Explorers Nursery at QE

Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate, Thorpe Green Lane, Thorpe Underwood, York YO26 9SS
Review Us
Top 20 award
9.8 46 Reviews
  • Explorers Nursery at QE, York
Explorers Nursery at QE is the Outstanding Early Years provision (ISI February 2019) at the Excellent rated independent school, Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate.

Situated on the beautiful Thorpe Underwood Estate, Explorers Nursery at QE is a friendly setting where children receive the best possible support and care.

The experienced team of staff there take pride in ensuring a warm, family atmosphere in which the children can learn. They focus on the Prime curriculum areas crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and building on their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.

A creative refurbishment of the setting in 2017 means that children benefit from a specially designed flexible indoor space and interactive outdoor learning area. They also have access to a standalone library and a dedicated Early Years dining area, so that they can enjoy meal times together in a homely atmosphere. Meals are prepared by a dedicated Early Years chef, who caters for all nutritional requirements.

Children grow and develop through three main rooms:

Adventurers:

The 3-month to early walkers’ room. Staff create a lovely, friendly and soothing first room for the children who have their own, unique routine. There are a range of activities and toys for the child to investigate, and the children often get rather messy when they do their first masterpieces of art!

Voyagers:

For early walkers to 2 years. Staff begin to encourage independence. The team organise activities that move the children on to their next steps, along with lots of opportunity for messy/tactile play!

Pioneers:

For children aged 2-3 years. Staff create an energetic and very independent room. Children have more activities to choose from and are big on outside play. Children at this age are starting to form friendships and staff facilitate this with more group activities.
Show Explorers Nursery at QE on the Map

Funding & Fees

Monthly fees:
Half a day - £40
Full day - £80
5 days a week - £375


At Explorers Nursery, we accept the Government Tax-Free Childcare Scheme and Childcare Vouchers.

Contact Explorers Nursery at QE to get a personalised quote.

Contact Explorers Nursery at QE to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Owner

  • Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate
  • Privately Owned

Person in Charge

  • Emily Hunter (Head of Early Years)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 13

Total Places for Children

  • 36

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 3 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Explorers Nursery at QE Reviews (46)

