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Explorers Day Care

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Jul 2022)
·Fountain Head Business Park, High Etherley, Bishop Auckland, DL14 0LZ · Durham
Number of places
111 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2022
Local authority
Durham

About this day nursery

Explorers Day Care Nursery, nestled on a working farm in Bishop Auckland, offers a vibrant and nurturing environment for children from birth to five years old. The nursery champions a holistic approach to early years education, deeply integrating outdoor experiences, including a Forest School and farm activities, into the daily routine.

Recognised as "OUTSTANDING" by Ofsted, Explorers is dedicated to fostering imagination and development across various age groups: "Babies" (0-18 months) benefit from stimulating activities and sensory play; "Tweenies" (18 months-2 years) focus on social interaction and language; "Tots" (2-3 years) enhance independence and creativity through play; and "Pre-School" (3-5 years) builds foundational literacy and numeracy skills in preparation for school. The nursery prides itself on its family-like atmosphere and a team of enthusiastic and caring individuals led by founder Jenna Whitaker.

They invite families to experience their inspiring setting firsthand to see what makes Explorers unique.

Our ethos

Explorers Day Care Nursery champions a holistic approach to early years education, deeply integrating outdoor experiences, including a Forest School and farm activities, into the daily routine. The nursery is dedicated to fostering imagination and development across various age groups through play-based activities and building foundational skills. They pride themselves on a family-like atmosphere and a team of enthusiastic and caring individuals.

What it's like

Children clearly love their nursery, waving goodbye to parents with confidence. They benefit from familiar routines and are immersed in exciting, meaningful learning experiences, such as using real tools in the woodland area. Staff encourage critical thinking and nurture secure relationships with babies, leading to exemplary attitudes toward learning and a positive atmosphere.

Ofsted OutstandingFarm-basedForest SchoolOutdoor play integral

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds
  • Optional one-off administration fee£75 / session
  • Full Day (non-funded)£85.00 / day
  • Half Day (non-funded)£61 / session
  • Short Day (9:00am – 3:00pm) (non-funded)£65.00 / session
  • Extra Hour (non-funded)£9.00 / hour

Key facts

Session types

Full Day, Half Day, Short Day, Extra Hour

Opening hours

7am to 6pm, Monday - Friday

Age range

0-5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2020

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Explorers Day Care

Last inspected 12 July 2022 · Janet Fairhurst

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

What it's like to attend

Children clearly love their nursery, waving goodbye to parents with confidence. They benefit from familiar routines and are immersed in exciting, meaningful learning experiences, such as using real tools in the woodland area. Staff encourage critical thinking and nurture secure relationships with babies, leading to exemplary attitudes toward learning and a positive atmosphere.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are immersed in exciting learning which supports exceptional progress.
  • Provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is exemplary.
  • Children are physically active outside every day and provided with exceptionally healthy snacks and meals.
  • Children benefit greatly from a range of rich learning experiences through weekly 'Explorers Adventure trips' and unique farm experiences.
  • Staff form strong relationships with parents and work closely to support children's learning at home.
Inspection #10246159 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

I've been blown away with my child's language development

There is no place like it, it is a shining example of what a nursery should be

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is exemplary. Staff know children and their families extremely well and build strong, trusting relationships. They are skilled at identifying children's specific needs early and put the necessary adaptations in place to ensure that these children enjoy the same curriculum as their peers and join in with all aspects of nursery life.

Outdoor space

Children are physically active outside every day. In the woodland area and under the stringent supervision of staff, children learn to light the fire, use knives to chop food for lunch, and use real joinery tools to create a bird house. Detailed risk assessments for outings mean that children are safe at all times.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

12 July 2022

Outstanding

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Explorers Day Care

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more