Little Apples Day Nursery in Cheltenham

About this day nursery

Little Apples Day Nursery, established in 2011, provides all-year-round childcare for children aged 0–4 years. Open Monday to Friday from 7am until 6pm, the nursery focuses on creating a secure and happy environment where children settle in easily and socialise effectively. Babies and young children are encouraged to explore their surroundings, making effective progress through sensory play. The nursery places a strong emphasis on promoting early literacy skills, fostering a love for books and helping older children recognise and write initial letters in their names, preparing them well for school. The Ofsted report, dated 6 April 2022, rated the nursery as 'Good' overall. The nursery remained open for essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided support to families at home. Parents consistently describe the staff as "supportive" and "caring".

The nursery offers a personalised approach to learning, with staff consulting children and following their interests. Children are encouraged to make free choices in their play, learning independence and taking safe risks. For instance, older children enjoy climbing and balancing on a large tyre in the garden. Self-care skills, such as dressing and eating independently, are promoted from an early age. Staff encourage healthy lifestyles, offering nutritious snacks and encouraging healthy packed lunches. Older children participate in harvesting fruits and vegetables like strawberries, raspberries, and marrows from the nursery garden. The nursery effectively manages children's behaviour through clear boundaries and expectations, teaching kindness and sharing. The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) supports children with SEND and communicates with key persons and parents. While the SENCo role is effective, the nursery acknowledges the need to build stronger links with external professionals to provide earlier support for children with SEND.

What it's like

All children develop secure bonds with their key person and show that they feel happy and secure. Babies and young children are happy to explore their surroundings, making effective progress. There is a strong focus on promoting children's early literacy skills, and children are gaining the skills they need in preparation for school.

Pricing & funding