9.8

Explorers Nursery at QE has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.793) out of 10, based on 12 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Explorers Nursery at QE has 46 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 46
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Date Published
  • 46
  • 7
  • 7
  • 12
  • 34
Reviewer Connection to Explorers Nursery at QE
  • 42
  • 4
Total of 46, showing 21-40
Review from Bana R (Mother of Child) published on 7 March 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has attended Queen's Kindergarten since he was just under a year- he absolutely loved it and the staff make it like a second home. He’s always happy and the updates during the day show just how much fun they get up to!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from J P (Mother of Child) published on 24 January 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are thrilled with our experience at Queen's Kindergarten. The space is incredible, the facilities are beautiful, but it's the staff that make it so special. They are all so fantastic with my daughter and make her time fun, educational and varied. We are so happy with the care they provide.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Rachel D (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our little boy started at Queen's Kindergarten when he was 11 months old. I searched high and low for somewhere that I was happy to send him and that looked like a happy, colourful environment for him and the minute I met the amazing ladies at Queen's, I was sold. He has come on leaps and bounds since
being there - he is so much more confident and loves going there two days per week. The staff are genuinely the most caring and compassionate ladies - I feel completely at ease leaving my son in their care and we receive lots of wonderful photos and updates throughout the day. I couldn't recommend it more highly.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Zoe P (Mother of Child) published on 22 December 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We moved our son to Queen's Kindergarten in January of this year. He settled quickly and is still super happy to go. The staff are amazing and we are kept up to date on his progress. The daily updates and photos are great. The outdoor and indoor space the children have is amazing. My son recently had
a stay in hospital and the staff have been nothing but accommodating and have gone out of their way to get him back to nursery and ensure the environment met his temporary needs. I was sceptical about nursery as a whole but Queen's Kindergarten has put any doubts I had to bed and I could not recommend them enough.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from A L (Mother of Child) published on 1 December 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son started at Queen's Kindergarten, at 8 months old and even though it was only for one day per week at first, we could immediately see a surge in his development. His general confidence and curiosity to explore in new surroundings improved and this is undoubtedly due to the care and stimulation
provided by the staff. Our regular updates (online and in person) are so reassuring and informative. I was so worried about him starting nursery at that young age, but he really loves it, in fact, he hasn't cried once when dropping him off! Very impressed and I'd certainly recommend.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from L C (Mother of Child) published on 5 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Honestly, a fabulous nursery. My little girl has progressed unimaginably over the last nine months of being there. The staff are the most kind, happy and caring team. My little girl smiling and reaching out for them every morning, makes me so happy to drop her off. The activities they do are so exciting
and interactive, all age appropriate and I love how there are monthly themes to their learning, even from such a young age. The location and facilities are fabulous. I love how they can go for safe walks around the main school facilities, to see all the nature in the area and occasionally use the pool (an activity my daughter loved!) The lunches look so nutritious. The staff are all so attentive to my daughter's needs, it really makes going to work so much easier knowing your child is being cared for by such an amazing team. I couldn't recommend the kindergarten enough!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Charlotte W (Mother of Child) published on 15 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at Queens Kindergarten for eight months and has loved it throughout. She settled really quickly and it was clear the staff really understood her - what she liked, didn’t like, what she was good at and the things she struggled with. She is my youngest so we have settled children
into a lot of nurseries before and this has been the best experience by far!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Lucinda P (Mother of Child) published on 14 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Wonderful nursery with amazing staff who look after the children very well. My son attended three years ago and now his younger sister is enjoying attending. My daughter is very happy to go in each day and always comes away very happy too. The staff know her well and set up tasks to suit her interests.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Lucy R (Mother of Child) published on 13 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending Queen's Kindergarten for the last year since he was eight months old. He has flourished in their care and he is so happy to see them every morning at drop-off. All the staff are incredibly friendly, attentive and competent and the food, facilities and activities are second
to none. We receive daily updates through the Tapestry app which provides a lovely window into his day and allows for interaction with the nursery staff too. I would highly recommend this Kindergarten to anyone!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Janette M (Mother of Child) published on 13 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Kindergarten team are warm, welcoming and give my son lots of opportunity to grow and develop in a structured environment where he has clear direction, can socialise and learn social rules and expectations. He is excited every day to attend, which says it all.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Rebecca P (Mother of Child) published on 13 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has been going to Queen's Kindergarten for six months and we’ve noticed a massive improvement in her social, language and motor skills. She is very happy when we drop her off and we get regular updates about her daily care and activities throughout the day on Tapestry, which is easily accessible
online. Our daughter has a lactose intolerance and staff have been able to source lactose-free and dairy-free alternatives so our daughter is accommodated. The vast grounds at Queen's mean that our daughter has regular trips outside to explore the secret garden and playground.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Charlotte M (Mother of Child) published on 13 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This nursery is fantastic, my second daughter has just started with them and, as I expected, they have been exceptional. They communicate regularly throughout the day, the facilities are excellent and children thrive in their care. Highly rated.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Helene B (Mother of Child) published on 2 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Queen's Kindergarten is a wonderful setting. The facilities are amazing and the hygiene regime is second to none. The staff are amazing, extremely welcoming and helpful. My child has delayed language and they have been so accommodating and supportive in his development, happy to work with other health
professionals and on a one to one basis with my child. I couldn’t have asked for more. If you are reading this and considering Queen's Kindergarten for your child, we really did our research and struggled to find a better setting for our little boy.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Richard G (Father of Child) published on 28 January 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Queen's Kindergarten is a wonderful setting with amazing facilities and a lovely staff team. The children are able to take part in a huge amount of different experiences and activities, and parents are kept up to date with what their child has been up to via a really useful app. They go out for daily
walks and spend a lot of time enjoying the great outside space they have. We feel that the staff really know our daughter and her personality/likes/favourite things etc. They certainly seem to have a lot of fun together! The staff are also really helpful and accommodating when we need extra days due to work commitments. My daughter is the second child that has attended - she loves the staff and is incredibly happy and settled, for which we are incredibly grateful. We would definitely recommend Queen's Kindergarten.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Sarah H (Mother of Child) published on 27 January 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both of my children have attended Queen's Kindergarten and both have loved it. The care and attention that all the staff show the children is wonderful. They are excellent at uploading pictures of what your children are up to and are fantastic at communicating if they need to get in touch. The activities
they do are always really creative and fun. My favourite thing about the kindergarten is the smile on my youngest’s face every time we arrive. He quite literally runs into their arms and it gives me absolute confidence that I can fully recommend this kindergarten. My children love it.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Lauren B (Mother of Child) published on 24 January 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Wonderful nursery; offering a super caring fun environment for little ones. Benefiting from being on huge grounds, giving the children a varied outdoor space for them to explore. This is my second child to attend Queen's Kindergarten, and we’ve had nothing but a very positive experience.
The staff
are wonderful and will cater to any individual needs of your child.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Arabella M (Mother of Child) published on 24 January 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
After a negative childcare experience prior to coming here, I was a bit nervous about how my little girl would settle. But from day one, the staff working with the children have been so friendly and kind, ensuring that our little girl happily bounds in each morning. They do a range of activities and
are always smiling and positive. I enjoy the app updates. Mainly, I feel confident that when my little girl is upset, they look after her. A weight has been lifted, and the daily pressures of parenting are slightly eased(!) by not having to worry about her during the day. Thank you.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Fiona M (Mother of Child) published on 7 January 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
After our daughter and I had a very negative experience at another nursery we were both very anxious about trying another nursery but the staff have been absolutely incredible with our daughter and amazingly she has settled in so well, she adores the staff and I feel very happy leaving her with them.
They read and meet her needs as a toddler perfectly.
I would recommend them to anyone, my daughter's very happy here and her happiness is, in my opinion, the best review they could receive. I'm very grateful for all they do for her and the confidence they have given her.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Olivia D (Mother of Child) published on 23 December 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Kindergarten is fantastic, from the moment I first left my son I felt confident that he was in good hands. He has settled in amazingly and will now happily go to one of the girls for a cuddle and breakfast and wave goodbye to me. He is involved in a range of activities, including the school birthday
meal, Christmas meal, messy play, craft activities etc. We have received a number of homemade products which is lovely. The parent app is fantastic and gives a good overview of the day, as well as photos. Highly recommended, your child will be in superb hands.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Rebecca R (Mother of Child) published on 20 December 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been at Queen's Kindergarten for just under 2 years in a full-time capacity. Both myself and my husband were very nervous at leaving him in the early days due to the complex nature of his needs and potential complications, which meant hospital stays and various procedures. The staff have
been amazing since day one and nothing has been too much trouble in terms of organising and developing new ways of reporting his daily activities that are shared with consultants at the Leeds General Infirmary children’s dept. The dedication to toilet training has meant that something which we were advised may never be achieved has exceeded all expectations from ourselves directly and those at Leeds General Infirmary.
At times I do feel as though my little boy is spoilt rotten (which is fine by me!), in the early days he has been bathed, hair washed and dried and cared for as one of their own. So much so at times he asks to go home with the staff and not me! He has made lots of friends and always talks about the staff when at home.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.793)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.793) out of 10 for Explorers Nursery at QE is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 12 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.8 out of 5 from 12 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.993 for Explorers Nursery at QE is calculated as follows: ( (142 Excellents x 5) + (1 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 143 Ratings = 4.993
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 4.8 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Explorers Nursery at QE is based on 12 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 3.8
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 36 number of registered child places is 7.2, which has been reached with 12 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

