Little Explorers
OutstandingTakes funded hours★ 4.5 on GoogleBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Thornton Cleveleys for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They take the funded hours. They do not publish prices, so ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in March 2024. Open since 2016, with 50 places.
What it costs
Prices change without notice. Treat these as what to ask about, not a quote.
Funded hours
2 year old and 3 year old free government grant places.
What childcare usually costs in Lancashire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Lancashire 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
FY5 2RXWhat 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.
- 22 July 2022 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 6 March 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thrive at the superb nursery and are truly able to explore the wonder of childhood. Skilled staff allow children the time and space to become engrossed in different environments. Children are inspired with awe at the world around them.
For instance, they show delight during rainy days, jumping in puddles and using their imaginations as they make unique creations, such as muddy coffee and flower kebabs. Children learn in a holistic manner, connecting information from each different experience. They revel in the wealth of opportunities planned by the inspirational team of leaders and staff. Expectations are high throughout the nursery and are clearly embedded and understood by all staff and children. Staff model the respectful manner that is reflected in children's exemplary behaviour.
Staff are always close by to offer encouragement as children concentrate and persevere with tasks. Staff understand the value to children of achieving a goal independently. They watch and wait, ready to offer support, as babies try hard to pull themselves up to standing and as young children climb a tree. Children beam with pride and delight as staff celebrate their efforts and new skills with them. As children rapidly develop independence skills, their excitement to learn shines.
- 6 March 2024Outstanding
- 4 May 2018Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Little Explorers
- What it costs
- 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
Some of this is above, from the setting or from parents, and it can go out of date. The rest is in no dataset anywhere. Either way it is worth ten minutes on the phone.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- How do you apply my funded hours? 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.