

We welcome families who’d like to join our community.
As a parent-led initiative, registered as a co-operative, the project creates a nurturing and motivated community around the children. When you join The Apple Tree, you are not buying into a pre-existing service, but joining a group of parents who are working alongside our tutors to create and keep fresh our childrens’ education. This may mean taking on finances, organising a festival, making a giant dragon, ordering materials, attending meetings, or stepping in with your own idea.
There are a number of expectations and committments which we require of our families to ensure the continuity and well-being of our co-operative.
Apple Tree families commit to:
- staying in communication with their child’s tutor
- contribute to the running of their child’s class
- take part in The Apple Tree community
- paying share of fees on time
Joining Process
Step 1
Contact Us to express an interest in joining the co-operative. You will be sent an online enquiry form to complete and be contacted by the admissions rep from your potential group. They will let you know if there are spaces available and what to do next.
Step 2
If a space is available an initial conversation will be arranged with the admissions representative to discuss the suitability of the group for the child, and expectations and commitments on both sides.
Step 3
Your child will be invited to trial the group. Tutors will be asking themselves questions like, does the child settle well into the group? Do they demonstrate a willful engagement with the environment, tutor and children? Are they able to manage themselves in relation to others and learning? Can I give them what they need?
Step 4
If you, your child and the tutor feel the trial demonstrated the group would be a good fit a provisional place will be offered.
If a place is agreed this will include:
- A start date
- Membership forms and details
- Payment set-up
- A 3-week review at which point the tutor will discuss how it is going for your child and confirm The Apple Tree is the right setting for your child.
- Check-in with the admissions rep to make sure you feel clear and confident with your involvement as a parent.
After 3 weeks there is a review for both the new parents/family and the tutor/group. You will be offered the chance to have a chat either online or in person with some parents from the group to ask questions and hear more about parental involvement/responsibilities. The child is then:
- Offered a place OR
- Given a further trial period if the tutor judges this might be beneficial OR
- Not offered a place