--- title: "Little Explorers Nursery, Ilkeston | Nursery Advice" description: "Little Explorers Nursery in Ilkeston — Rated Outstanding by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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This shows their dedication to providing high-quality care and education for children." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the fees for Little Explorers Nursery?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Little Explorers Nursery accept funded hours?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the opening hours at Little Explorers Nursery?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What age range does Little Explorers Nursery cater to?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Little Explorers Nursery use a Forest School approach?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where is Little Explorers Nursery located?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Little Explorers Nursery support children in their outdoor environment?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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.\"" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How can I contact Little Explorers Nursery?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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/." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [East Midlands](/search?region=East+Midlands) 4. Little Explorers Nursery # Little Explorers Nursery in Ilkeston Compare Contact Nursery 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 - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## 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 Outstanding Forest School Outdoor-focused learning Set 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)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50203053)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY423778) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Reveal phone number [ Visit website ](http://www.littleforestexplorers.co.uk/) Derby College, Broomfield Hall Campus, ILKESTON, DE7 6DN Opening hours 7:30am - 6:00pm [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/-1.42094/52.95738/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near ILKESTON - [Day nurseries in ILKESTON](/search?q=ILKESTON) - [Day nurseries in East Midlands](/search?q=East+Midlands) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=little-explorers-nursery-de7-6dn-ey423778) ## 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 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. 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: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50203053) ## 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 2022 Outstanding - November 2016 Outstanding - September 2013 Good - July 2011 Good ## Frequently asked about Little Explorers Nursery ### What is Little Explorers Nursery's Ofsted rating? ### What are the fees for Little Explorers Nursery? ### Does Little Explorers Nursery accept funded hours? ### What are the opening hours at Little Explorers Nursery? ### What age range does Little Explorers Nursery cater to? ### Does Little Explorers Nursery use a Forest School approach? ### Where is Little Explorers Nursery located? ### How does Little Explorers Nursery support children in their outdoor environment? ### How can I contact 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 ## Nearby day nurseries in ILKESTON Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Little Explorers Nursery. - [ Ofsted: Good 0.7 mi ### Busy Bees Day Nursery at Derby Oakwood Derby · DE21 2SF 5.0(13 reviews) ](/nursery/busy-bees-day-nursery-at-derby-oakwood-de21-2sf-206110) - [ Awaiting first inspection 1.1 mi ### Maggie's @ Oakwood Derby · DE21 4TJ ](/nursery/maggie-s-oakwood-de21-4tj-2818134) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.2 mi ### Busy Bees at Derby Oakwood Bishops Drive Derby · DE21 2DF 5.0(27 reviews) ](/nursery/treetops-oakwood-de21-2df-258424) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.3 mi ### Whitehouse Day Nursery (Oakwood) Derby · DE21 4QZ 4.9(14 reviews) ](/nursery/whitehouse-day-nursery-oakwood-de21-4qz-ey469540) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.8 mi ### First Friends PDN Derby · DE21 6HP 4.9(18 reviews) ](/nursery/first-friends-pdn-de21-6hp-206106) - [ Ofsted rating unavailable 2.4 mi ### Kids Planet Springfield Derby · DE21 7AB ](/nursery/kids-planet-springfield-de21-7ab-2762152) [See all nurseries in ILKESTON →](/search?q=ILKESTON) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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