Little Explorers
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Pontefract for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 February 2023. Open since 2018, 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 Wakefield
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Wakefield 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
WF7 7DFWhat 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, 3 February 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are well behaved, happy and settled. Staff help children to have a good understanding of the daily routines within the setting. For example, they hold their hands up to signal when it is tidy-up time. Children finish what they are doing and willingly help to tidy the resources away. They learn to share and take turns with others. Children have the sensitive support of staff, who are very observant of what is happening around them. Children have a genuine love of stories. They sit, listen and answer questions. Staff read well and this helps to keep children focused.
Children are confident and approach staff for help, reassurance or comfort. This shows that their relationships are secure and they feel safe. Children enjoy being outside. They carefully manoeuvre bicycles to avoid obstacles and enjoy the thrill of riding up and down a ramp. Children enjoy outings within the local community, visit the garden centre and go to the local shops.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- explore ways to help staff raise the quality of education and achieve excellent outcomes for all children.
- 3 February 2023Good
- 10 February 2022Needs improvement
Rated Good or Outstanding at 1 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Little Explorers
- 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.