The Story behind a.l.i.c.e

A.L.I.C.E. was born from the real-world challenges we saw every day in our nurseries.

Parents feeling overwhelmed.
Practitioners answering the same questions over and over.
And a sea of conflicting advice online — with no trusted voice to guide families consistently.

We built A.L.I.C.E. to change that.

Named after Alice Apel, Co-founder and Education Director at the Atherton House Nursery Group, A.L.I.C.E. is grounded in over 40 years of childcare experience. 

Alice is Montessori qualified, a former Ofsted inspector, and author of the innovative APEL Curriculum (Achieving Progress in Early Learning) — which the A.L.I.C.E. platform uniquely understands and integrates.

It’s a fair question. But A.L.I.C.E. isn’t just another AI tool.

When you Ask A.L.I.C.E., you’re tapping into something far more specific than a general-purpose chatbot or a search engine.

• Trained for early years – every response is rooted in nursery practice, EYFS guidance, and child development research
• Simplified, supportive tone – no jargon, no judgement
• Context-aware – personalised to your child’s age, setting, and needs
• Safe and curated – A.L.I.C.E. is guard-railed to give you advice we’d stand by in our own nurseries

Google is a search engine. 

ChatGPT is a blank canvas.

A.L.I.C.E. is your childcare partner— a voice of calm when you need clarity most.

Stuck on a nap routine?
Unsure about your toddler’s speech?
Need tips on biting or toilet training?

Just Ask A.L.I.C.E.

She’s designed to understand everyday parenting concerns — and respond with confidence, clarity, and care.

You can ask things like:

• “How do I settle my baby into nursery?”
   
• “Is it normal for a 2-year-old to stop napping?”
   
• “What’s a good routine for a 9-month-old?”
   

The more you Ask A.L.I.C.E., the smarter she gets — and the more support she can offer.