Loading

Loading Loading

Loading

Loading

Awards / Recognitions (3)

Meet the Team (13)

Emily

Emily

Job Title: Head of Early Years Joined: 2025

Emily is the Head of Early Years

Aimee

Aimee

Job Title: Assistant Manager of Queen's Kindergarten Joined: 2018

Aimee works in the Adventurers' room.

Hana

Hana

Job Title: Assistant Manager of Queen's Kindergarten Joined: 2016

Hana works in the Voyagers' room.

Tina

Tina

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2021

Tina works in the Adventurers' room.

Hannah

Hannah

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2020

Hannah works in the Voyagers' room.

Becky

Becky

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2022

Becky works in the Voyagers' room.

Amy

Amy

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2024

Amy works in the Adventures room.

Tegan

Tegan

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2023

Tegan works in the Pioneers' room.

Emma

Emma

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2024

Emma works in the Pioneers' room.

Emily

Emily

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2024

Emily works in the Pioneers' room.

Caitlin

Caitlin

Job Title: Early Years Apprentice Joined: 2024

Caitlin works within all 3 rooms.

Becki

Becki

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2025

Becki works in the Voyagers room and goes swimming with Pioneers.

Lauren

Lauren

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2025

Lauren works in the Adventurers' room.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Explorers Nursery at QE to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Explorers Nursery at QE has an Enhanced Service - more info.