# Little Explorers

Little Explorers is a full-day nursery at 263 West Drive, Thornton Cleveleys, FY5 2RX, in Burn Naze, Lancashire. It is registered for 50 children. Ofsted rated it Outstanding at its inspection in March 2024, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025. It has a Google rating of 4.5 from 15 reviews (October 2026). It is run by Adventures in Learning Limited.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-explorers-ey498674  
Last checked 30 October 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Full-day nursery
- Address: 263 West Drive, Thornton Cleveleys, FY5 2RX
- Registered places: 50
- Phone: 01253 858748
- Website: http://www.littleexplorers-nursery.com/
- Run by: [Adventures in Learning Limited](https://toddly.co.uk/groups/adventures-in-learning-limited)
- Ofsted URN: EY498674

## Ofsted and official records

Ofsted rated it Outstanding at its inspection on 6 March 2024, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

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

Safeguarding effective.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY498674

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since March 2016 (Reference EY498674). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY498674)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 6 March 2024). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY498674)
- Registered places: 50 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY498674)
- Food hygiene rating: 5 (Very good) (inspected 5 December 2025). Source: Food Standards Agency, checked 13 November 2026 (https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/873154)

## Fees

Fees, hours and ages: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

Opening hours and ages: not published yet.

## Getting there

Address: 263 West Drive, Thornton Cleveleys, FY5 2RX

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=53.883971,-3.014035

- 9 bus stops within 400 m
- Playground: Playground, 0.4 miles

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

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Lancashire there are about 2.7 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

- Google: 4.5 out of 5 from 15 reviews (as of 30 October 2026)

## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Thornton Cleveleys | Primary | 4–11 | Report card (February 2026) |  | 0.3 miles |
| Thornton Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Good (February 2023) | yes | 0.3 miles |
| Great Arley School |  | 4–16 | School remains Good (April 2024) |  | 0.4 miles |
| Thornton-Cleveleys Red Marsh School |  | 2–19 | School remains Outstanding (March 2024) | yes | 0.4 miles |
| Thornton Cleveleys Royles Brook Primary School | Primary | 5–11 | Some aspects not as strong (December 2024) |  | 0.4 miles |
| Northfold Community Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Good (April 2024) |  | 0.8 miles |
| Thornton Cleveleys Manor Beach Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Good (July 2024) |  | 1.1 miles |
| Thornton Cleveleys Baines Endowed Voluntary Controlled Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Good (March 2025) |  | 1.1 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Chestnut Cherubs](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/chestnut-cherubs-ey562157) | Good |  |  | under 0.1 miles |
| [Sacred Heart Pre-School](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/sacred-heart-pre-school-ey318019) | Good |  |  | 0.3 miles |
| [Windmill Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/windmill-day-nursery-502179) | Good |  |  | 0.5 miles |
| [Kids Planet Thornton](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/kids-planet-thornton-2683675) | Good |  |  | 0.5 miles |
| [Little Explorers Cleveleys](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-explorers-cleveleys-2699751) | Outstanding |  |  | 0.6 miles |
| [Marmalade Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/marmalade-nursery-2540885) | Good |  |  | 0.7 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Little Explorers's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated Little Explorers Outstanding at its inspection on 6 March 2024, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

### How many children can Little Explorers take?

Little Explorers is registered with Ofsted for up to 50 children at any one time.

### Who runs Little Explorers?

Little Explorers is run by Adventures in Learning Limited, which runs 4 nurseries.

### What is the nearest station to Little Explorers?

Thornton Gate (Blackpool Tramway) is the nearest station we know of, 1.0 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact Little Explorers?

You can call 01253 858748 and visit www.littleexplorers-nursery.com.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY498674)
- Rating and review themes: Google, as of 30 October 2026 (https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Little+Explorers+Nursery+and+Forest+School%2C+Thornton&query_place_id=ChIJO0gp9cVce0gR0gjQmSn738s)
- 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.