Opening hours
Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm for 50 weeks of the year (Closed on bank holidays and a two week period at Christmas).
Little Explorers Hythe
Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2024)
Number of places
65 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2024
Local authority
Kent
About this day nursery
Little Explorers Hythe is a nursery founded and managed by two highly qualified teachers with over two decades of primary school teaching experience. They are committed to providing exceptional childcare and early years education within a supportive and stimulating setting.
The nursery operates from a spacious building, offering dedicated rooms for different age groups, a sensory area, and a large, newly landscaped garden designed for outdoor play in all weather conditions. The curriculum is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, focusing on six key areas of learning and development to ensure children grow safely, healthily, and achieve their full potential.
Communication with parents is a priority, facilitated through daily face-to-face interactions and an online platform called Famly. Little Explorers Hythe is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm, for 50 weeks of the year, closing only for bank holidays and a two-week period during Christmas.
They offer funded places for eligible children starting from 9 months old, demonstrating their commitment to accessibility.
Our ethos
The nursery's curriculum is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, focusing on six key areas of learning and development. They are committed to providing exceptional childcare and early years education within a supportive and stimulating setting to ensure children grow safely, healthily, and achieve their full potential.
What it's like
Leaders and staff are dedicated to supporting families. Staff show genuine affection and care towards the children. A strong key-person system supports children to settle quickly and form secure, trusting relationships.
EYFS CurriculumOutdoor Play FocusExperienced TeachersFamily Communication
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Request pricing →Key facts
Term time / All Year
All Year
Established
2016
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Little Explorers Hythe
Last inspected 4 July 2024 · Nina Harvey
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Leaders and staff are dedicated to supporting families. Staff show genuine affection and care towards the children. A strong key-person system supports children to settle quickly and form secure, trusting relationships.
Inspector highlights
- Leaders and staff are dedicated to supporting families.
- Staff have a secure knowledge of how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Children of all ages show they have a love of stories.
- Staff provide a range of activities so there is something every child will enjoy, particularly in the garden for physical play and investigations.
- The manager is highly supportive of her team, and staff feel valued and happy at work.
Areas to develop
- 1support staff to develop a more consistent approach to extending children's learning when joining in with their play
- 2improve the organisation of transitions and routines, particularly at mealtimes, to prevent children needing to wait too long.
Inspection #10351005 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents also comment on the fantastic support and help they receive from the manager and staff.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff have a secure knowledge of how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They build close and professional relationships with other agencies and parents. Children with SEND show good progress, becoming able to express their needs and regulate emotions. Funding is used well to support children to meet their individual needs and close learning gaps. Staff provide quiet areas with resources like tents and sensory lights for children to retreat to when feeling overwhelmed, and picture cards for those struggling to express themselves.
Outdoor space
In the garden, children busy themselves making sandcastles, balancing, climbing, painting with water and drawing. Staff are skilled at using interactions to promote children's independent thinking skills and enhance their level of engagement, often setting up investigations for children to solve, such as how to make the sand better for building with.
Parent Reviews of Little Explorers Hythe
5.0
(10)
Jasmine Monk
8 months ago
So glad I found this nursery for my daughter. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and I can tell they really care about the children and their development. Can’t fault it at all and highly recommend
Read on Google
Lyndsey Marriner
4 years ago
I'm so impressed with the attention to detail at this nursery, in terms of the children's learning and activities provided for them. Highly professional staff, managers and the owners are fantastic. My daughter loves it here and I'm so pleased with the service we have received so far. Thanks again.
Read on Google
harry grist
3 years ago
Thank you to all the wonderful staff at Little Explorers. Excellent, professional and caring, they really did a great job at developing and nurturing our son. I highly recommend their care! Thank you again!
Read on Google
Kiane Thomas
4 years ago
My daughter has just left the nursery for primary school after attending little explorers from 9 months old, an amazing nursery with staff that genuinely care about your child's development, would highly recommend to anyone.
Read on Google
Chelci Marsh
8 years ago
When my son first started he wasn't a very good eater but little explorers has worked miracles with him, he's blossomed into such a beautiful and kind young boy with the help from this nursery I couldn't thank them enough, I'm extremely sad he won't be going back due to moving away but I could recommend them enough. Thankyou so much,
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Little Explorers Hythe. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: September 2018
- July 2024Good
- September 2018Outstanding
Frequently asked about Little Explorers Hythe
Nearby day nurseries in Hythe
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Little Explorers Hythe.
-
0.6 miOfsted: Good
Lullabies
Hythe · CT21 6NE
-
0.6 miOfsted: Good
Little Cubs Palmarsh Pre-School
Hythe · CT21 6NE
-
0.6 miOfsted: Good
Hythe Bay
Hythe · CT21 6HS
-
0.7 miOfsted rating unavailable
Happy Little Hedgehogs
Hythe · CT21 6NG
-
1.2 miOfsted: Good
Saltwood Play and Learning Centre
Hythe · CT21 4QS
-
3.2 miOfsted: Good
Jumping Jacks Pre School
Folkestone · CT20 3HL
4.6(10 reviews)
Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.
Claim listingShare this nursery
Send to a partner, friend or family member.
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