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Little Explorers in Rochester

Ofsted: Expected standard·
5.0(3 parent reviews) ·206C Maidstone Road, ROCHESTER, ME1 3EJ · Medway
Number of places
46 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2025
Local authority
Medway

About this day nursery

Little Explorers is an outstanding childcare setting in Rochester, Kent, operating since 2005 for children aged 1 to 4 years. The nursery places a strong emphasis on children's well-being, with leaders and staff highly skilled at adapting to the changing needs of children and families.

Children show they feel safe and secure, and additional plans are put in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to ensure their well-being remains high. The curriculum focuses on preparing children for their next stage of learning, and all children, including those with SEND, make good progress.

Staff maintain close and respectful relationships with children and work collaboratively with parents to support their children's development. The nursery offers daily outdoor play, with older children enjoying free-flow access to the garden and younger children mastering self-care skills like finding their coats for outdoor adventures.

Parents consistently praise the feedback they receive about their children's learning and development, highlighting the positive experiences provided by Little Explorers.

Our ethos

Little Explorers Nursery is committed to nurturing and inspiring each child to reach their full potential by following Early Years Foundation Stage principles through play-based activities. They prioritise independence, strong parent partnerships, and a healthy, safe environment.

What it's like

Children receive a warm welcome from staff and show that they feel safe and secure. They learn self-care skills and enjoy accessing resources planned at their height. Children enjoy exploring and playing outside daily, with older children free-flowing into the garden.

High emphasis on wellbeingGood progress for allKind nursery environmentConsistent routinesSupports SEND

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)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, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday : 08:00 - 18:00

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

2005

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Nov 2025

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingStrong standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionExpected standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
1 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Explorers

Last inspected 19 November 2025 · Sarah Taylor-Smith

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

Children receive a warm welcome from staff and show that they feel safe and secure. They learn self-care skills and enjoy accessing resources planned at their height. Children enjoy exploring and playing outside daily, with older children free-flowing into the garden.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders and staff place a high emphasis on children's wellbeing.
  • Children, including those with SEND, make good progress in their learning and development.
  • Leaders and staff create a kind nursery environment, where wellbeing for all children is a high priority.
  • Children understand the consistent routines implemented in the setting.
  • Leaders have an in-depth understanding of different local authority procedures and engage with external professionals early.

Areas to develop

  • 1Develop further staff practice to ensure that the curriculum is consistently implemented across the setting to further improve children's development
  • 2Develop staff interactions with children to make the very best of opportunities to support their learning
Inspection #10108616 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Additional plans are put in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to ensure that their wellbeing remains high throughout the day. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who may face barriers to achievement, make good progress in their learning and development. Leaders have carefully considered the structure of their curriculum for children who may have barriers to learning and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Leaders have an in-depth understanding of the different procedures in each of the local authorities that they work with, and they quickly engage with external professionals to ensure that additional help is sought at the earliest opportunity.

Outdoor space

Children enjoy the opportunity to explore and play outside daily. Older children enjoy the choice to flow freely into the garden. Younger children master using the stairs with support and are able to find their coats ready to play. Children show that they enjoy the company as they happily chat to each other as they play.

Parent Reviews of Little Explorers

5.0
(3)
Sue Fitzpatrick
3 months ago

My grandson goes to this nursery and from the day he arrived he has been so happy and contented. The staff are extremely friendly, helpful and supportive and bring out the best in the children. Their teaching skills excellent. My grandson has developed a great relationship with the staff especially Sam, Vicky and Sophie. I would definitely recommend this nursery.

Read on Google
Lisa McKenty
10 months ago

I moved my son to this nursery after an unsettling environment at his last nursery and he has been welcomed with kindness from all the staff. You know your child loves nursery when they go in with a smile and a big wave - emotions he never displayed at his old nursery. This places costs a little more, but worth it to know your child is being looked after well.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Little Explorers. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: November 2009

The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Outstanding). We're re-checking it against the original report.

  • June 2020Outstanding
  • June 2013Outstanding
  • November 2009Outstanding

Frequently asked about Little 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