Applebees Pre-School
OutstandingBirth to 5Long established
A day nursery in Frodsham for children from birth to 5, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in March 2024. Open since 2016, 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 Cheshire West and Chester
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Cheshire West and Chester 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
WA6 7LEWhat 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, 14 March 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thrive in this exceptionally welcoming and inclusive nursery. Children are extremely motivated learners, who are exceedingly happy and settled. Staff support children to show excellent levels of confidence. For example, younger children proudly show the 'star badge' they have been awarded. They excitedly stand in front of their friends and proudly have their picture taken. Children benefit from the warm and trusting relationships they have with staff and the friendships they enjoy with their peers. Staff are fantastic role models. Children are respectful to one another and listen with great interest to what others have to say. Children demonstrate amazing social skills and behaviour.
Highly skilled staff help to embed children's learning through interesting discussions and activities that build on prior knowledge. Children are eager to explore the carefully planned and fascinating learning opportunities available. They have plenty of time to become consistently engrossed in their play. This supports high levels of concentration. Staff support children to have a strong desire to be independent. For example, children eagerly choose lunch options from the school canteen. Staff supervise children as they carefully carry trays of food extremely competently.
Children beam with pride as staff praise them for their helpfulness. There is a pleasant, industrious atmosphere, where children busy themselves throughout the day. Children are exceptionally ready for the next stage in their learning.
- 14 March 2024Outstanding
- 2 May 2018Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Applebees Pre-School
- 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.