Mini Explorers Nursery

The Pepper Pot, Crabtree Hall Business Centre, Little Holtby, Northallerton DL7 9LN
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9.9 40 Reviews
  • Mini Explorers Nursery, Northallerton
Mini Explorers Crabtree Hall – The UK’s First Recognised Farm School Nursery.

Mini Explorers at Crabtree Hall is proud to be the UK’s first recognised Farm School Nursery, offering a unique and enriching early years experience rooted in nature, outdoor learning, and farm life. Located on a working farm in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside, the Mini Explorers provides children with daily opportunities to connect with the natural world.

From the youngest babies in the Baby Bunnies room to the confident pre-schoolers in Farm School Two, children explore fields, woodlands, and the wider Crabtree Hall estate. They engage with real-life learning through experiences such as feeding animals, planting crops, and observing seasonal changes. These experiences help to build confidence, independence, and a strong sense of curiosity about the world around them.

Mini Explorers promotes a deep understanding of animal welfare, food production, and environmental responsibility. Children are encouraged to take risks, solve problems, and build resilience through both guided activities and child-led exploration.

The dedicated team of Early Years Educators at Mini Explorers combines the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) with outdoor, farm-based learning. Children benefit from rich, hands-on experiences that promote physical development, emotional wellbeing, and social skills, all while fostering a lifelong respect for the environment.

With its strong focus on outdoor learning and meaningful experiences, Mini Explorers provides a truly special setting where children grow, thrive, and develop the foundations for a lifelong love of learning.
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Funding & Fees

April 2026 – March 2027


Full Day 7am-6.30pm -
0-2 Years: £83.25
2-3 Years: £81.75
3-5 Years: £81.25


½ Day 7am-12pm / 1pm-6.30pm: £47.90 for all ages.
Lunch hour (12noon – 1pm): £8.90 per hour


Optional consumables charge for 3 years+(for children receiving Government Funded hours) - £2.60 per hour
Optional consumables charge for 9 months - 3 years funded children (for children receiving Government Funded hours) - £1.50 per hour

Contact Mini Explorers Nursery to get a personalised quote.

Contact Mini Explorers Nursery to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

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

Owner

  • Mini Explorers Crabtree Ltd
  • Privately Owned

Person in Charge

  • Rachael Lattimer (Operations Manager)

Admission Information

  • 12 weeks - 5 years

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 38

Total Places for Children

  • 93

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

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

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Parking

  • Mini Explorers is based on a private site with ample parking. They have a small amount of parking directly outside the rooms of the nursery and a larger car park 50m from the nursery.

Mini Explorers Nursery Reviews (40)

9.9

Mini Explorers Nursery has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.885) out of 10, based on 27 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Mini Explorers Nursery has 40 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Mini Explorers Nursery
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Total of 40, showing 1-20
Review from Katie H (Mother of Child) published on 13 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have seen such an incredible transformation in our child's confidence and social skills since joining Mini Explorers. The range of activities from messy play to outdoor exploring is fantastic. The staff are clearly passionate about early years education and always find creative ways to engage the
children. We couldn't ask for a more stimulating environment and highly recommended to other parents within the area.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryWe are absolutely delighted to hear about the positive changes you have seen in your child's confidence and social skills since joining Mini Explorers. Supporting children as they grow in confidence and build friendships is such an important part of what we do, so it's lovely to know this is being reflected in your experience.

It's also fantastic to hear that your child enjoys the wide range of activities we offer, from messy play to exploring the outdoors. Our team are very passionate about creating engaging, meaningful experiences for the children, so your kind words will mean a great deal to them.

Thank you again for your support and for being part of the Mini Explorers community.
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Review from Abbie W (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy started in January in baby bunnies room, he is my first child and Mini Explorers is his first nursery and also first time away from me. The staff have been brilliant so helpful and reassuring every step of the way. He has settled great and goes in to nursery smiling and comes out just
as happy with a full belly ( I think this is my son's favourite part). I can really see a big change since starting he is more confident going somewhere new and enjoys being outside a lot more than before. I'd recommend this nursery to any parents as the experiences like going to see the farm animals are like no other., thank you Mini Explorers
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Operations Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for your lovely review. It means a great deal to us, especially knowing that Mini Explorers was your little boy's first experience away from you.

