# Little Explorers: Rainford

Little Explorers: Rainford is a sessional pre-school at United Reformed Church, Higher Lane, Rainford, St. Helens, WA11 8AL, in Rainford, St Helens. It is registered for 54 children. Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection in June 2022, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025. It has a Google rating of 4.6 from 9 reviews (November 2026). It is run by Little Explorers Nurseries Ltd.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-explorers-rainford-2544732  
Last checked 4 November 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Sessional pre-school
- Address: United Reformed Church, Higher Lane, Rainford, St. Helens, WA11 8AL
- Registered places: 54
- Phone: 01744 525057
- Website: https://www.littleexplorers.co.uk/
- Run by: [Little Explorers Nurseries Ltd](https://toddly.co.uk/groups/little-explorers-nurseries-ltd)
- Ofsted URN: 2544732

## Ofsted and official records

Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection on 28 June 2022, 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/16/2544732

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since September 2019 (Reference 2544732). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2544732)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 28 June 2022). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2544732)
- Registered places: 54 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2544732)
- Food hygiene rating: 5 (Very good) (inspected 19 June 2026). Source: Food Standards Agency, checked 13 November 2026 (https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/1202391)

## Fees

Fees, hours and ages: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

Opening hours and ages: not published yet.

## Getting there

Address: United Reformed Church, Higher Lane, Rainford, St. Helens, WA11 8AL

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=53.503009,-2.783824

- 11 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: Spinney/Linear Park, under 0.1 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.2 miles
- 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 St Helens there are about 3.1 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: 4.6 out of 5 from 9 reviews (as of 4 November 2026)

## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainford CofE Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | School remains Good (September 2023) | yes | under 0.1 miles |
| Rainford Brook Lodge Community Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (November 2022) | yes | 0.3 miles |
| Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (April 2023) | yes | 0.3 miles |
| Rainford High School | Secondary | 11–18 | Report card (January 2026) |  | 0.4 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Crank Nursery Limited](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/crank-nursery-limited-315416) | Good |  |  | 1.7 miles |
| [Bright Beginnings Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/bright-beginnings-nursery-ey454220) | Good |  |  | 2.6 miles |
| [The Ducklings Day Nursery - Skelmersdale](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/the-ducklings-day-nursery-skelmersdale-ey542383) | Outstanding |  |  | 2.8 miles |
| [Planet Kids Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/planet-kids-day-nursery-ey335615) | Good |  |  | 2.9 miles |
| [Heirs and Graces PDN](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/heirs-and-graces-pdn-323096) | Good |  |  | 3.1 miles |
| [Stepping Stones Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/stepping-stones-day-nursery-ey488543) | Good |  |  | 3.1 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

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

Ofsted rated Little Explorers: Rainford Good at its inspection on 28 June 2022, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

### How many children can Little Explorers: Rainford take?

Little Explorers: Rainford is registered with Ofsted for up to 54 children at any one time.

### Who runs Little Explorers: Rainford?

Little Explorers: Rainford is run by Little Explorers Nurseries Ltd, which runs 4 nurseries.

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

Rainford is the nearest station we know of, 1.0 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact Little Explorers: Rainford?

You can call 01744 525057 and visit www.littleexplorers.co.uk.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2544732)
- Rating and review themes: Google, as of 4 November 2026 (https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Little+Explorers+Nursery+-+Rainford&query_place_id=ChIJJyfBtzAae0gRRKy4N_6P4aA)
- 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.