About Explorers
Reimagining early years education and childcare
Unique, child led learning programme
Children given the freedom to embrace their imaginations
Teaching children to learn through play, enjoying nature
Holistic approach, harnessing children’s natural instincts
The Explorers Way
Our nurseries are always nestled within beautiful grounds either on school campuses or private land—providing children with safe, free and frequent access to our greatest teacher: the natural world.
Each day follows the rhythm of the children’s own imaginations, shaped by the ever-changing environment around them. We offer the freedom to explore, play, and simply be, allowing children to develop a deep and lasting connection with nature.
In addition to our outside spaces, every site includes dedicated indoor spaces for each age group:
These warm, neutral and calming spaces offer shelter for drying off after puddle play or warming up after chilly adventures and are always available.
Outdoors, each site has two permanent camps, thoughtfully designed to support imaginative, child-led learning. Each camp includes:
- Fire circles
- Mud kitchens
- Shelters
- Open-ended play zones
These environments inspire creativity, resilience, and independence—core elements of The Explorers Way.
Our nurseries are always nestled within beautiful grounds either on school campuses or private land—providing children with safe, free and frequent access to our greatest teacher: the natural world.
Each day follows the rhythm of the children’s own imaginations, shaped by the ever-changing environment around them. We offer the freedom to explore, play, and simply be, allowing children to develop a deep and lasting connection with nature.
In addition to our outside spaces, every site includes dedicated indoor spaces for each age group:
Acorns (0–2 years)
Saplings (2–3 years)
Oaks (3–4+ years)
These warm, neutral and calming spaces offer shelter for drying off after puddle play or warming up after chilly adventures and are always available.
Outdoors, each site has two permanent camps, thoughtfully designed to support imaginative, child-led learning. Each camp includes:
Fire circles
Mud kitchens
Shelters
Open-ended play zones
These environments inspire creativity, resilience, and independence—core elements of The Explorers Way.
Dedicated Staff
With strong backgrounds in education, our dedicated team recognises the importance of valuing each child as a unique individual and nurturing their relationship with the world around them.
Our Forest School Nursery is rooted in an ethos of outdoor learning, nature-based play, and holistic, child-responsive care.
We believe that this approach lays the strongest foundations for Early Years development—supporting preschool and kindergarten-aged children in ways that foster confidence, independence, and curiosity.
Learning doesn’t stop with the children. We see education as a lifelong journey, and we actively support our staff in pursuing ongoing professional development.
By continually expanding their knowledge and skills, our team is able to provide the highest quality of care and learning for every child.
The Explorers Curriculum
Our team of experienced staff follows a bespoke Explorers Curriculum, thoughtfully designed to reflect the natural world and the changing seasons. Inspired by a rich variety of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, our curriculum is intricately planned to complement the environment and spark curiosity.
At the heart of our approach is a strong ethos of child-led learning. We believe that by harnessing children’s natural instincts and interests, we create powerful opportunities for deeper engagement and lasting learning. Our chosen texts and activities are carefully linked to the children’s individual learning styles and developmental stages.
We use a Key Worker model, allowing each child to naturally form a bond with a preferred member of staff. This key worker takes time to get to know each child and their family, building a nurturing and trusting relationship. With this understanding, they introduce natural resources, tools, structures, books, and modelled play that gently guide each child to their next step in learning.
This is not ordinary childcare—this is the Explorers Way.
The Explorers Day
Our days are shaped by the individual rhythms of the children and inspired by the ever-changing natural environment. We give children the freedom to explore, play, and truly be themselves—immersed in nature and guided by curiosity.
Learning is woven into the day through an age-appropriate blend of stories, phonics, and maths, as well as our plan-do-review approach. Other areas of the curriculum are accessed through child-led, play-based experiences.
There are no strict time limits or rigid schedules—children are free to immerse themselves in activities for as long as they need. This open and flexible approach supports deeper, more meaningful learning and encourages holistic development in ways a traditional classroom often cannot.
Explorers Food
We believe that good nutrition fuels great learning.
Our full-day nursery sessions include:
A nourishing breakfast
Healthy morning and afternoon snacks
A freshly prepared lunch with dessert
A light tea
Plus bottomless water available throughout the day
Our part-day sessions include:
Healthy snacks
A delicious lunch with dessert
And, of course, unlimited access to water
To help keep your child well-hydrated and promote independence, we kindly ask that you send them in with a name-labelled, reusable water bottle each day.
Acorns (0–2 years)
Our youngest children, aged 0 to 2, are known as the Acorns. They are lovingly cared for by our specially trained and highly skilled Nursery Practitioners, who have a deep interest and expertise in the development of infants and toddlers.
We are guided by attachment theory, placing strong emphasis on building secure, trusting relationships with both children and their families. These formative years are crucial, and we create a nurturing environment that supports emotional security and early learning.
Much of our time is spent outdoors, where the children begin to explore the world around them. Through our mini Forest School environments, even our youngest learners are encouraged to observe, listen, and start learning how to assess and manage risks. These early experiences lay the foundation for growing independence and a lifelong love of nature.
Saplings (2–3 years)
As children near the age of 2, they may begin spending more time with the Saplings—our transitional group for children aged approximately 2 to 3 years. This stage bridges the nurturing environment of the Acorns with the growing independence of older Oaks.
Children typically join the Saplings when they begin to show increased stamina and a natural curiosity for spending more time outdoors. Their daily routine has times of flexibility and can be responsive, guided by how they present each day—emotionally, physically, and developmentally.
Our experienced Saplings practitioners are highly attuned to this unique stage of early childhood. They skilfully observe patterns of behaviour and subtle cues, ensuring each child is in the environment that best supports their comfort, confidence, and enjoyment—setting the stage for a happy and successful day of exploration and learning.
Oaks (3–4 years)
As children approach the age of 3, they begin a gentle transition into the Oaks group. Just like earlier transitions, this is a gradual and child-led process. Children start by spending increasing time with the Oaks leaders in our Forest School environment, while gradually reducing their time with the Acorns and Saplings.
This important step is carefully supported in partnership with parents and carers. We recognise the value of familiar relationships and consistent routines, and we ensure that each child feels secure and confident as they move into this next stage of exploration, independence, and growth.
Fees and Admissions
We accept all forms of government funding, which we evenly distribute across the applicable term. We also welcome tax-free childcare payments and childcare vouchers.
Government funding covers a nutritious pescatarian/vegetarian diet, prepared by our experienced catering staff using seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Please note that funding does not cover the cost of:
- Forest School Kit and spares (We kindly ask that these items be provided with the children’s names clearly labelled.)
- Nappies, wipes, and creams (enough for a month, labelled)
- Any specific dietary requirements your child may have (we have a clear procedure for all allergies and intolerances)
Once your child turns 2, an optional enrichment charge applies for those attending our Forest School Nursery.
To learn more about our fees and admissions, please read our Pricing Policies (below) , or get in touch.
We accept all forms of government funding, which we evenly distribute across the applicable term. We also welcome tax-free childcare payments and childcare vouchers.
Government funding covers a nutritious pescatarian/vegetarian diet, prepared by our experienced catering staff using seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Please note that funding does not cover the cost of:
Forest School Kit and spares (We kindly ask that these items be provided with the children’s names clearly labelled.)
Nappies, wipes, and creams (enough for a month, labelled)
Any specific dietary requirements your child may have (we have a clear procedure for all allergies and intolerances)
Once your child turns 2, an optional enrichment charge applies for those attending our Forest School Nursery.
To learn more about our fees and admissions, please read our Pricing Policies (below) , or get in touch.
