# Explorers at Herston

Explorers at Herston is a sessional pre-school at St Marks School, High Street, Swanage, BH19 2PH, in Herston, Dorset. It is registered for 24 children. Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection in September 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025. It is run by Explorers Childcare Group Ltd.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/explorers-at-herston-2653000  
Last checked 31 October 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Sessional pre-school
- Address: St Marks School, High Street, Swanage, BH19 2PH
- Registered places: 24
- Phone: 01929 426355
- Website: http://www.explorerswraparoundchildcare.com/
- Run by: [Explorers Childcare Group Ltd](https://toddly.co.uk/groups/explorers-childcare-group-ltd)
- Ofsted URN: 2653000

## Ofsted and official records

Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection on 26 September 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

- Quality of education: Good
- Behaviour and attitudes: Good
- Personal development: Good
- Leadership and management: Good

Safeguarding effective.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2653000

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since August 2021 (Reference 2653000). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2653000)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 26 September 2023). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2653000)
- Registered places: 24 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2653000)

## Fees

Fees, hours and ages: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

Opening hours and ages: not published yet.

## Getting there

Address: St Marks School, High Street, Swanage, BH19 2PH

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=50.611159,-1.984511

- 4 bus stops within 400 m
- Playground: Playground, 0.3 miles

NaPTAN, Department for Transport, checked 13 November 2026 · © OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 13 November 2026.

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Dorset there are about 2.8 children under 5 for every registered nursery place. Places are how many children nurseries may care for, not free spaces. Source: ONS Census 2021.

When to apply: https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery

## Ratings


## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | School remains Good (April 2024) |  | under 0.1 miles |
| St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton Matravers | Primary | 2–11 | Good (April 2023) | yes | 0.8 miles |
| Swanage Primary School | Primary | 2–11 | Good (November 2019) | yes | 1.0 miles |
| St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage | Primary | 4–11 | Good (June 2022) |  | 1.1 miles |
| The Swanage School | Secondary | 11–16 | Good (November 2023) |  | under 0.1 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Explorers Childcare Group](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/explorers-childcare-group-ey543323) | Good |  |  | 1.0 miles |
| [Little Birds Pre-school](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-birds-pre-school-2634135) | Outstanding |  |  | 1.1 miles |
| [Stoborough Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/stoborough-nursery-153468) | Good |  |  | 7.1 miles |
| [Rock a Tots UK Ltd](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/rock-a-tots-uk-ltd-2651157) | Good |  |  | 7.1 miles |
| [Muddy Boots Nursery School](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/muddy-boots-nursery-school-ey482827) | Good |  |  | 7.2 miles |
| [Rainbow Day Nursery School Ltd](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/rainbow-day-nursery-school-ltd-ey364293) | Good |  |  | 7.4 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Explorers at Herston's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated Explorers at Herston Good at its inspection on 26 September 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

### How many children can Explorers at Herston take?

Explorers at Herston is registered with Ofsted for up to 24 children at any one time.

### Who runs Explorers at Herston?

Explorers at Herston is run by Explorers Childcare Group Ltd, which runs 2 nurseries.

### What is the nearest station to Explorers at Herston?

Swanage (Swanage Railway) is the nearest station we know of, 1.1 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact Explorers at Herston?

You can call 01929 426355 and visit www.explorerswraparoundchildcare.com.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2653000)
- Schools: DfE Get Information about Schools, as of 4 November 2026 (https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.