they ride on wheeled vehicles, promoting their physical development.
Parent Reviews of Apples & Pears Private Day Nursery
5.0
(1)
Jason Simmons (Estate Agent)
3 years ago
My daughter went to this nursery for nearly three years - and she has an amazing time! I can highly recommend Sue and her team!
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Apples & Pears Private Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Most recent inspection
30 August 2023
Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.
View full Ofsted reportFrequently asked about Apples & Pears Private Day Nursery
Nearby day nurseries in Sandbach
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Apples & Pears Private Day Nursery.
-
1.1 miOfsted: Good
The Coppice Pre-School and OSC
Cheshire · CW11 2UR
-
1.5 miOfsted: Good
Sandbach Heath (St John's) Playgroup
Sandbach · CW11 2LS
-
2.5 miAwaiting first inspection
Kids Planet Sandbach Montessori
Sandbach · CW11 4NE
-
3.1 miOfsted: Good
Wheelock Pre-School
Sandbach · CW11 3RT
-
3.1 miOfsted: Good
La Maternelle Family Childcare - Sandbach
Sandbach · CW11 1YD
4.1(14 reviews) -
3.2 miOfsted: Outstanding
Bee Curious Childcare
Congleton · CW12 4RQ
Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.
Claim listingShare this nursery
Send to a partner, friend or family member.
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