Little Explorers Day Nursery Pakenham
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Bury St. Edmunds for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in April 2023. Open since 2016, with 30 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 Suffolk
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Suffolk 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
IP31 2NGWhat 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, 28 April 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are eager to attend this welcoming and inclusive nursery. They greet the staff warmly, and confidently hang up their belongings on their own hooks. Older children recognise their names on the rainbow display, before happily joining their friends. They are keen to tell visitors about their favourite activities, making good use of the new vocabulary they hear and say in their play.
Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress in their learning and development. They are supported by knowledgeable staff, who plan and provide a broad curriculum. Babies enjoy exploring different materials, such as water, paper, glue and paint. They have a go at spreading glue when creating paper collages. This helps to strengthen the muscles in their hands and their coordination. Older children are keen to attempt new challenges, such as using scissors to cut out a mask. They carefully follow instructions as they learn how to hold the scissors, and show a good awareness of how to do this safely.
Children have a positive attitude towards their learning, and understand the high expectations for behaviour. For example, older children wait patiently for their turn to wash their hands before lunch and happily help to tidy away toys. Children are caring towards others. They thoughtfully save seats at the table and offer to share a book with a new friend.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to adapt and reshape daily routines to increase the potential for children to extend their knowledge and skills to the highest possible level.
- 28 April 2023Good
- 23 October 2018Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Little Explorers Day Nursery Pakenham
- 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.