Explorers Nursery at QE

Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate, Thorpe Green Lane, Thorpe Underwood, York YO26 9SS
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Top 20 award
10 40 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:

Squirrel Nutkin Room

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!

Jemima Puddle-Duck Room

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!

Peter Rabbit Room

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.
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Type of Service

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

Owner

  • Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate
  • Privately Owned

Person in Charge

  • Karen Kilkenny (Head of Chapter House and Queen's Kindergarten)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 10

Total Places for Children

  • 36

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Days per Week - Weekly Cost:
    5 days - £323.00
    4.5 days - £306.00
    4 days - £285.00
    3.5 days - £255.00
    3 days - £223.00
    2.5 days - £184.00
    2 days - £151.00
    1.5 days - £118.00
    1 day - £80.00
    0.5 days - £49.00

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Explorers Nursery at QE Reviews (40)

10

Explorers Nursery at QE has a Review Score of 10 (10.000) out of 10, based on 10 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Explorers Nursery at QE has 40 reviews.

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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Review from Jo A (Mother of Child) published on 19 December 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent facilities and a lovely caring team. My son loves going and is flourishing there. The staff provide lots of updates and photos during the day via the app which is great. Particularly comes into its own during the dimmer whether children have the opportunity to explore the fabulous grounds
and use the play area.
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Review from Meg W (Mother of Child) published on 19 December 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Queens Kindergarten is a wonderful childcare facility. They individualise care for every single child who attends whilst maintaining a whole community atmosphere. The adaptable and brilliant facilities have meant my daughter has not felt any change moving between the different rooms or key workers.
The staff are worth their weight in gold and will always go the extra mile to ensure each child is cared for exactly how they need to be. The rural setting is beautiful, safe and clean. The opportunities and events available at Queen's Kindergarten are exciting and something I’ve never seen at another nursery. Just last week, my daughter had the chance to have a Christmas dinner and go see a play! Can’t recommend it enough, we are gutted we are edging towards outgrowing it ready for school!
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Review from Katie H (Mother of Child) published on 19 December 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Brilliant, caring and incredibly helpful. My son is extremely happy and confident to attend and the staff always do their best to be flexible when requested.
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Review from Helen M (Mother of Child) published on 30 August 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very good overall although the large number of staff involved can mean that care feels a little more institutional and less personal at times. Facilities, cleanliness, efficiency, food are all outstanding.
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Review from Emily P (Mother of Child) published on 15 August 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I can’t recommend the Kindergarten at Queen Ethelburga’s enough. The staff are amazing and put my daughter, husband and I at ease straight away despite us being very nervous about leaving our little girl (our first baby) with them at 15 months old. The facilities are second to none and the activities
that they engage the children in are fun, imaginative and educational. It is such a lovely environment for children to make friends, learn and flourish in. Our daughter’s development has come on in leaps and bounds since attending Queen’s Kindergarten, she is really happy there and we will be sad when she reaches 3 and has to leave!
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Review from Rachael W (Mother of Child) published on 14 August 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff at Queen's Kindergarten are amazing, from my little boy's first day (only nine months old) in the Squirrel Nutkin room they made both him and myself feel completely at ease. They take every need into consideration and provide constant updates on care and development.
The nursery have always
been flexible with day changes/additional days which is extremely helpful for us as working parents. The facilities are immaculate and the location of the nursery is extremely safe, tucked within the grounds of a beautiful school, which was definitely a conditional element for me as a parent when choosing the right nursery. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (10.000)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (10.000) 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 10 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 10 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 5.000 for Explorers Nursery at QE is calculated as follows: ( (119 Excellents x 5) ) ÷ 119 Ratings = 5
  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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Explorers Nursery at QE is based on 10 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 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    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 10 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.

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Awards / Recognitions (3)

Meet the Team (12)

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 Squirrel Nutkin room.

Hana

Hana

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

Hana works in the Peter Rabbit room.

Tina

Tina

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2021

Tina works in the Squirrel Nutkin room.

Hannah

Hannah

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2020

Hannah works in the Jemima Puddle-Duck room.

Becky

Becky

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2022

Becky works in the Jemima Puddle-Duck room.

Amy

Amy

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2024

Amy works in the Jemima Puddle-Duck room.

Becky

Becky

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2024

Becky works in the Jemima Puddle-Duck room.

Tegan

Tegan

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2023

Tegan works in the Peter Rabbit room.

Emma

Emma

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2024

Emma works in the Peter rabbit room.

Emily

Emily

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2024

Emily works in the Peter Rabbit room alongside Tegan.

Caitlin

Caitlin

Job Title: Early Years Apprentice Joined: 2024

Caitlin works within all 3 rooms.

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.