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Explorers

Ofsted: Outstanding
(May 2023)
·The Stables, Stephensons Arms, Wylam, NE41 8ED · Northumberland
Number of places
62 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2023
Local authority
Northumberland

About this day nursery

Explorers is an early years education and childcare provider with a strong forest school philosophy, operating locations in Northumberland. Their approach reimagines traditional early years education, offering a child-led learning programme that encourages exploration, imaginative play, and a deep connection with nature.

Each setting provides dedicated indoor and outdoor spaces, thoughtfully designed to support this holistic method. The curriculum is bespoke, inspired by the natural world, changing seasons, and a rich variety of literature, fostering curiosity and catering to individual learning styles.

Explorers aims to harness children's natural instincts, providing a unique environment where learning is interwoven with the enjoyment of the outdoors.

Our ethos

Explorers has a strong forest school philosophy, offering a child-led learning programme that encourages exploration, imaginative play, and a deep connection with nature. Their bespoke curriculum is inspired by the natural world and changing seasons, fostering curiosity and catering to individual learning styles. They aim to harness children's natural instincts, providing an environment where learning is interwoven with the enjoyment of the outdoors.

What it's like

The manager and staff at Explorers are passionate about supporting children's learning in their outdoor nursery, forming strong bonds and enabling children to lead their own learning. Staff are highly knowledgeable and help children make rapid progress, particularly those who have struggled to settle elsewhere, by providing love and reassurance. Children thrive in the woodland environment, learning to keep themselves safe and treating each other with respect.

Forest School approachChild-led learningNature-based curriculum

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 7am until 6pm

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2020

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Explorers

Last inspected 3 May 2023 · Elizabeth Fish

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

The manager and staff at Explorers are passionate about supporting children's learning in their outdoor nursery, forming strong bonds and enabling children to lead their own learning. Staff are highly knowledgeable and help children make rapid progress, particularly those who have struggled to settle elsewhere, by providing love and reassurance. Children thrive in the woodland environment, learning to keep themselves safe and treating each other with respect.

Inspector highlights

  • The manager and staff have thoughtfully designed a curriculum with clear progression of skills, supporting excellent progress in children.
  • Children are highly engaged in their learning, demonstrating consistently positive attitudes and high levels of engagement.
  • Staff read stories with excellent expression, seizing opportunities to discuss word meanings and significantly contributing to children's learning.
  • Staff exceptionally support children's communication, introducing single words to younger children and complex vocabulary to older children, and asking probing questions.
  • The manager provides focused and highly effective support to staff, coaching them regularly to strengthen their knowledge and skills.
  • The manager effectively uses funding to maintain high adult-to-child ratios and employ a highly skilled workforce, benefiting all children, including those with SEND.
Inspection #10263844 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents comment that it feels like their children are being cared for by family members.

The nursery has saved our family.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) extremely well. The highly knowledgeable coordinator is exceptionally well supported by highly trained staff. Staff spend a lot of time building close relationships with children and helping them to manage and understand their emotions. Staff swiftly identify children who need extra support. Highly effective intervention sessions help them develop the skills they need. Children catch up rapidly. The manager uses funding effectively to ensure that children make the best possible progress. She uses the funding to ensure that children benefit from high adult-to-child ratios. She appoints a highly skilled workforce and this helps all children, including those with SEND, to make the best possible progress.

Outdoor space

The manager and staff have a clear passion for supporting children's learning in this outdoor nursery. Children thrive in the woodland environment. They learn to keep themselves safe as they climb trees or use rope swings. Staff supervise children carefully. They give children time to try to do things for themselves, for example climb trees, but check that they have remembered the safety rules.

Inspection history

Ofsted records show this provider has closed and was never graded. There's no inspection history to display.

Frequently asked about Explorers

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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