About Us

Our History

Our first site began in Wimbledon in 1991, and maintains an Outstanding OFSTED rating. Subsequently our founders, Judith Ish Horowicz MBE, and Ali Somers, opened Apples and Honey Nightingale in September 2017. It is the first nursery to embed daily intergenerational activities within its curriculum and has become a global exemplar of this practice. Despite the restrictions imposed by Coronavirus, Apples and Honey Nightingale continued to deliver an intergenerational programme, overcoming the risks of isolation and loneliness for the residents while maintaining the children’s strong relationships with their extended ‘family’.

The nursery enjoys a specially designed building, private and safe gardens and an imaginatively designed playground area. We pride ourselves in offering the best start to education for young children. Day nursery places are available 50 weeks, with an option to attend term-time only. We are open from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm (with an early close on Fridays for Shabbat). Additionally, we offer a core day session from 9am-3.30pm.

While Apples and Honey Nightingale is centred on the values and traditions of Judaism, we welcome children of all faiths and none. Through a broad and engaging programme, we use themes taken from the Jewish year to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, bringing the festivals to life through art, songs and dance.

Together with our older friends we enjoy the weekly Shabbat and Havdalah ceremonies, as well as exploring and learning about world festivals and cultures – particularly those that our children and families celebrate at home. This further encourages our children and older friends to share their faith, culture, and experiences in a mutually respectful manner.

The nursery is run on a ‘not for profit’ model as a Community Interest Company (CIC). This includes a Board of Directors drawn from the local community for their professional expertise and commitment which ensures the nursery runs smoothly and achieves the best outcomes for the children.

We aim to create a warm and caring environment in which children are constantly learning through a range of exciting and stimulating opportunities. Parents can be confident their children are warmly, expertly and safely looked after, and each child is nurtured to help them to reach their full potential.

We would be delighted to welcome you for a visit, please click the ‘orange’ link to the right.

Kathy O’Brien and Laura Kenny , Co-Managers

Ofsted Report 29/1/2020

‘The quality and standards of the Early Years Provision is Outstanding’

Children flourish in this outstanding nursery. Leaders have exceptionally high expectations for every child
Children are consistently engaged, excited and interested, and enjoy exploring the excellent range of learning experiences.
Children manage their own behaviour well. They learn to listen to the views of others and accept each other’s ideas.
Leaders are ambitious and inspiring. They successfully combine their expertise, experience and knowledge of children to provide an exceptional learning environment.
Parents comment on the excellent emotional support their children receive. Parents make comments such as, ‘Not only is my child exceptionally safe, they are also genuinely loved by the staff.’
Children eagerly develop their skills in mathematics and literacy.
Children have a positive and enthusiastic attitude to learning. They are highly motivated, independent and confident.

Here’s what our families say about us

“I am happy on mornings when it’s a nursery day, I’m especially happy when it’s one of my friends’ or a teacher or a resident’s birthday to celebrate together"

“It is rare to have a playground the size they do and they visit the Common. Lunches expand their normal food diet, allowing them to try new foods. We have been thrilled with Apples and Honey Nightingale”

Apples and Honey Nightingale is “Great! So many toys to play with”

“It’s nice here, the food is great. I love pasta"

“I think it’s rejuvenated me; it’s a whole new aspect. Being in a care home- normally you expect people my age to be sitting around. Then the children come and it’s like a light goes on. It’s awakening really; I love it”

Get to know our teachers

Meet the team

Teachers

Judith Ish-Horowicz MBE

Co-Founder, Director

PGCE; MA; Early Years Professional Status (EYPS)

I’ve never wanted to be anything other than a teacher and, after all these years, I still wake up with excited anticipation. What new pearls of young wisdom will I hear today? What shared laughter will I join? What special secret will I share? I feel so lucky to be working with such an amazing team and supportive families at Apples and Honey, my youngest ‘child’.

Billie-Jean Hilton-Coy

Baby Bees Room Leader

NVQ 3 in Childcare

Vivi Arboleda

Nightingales Room Leader

NVQ3 in Childcare/ QTS Primary School Teaching

Barbara Morris

Apples Room Leader

NVQ 3 in Childcare

Laura Kenny

Co-Manager

MA in Early Years and Early Years Teacher Status (PGCE)/ SENDCo and Speech and Language training

I began my Early Years career in 2004, before moving into a management role in 2010.

I’ve been at Apples and Honey Nightingale since 2020 and have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of its growth and development.

As a nursery manager I enjoy spending time with the children; watching how they grow and develop over time. I have a strong belief in encouraging children’s independence, curiosity, autonomy and perseverance. Trained in special needs, autism and speech and language, I am also very passionate about inclusion.

Kathy O’Brien

Co-Manager

BA(hons) in Early Years Teaching/ Montessori Diploma/Hornsby Diploma in Dyslexia Teaching/Currently doing Assessor Training

Being part of Apples and Honey Nightingale from the day we opened, I feel a great sense of pride in the broad programme we have developed. The Intergenerational aspect adds such a rich and varied dimension to the nursery experience. It is wonderful to see the residents’ faces light up when the children appear and the children’s enthusiasm and confidence to communicate in this non-threatening and mutually beneficial environment.

Jamie Towers

Early Years Appentice

Level 3 Childcare Course

Jaki Anderson

Honey Room Leader

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