Apple Daycare and Childminding Services
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A pre-school in Little Berkhamsted for children from birth to 8+, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in May 2023. Open since 2013, with 20 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Hertfordshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Hertfordshire from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
SG13 8LYWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 17 May 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive at the setting from a woodland walk and are warmly greeted by staff. They settle quickly and eagerly begin to explore their environment which offers a rich range of learning experiences. They explore minibeasts in soil using a magnifying glass. A variety of puzzles encourages problem-solving skills, and markmaking with crayons helps children to build strength in their fingers.
Children thoroughly enjoy a dance and music session. They express themselves through movement as they move their bodies to familiar songs and shake musical instruments to the music. They reach out to pop bubbles in the air, helping to build on their physical development. Staff provide praise to children when they pop the bubbles, which builds children's confidence and self-esteem.
Children behave well. They form positive relationships with their peers and play alongside each other happily. Staff are excellent role models and gently support children to take turns and share equipment effectively. They teach children the importance of being kind to their friends. This helps children to understand their own emotions and behaviour, and how these impact on others.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- develop staff's teaching skills to further support children's identified next steps, to help them make even better progress.
- 17 May 2023Good
- 15 March 2017Good
- 23 July 2013Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Apple Daycare and Childminding Services
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.