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Early Explorers Pre School

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2023)
·Mile Oak Community Centre, Chalky Road, Brighton, BN41 2WF · Brighton and Hove
Number of places
36 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2023
Local authority
Brighton and Hove

About this early years setting

Early Explorers Pre School, located in Brighton, provides a nurturing environment for young children at the Mile Oak Community Centre in North Portslade. The preschool operates morning, afternoon, and full-day sessions during term-time, offering an early start option from 8 am.

The facility boasts ample space, including three distinct outdoor areas designed for engaging play and learning: an outdoor classroom, a large physical play area, and a natural garden that hosts daily forest school sessions. This approach encourages children to explore, take safe risks, and develop their independence.

The dedicated staff team, led by a qualified teacher, brings a wealth of experience and qualifications to support each child's development. They focus on fostering communication skills through careful interaction and providing opportunities for children to engage in both child-led and adult-led activities, ensuring a responsive and supportive learning journey for every individual.

Our ethos

Early Explorers Pre School fosters independence and risk-taking through daily Forest School sessions in its natural garden and outdoor classroom. The preschool supports a holistic learning journey, focusing on communication and offering both child-led and adult-led activities facilitated by experienced staff and a qualified teacher.

What it's like

The manager and staff provide a wealth of engaging learning experiences in this happy, inspiring and well-organised pre-school. Activities are based on children's current interests and carefully planned to support each child to learn and develop well. Children benefit greatly from the focus on outdoor learning.

Forest SchoolTerm-time onlyQualified Teacher-led

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged on an hourly basis, with structured sessions available for mornings, afternoons, full days, and early starts. Payments are billed in advance on either a weekly or monthly basis.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
  • hourly rate£6.00 / hour
  • morning session£24.00 / session
  • afternoon session£18.00 / session
  • whole day£42.00 / day
  • early start£3.00 / session

Good to know

  • Fees are payable in advance and can be paid weekly or monthly via cash, bank transfer, or standing order.
  • All sick days, absent days, and holidays taken during term time must be paid for with no exchanges allowed.
  • A notice period of one week is required to make any changes to your child's attendance.
  • Late collection fees apply if a child is not picked up within 10 minutes of their session ending.
  • Employer childcare vouchers from salary sacrifice schemes are accepted.

Key facts

Session types

morning, afternoon, full day, early start

Opening hours

Tuesday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Early Explorers Pre School

Last inspected 6 July 2023

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

The manager and staff provide a wealth of engaging learning experiences in this happy, inspiring and well-organised pre-school. Activities are based on children's current interests and carefully planned to support each child to learn and develop well. Children benefit greatly from the focus on outdoor learning.

Inspector highlights

  • Children benefit greatly from the focus on outdoor learning.
  • Staff identify very quickly those who are not reaching their expected milestones and target support extremely effectively.
  • The manager and staff plan activities well to develop children's learning.
  • Staff encourage conversation and help children develop good listening skills.
  • Children learn good literacy skills.

Areas to develop

  • 1improve the monitoring of practice to ensure staff fully understand how to develop children's learning, particularly when children are exploring their own ideas and choice of play.
Inspection #10301517 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak highly of the manager and caring staff. They say they always have time to listen and give help with learning at home or managing issues, such as children's transition to school.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff observe children carefully and plan together how to help children who struggle with social interactions. They consistently use effective support strategies, such as gentle distraction, visual prompts and sign language. The manager and staff have a strong understanding of how children learn and develop. They identify very quickly those who are not reaching their expected milestones and target support extremely effectively. Staff use advice and help from outside professionals, such as a speech therapist who visits the setting weekly. Parents and staff share information and planning, particularly for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Outdoor space

Children benefit greatly from the focus on outdoor learning. For example, they know the routine and independently put on boots and overalls before going to the on-site forest school area. Children are excited to look for bugs and butterflies in the flower meadow.

Inspection history

Date: January 2018

  • July 2023Good
  • January 2018Good

Frequently asked about Early Explorers Pre School

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