What is Little Explorers Nursery's Ofsted rating?

Little Explorers Nursery currently holds an 'Outstanding' rating from its Ofsted inspection on November 18, 2022. This shows their dedication to providing high-quality care and education for children.

What are the fees for Little Explorers Nursery?

For children over 3, a full week at Little Explorers Nursery costs £223.00, and a full day is £50.00. For under 3s, a full week is £238.00, and a full day is £52.00. They also offer morning and afternoon sessions, as well as an hourly rate.

Does Little Explorers Nursery accept funded hours?

Yes, Little Explorers Nursery accepts funded hours. They welcome children eligible for the 15 hours universal funding for 3 and 4-year-olds, as well as the 30 hours working parent funding for 3 and 4-year-olds. There are supplement charges for wrap-around care and meals for funded places.

What are the opening hours at Little Explorers Nursery?

Little Explorers Nursery is open all year round, from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. This provides consistent and reliable childcare for families throughout the year, with comprehensive hours to suit working parents.

What age range does Little Explorers Nursery cater to?

Little Explorers Nursery welcomes children from three months up to five years old. This broad age range allows for continuous care and development during these crucial early years, suitable for babies through to pre-schoolers.

Does Little Explorers Nursery use a Forest School approach?

Yes, Little Explorers Nursery strongly embraces the Forest School approach, offering regular outdoor woodland experiences. They emphasize how these experiences "foster children's personal, social, and emotional development" in their expansive grounds.

How does Little Explorers Nursery support children in their outdoor environment?

Children at Little Explorers Nursery are encouraged to enjoy the outdoors and actively participate in deciding where to visit each day, such as the forest or farm. This helps them to "develop coordination and muscle skills as they use their pincer grip to pick up twigs."

How can I contact Little Explorers Nursery?

You can contact Little Explorers Nursery directly by phone at 07718 235647. They also have a website, which you can visit for more information at http://www.littleforestexplorers.co.uk/.

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Little Explorers Nursery in Ilkeston

Q: Where is Little Explorers Nursery located?

Little Explorers Nursery is uniquely located "within the expansive 450-acre grounds of historic Broomfield Hall, part of Derby College's land-based campus in Morley". This provides a fantastic natural environment for the children.

Ofsted: Outstanding

(Nov 2022)

·Derby College, Broomfield Hall Campus, ILKESTON, DE7 6DN · Derbyshire

Number of places

54 places

Age range

0–4 yrs

Last inspected

Nov 2022

Local authority

Derbyshire

About this day nursery

Little Explorers Nursery is a unique 54-place facility nestled within the expansive 450-acre grounds of historic Broomfield Hall, part of Derby College's land-based campus in Morley. This Ofsted-rated 'Outstanding' nursery provides high-quality care and education for children aged three months to five years.

The nursery places a strong emphasis on providing a diverse range of indoor and outdoor experiences, supported by a team of qualified and experienced early years practitioners. They also embrace the Forest School approach, offering regular outdoor woodland experiences to foster children's personal, social, and emotional development.

Little Explorers values strong partnerships with parents and encourages families to visit their setting, suggesting wellington boots to fully appreciate their outdoor provision. They aim to provide a safe, well-organised, and attractive environment that reflects their belief in quality care and education for all children.

Our ethos

Little Explorers believe that all children have the right to quality care and education in a safe, well-organised and attractive environment. This is reflected through the diverse range of indoor and outdoor experiences offered to our Little Explorers, supported by a team of qualified, experienced and highly motivated staff. Forest School is an inspirational educational ethos that focuses on developing children’s personal, social and emotional development through regular outdoor woodland experience.

What it's like

Children are happy and anticipate the day ahead with great enthusiasm, knowing daily routines well and eager to enjoy the outdoor environment. They participate in democratic decisions about where to visit, fostering an understanding of fairness. The setting provides an exciting and stimulating learning environment where children show deep engagement and eagerness to learn.

Ofsted OutstandingForest SchoolOutdoor-focused learningSet in 450-acre grounds

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured by age band, with separate rates for children under 3 and over 3. Options include full weeks, full days, morning or afternoon sessions, and hourly rates. Additional supplement charges apply for meals and wrap-around care when using funded hours.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

Rates are based on the 2019/2020 academic year.
A separate hourly rate is available.
Holiday club is available in full day and half day formats.
Funded places are subject to supplement charges for meals, snacks, and wrap-around care depending on hours used.

Official Ofsted Report

Independent inspection of Little Explorers Nursery

Inspection date: Nov 2022
Inspection no.: 10258570

Safeguarding arrangements are effective

Download full report (PDF)View on Ofsted.gov.uk

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Derby College, Broomfield Hall Campus, ILKESTON, DE7 6DN

Opening hours

7:30am - 6:00pm

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Key facts

Session types

Full Day, Morning Session, Afternoon Session, Hourly

Food

meals and snacks provided with supplement charge for funded places

Opening hours

7:30am - 6:00pm

Age range

3 months to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Explorers Nursery

Last inspected 18 November 2022

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

Inspector highlights

Children are making excellent progress due to accurate assessments and challenging activities.
Children are confident communicators and expand their vocabulary regularly.
Children are compassionate and respectful of others, showing persistence in problem-solving.
Children use their imagination and develop coordination and muscle skills through outdoor play.
Partnerships with parents are professional and effective, with staff sharing how children benefit from immersion in the natural world.

Inspection #10258570 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents express their confidence in the 'super' team, which takes the utmost care of their children.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff have a deep understanding of all children's needs and use accurate assessments of children's progress to plan and deliver consistently challenging and enjoyable activities, ensuring all children make excellent progress.

Outdoor space

Children are keen to enjoy the outdoor environment. Staff encourage a democratic decision about where to visit each day, such as the forest, farm, outdoor classroom, walled garden, or roly-poly hill. Children negotiate the rough underfoot terrain of the forest, developing coordination and muscle skills as they use their pincer grip to pick up twigs.

Inspection history

Date: July 2011

November 2022Outstanding
November 2016Outstanding
September 2013Good
July 2011Good

Frequently asked about Little Explorers Nursery

About the setting

Little Explorers Nursery registered in 2011. The nursery opens from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays. The nursery receives funding for free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It employs 17 members of childcare staff, with various qualifications including level 6, early years professional status, early years teacher status, and level 3.

URN: EY423778
Registered person: Derby College
Day care type: Full day care
Register: Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
Establishment type: Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating: Outstanding

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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

Little Explorers Nursery in Ilkeston

About this day nursery

Pricing & funding

Official Ofsted Report

Key facts

Ofsted rating for Little Explorers Nursery

What parents say

How they support every child

Frequently asked about Little Explorers Nursery

About the setting

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