Explorers PreSchool
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Henstridge for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in December 2024. Open since 2003, with 16 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Somerset
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Somerset from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BA8 0QDWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 12 December 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Leaders have created a curriculum that offers children varied experiences and opportunities, helping them to build on what they know and can do. Leaders place a focus on providing children with the skills they need to become confident and independent learners. During snack, children pour their own drinks and place their plates in the sink when they have finished. Children develop good independence skills. Younger children build their strength, coordination and balance as they confidently walk down the steps to the garden. Older children show good spatial awareness and have fun when riding balance bikes, weaving in and out of others.
Children begin to develop their understanding of mathematical concepts. Staff count with children as they build towers and talk about the shape of children's sandwiches. Children use language such as 'square' and 'oval'. Children work collaboratively during play and use their imagination well. For example, they help each other to carefully place foam bricks together to make a 'big bed' to lie on.
Staff use consistent routines and boundaries, helping children to understand what is expected of them. Children benefit from opportunities to explore their feelings and emotions through discussions and books. This helps children to begin to selfregulate their emotions. Staff are good role models and encourage children to be kind and caring towards each other. Children enjoy cuddles and reassurance from the calm and nurturing staff, who are attentive to their needs.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- focus teaching more precisely on children's next steps in learning during adultled activities, helping to maximise children's progress n strengthen staff's knowledge of how to adapt teaching during group times for younger children, helping them to develop their focus and concentration.
- 12 December 2024Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 1 March 2024Needs improvement
- 17 May 2018Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Explorers PreSchool
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.