Appletrees Child Care

Clay lamps for Diwali, stories turned into stick pictures and children choosing resources for an allotment patch give Appletrees Child Care a recognisable character in its October 2021 account. These examples connect learning with children's interests and the surrounding community.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 29 October 2021 and judged safeguarding effective. Appletrees has capacity for 45 children at 21 Church Road, Flamstead, ST. ALBANS, AL3 8BN.

The early years foundation stage brings children's learning, development and care into one framework. Here, the October 2021 examples show how everyday activities can carry learning: baking prompted children to identify a rectangle and count its sides, while younger children joined in with number sequences.

In October 2021, children marked Diwali by making clay diva lamps and tasting celebratory food, connecting the festival with experiences important to their friends. A favourite story also led to pictures made with sticks, listening activities and conversation. The same interest became a starting point for several kinds of learning.

Children helped choose materials for a new allotment patch. Parents could vote online on activities, including a visiting farm, giving families a practical part in shaping experiences.

At its October 2021 inspection, Ofsted found that children progressed well and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities received suitable support. In October 2021, staff discussed children's needs with parents, reviewed learning targets and adjusted their language to help children choose for themselves. Managers worked with other professionals and passed relevant information to school staff for children's transition.

Babies sought comfort from practitioners in October 2021, while older children practised taking turns in conversation. Books about differences prompted discussion of people and their homes; conversations about food introduced dental health.

During the pandemic-related closure described in October 2021, staff sent families activities linked to individual learning targets. Videos introduced new children to staff and their surroundings before reopening. More experienced colleagues also supported staff in training, and managers adjusted assessment arrangements to ease workloads.

The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, across the year, with bank holiday closures. Its address is 21 Church Road, Flamstead, ST. ALBANS, AL3 8BN.

In October 2021, nursery session times ran from 7.30am to 6pm, and funded early education covered children aged two, three and four. These are dated arrangements rather than a description of today's booking options.

• Confidence in group activities. In October 2021, cooking groups were sometimes too large for quieter children to contribute comfortably. Ask how group activities now give each child space to share ideas.
• Planning attendance. How do today's booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements fit your family's week?

Appletrees suits families who value learning rooted in stories, practical activities and community participation. The October 2021 examples have substance: children influenced resources, explored celebrations and connected baking with mathematics. The improvement point matters too. Families should weigh that dated picture alongside how the nursery now organises shared activities, especially for a child who needs encouragement to speak.