We are so pleased to hear how well he has settled into Baby Bunnies and that he arrives with a smile and leaves just as happy (with a full tummy too!). Supporting children - and parents - through those first nursery experiences is something our team really cares about, so your kind words will mean a lot to them.

It's wonderful to hear that you've already seen his confidence grow and that he's enjoying spending more time outdoors and exploring. We're very lucky to have the farm and animals as part of the children's experiences, and we love seeing how much they enjoy it.

Thank you again for your recommendation and for trusting us with such an important part of your little boy's early years.
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Review from A C (Mother of Child) published on 11 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We absolutely love this nursery. From the moment our daughter started in the baby bunnies room to now in the hoppity hares room we could not ask for more. The staff are nurturing, kind and supportive and know the children's interests perfectly to inspire and promote learning. Our daughter has so much
confidence since attending the nursery, has made lots of friends and we love that the children are outside exploring the world around them most of the day. The environment is beautiful and it provides so many practical learning opportunities and it is great to see the children help care for the animals. The key worker our daughter has is amazing and knows her so well, which has made a huge difference to us as she now loves going to nursery and is very settled. We love to hear the stories from the day. We also find the app extremely useful.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for your wonderful review. It means so much to our whole team to hear how happy your daughter has been throughout her journey with us, from Baby Bunnies through to Hoppity Hares.

We are so pleased to hear that she has grown in confidence, made lovely friendships and enjoys spending so much time outdoors exploring the farm and the world around her. Providing children with meaningful outdoor experiences and opportunities to care for the animals is something we are very passionate about, so it's lovely to know this is something you value too.

Your kind words about our team and your daughter's key worker really mean a lot. Building strong, nurturing relationships with the children and truly understanding their interests is at the heart of what we do, and we're delighted that this has helped her feel so happy and settled at nursery.
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Review from N C (Father of Child) published on 10 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Overall, our experience of our daughter attending this nursery has been extremely positive. The staff are very friendly, seem attentive and appear to take a genuine interest in our daughter. I think the updates that are provided on the app and upon pic up are very detailed and reassuring. Our daughter
seems extremely happy at nursery and has made loads of friends with the other children, and even the staff. She also seems to have great experiences out and about around the farm / fields. Not many other nurseries will have this available on their doorstep, so this is a real bonus. The parent's evenings have been great and extremely detailed. We also enjoy attending the special stay and play parent events, this is a great thing for the nursery to offer.
I guess the only things to be improved upon are the car parking around the hoppity hares room can feel quite dangerous at busy pick up times. Sometimes the structure of updates you get differ depending which staff member you get.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Operations Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. We are delighted to hear that your daughter is so happy at Mini Explorers and that you have had such a positive experience with our team.

It's wonderful to hear that you value the updates through the app and at pick-up, as well as our parent evenings and stay and play events. We love welcoming families into the nursery and sharing the children's learning and experiences with you. We're also so pleased that your daughter enjoys exploring the farm and surrounding fields - it really is a special part of our setting and something we're very proud to offer the children.

Thank you as well for your helpful feedback. We understand that the car park can feel busy at peak pick-up times, and we will continue to review how we can make this as safe and smooth as possible for families. We will also share your comments with the team to ensure we continue working towards consistency in the structure of our updates.
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Review from O M (Mother of Child) published on 10 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mini Explorers is such a great choice! The staff are fantastic; they are caring and professional. They have kept us informed and are always there to help with questions. Our child has a fabulous time during his days there. He gets to do lots of different activities, is offered lots of food and gets
to spend time inside and outside. We would highly recommend this nursery!
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for your lovely review and kind words about Mini Explorers. We are so pleased to hear that your child is having such a wonderful time with us.

Our team works really hard to create a caring, engaging environment where children can explore, learn and have fun both indoors and outdoors, so it means a lot to hear that this is being reflected in your experience.

Thank you for your recommendation and for trusting us to be part of your child's early years journey.
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Review from Emily R (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy absolutely loves Mini explorers, he has learnt so much. He's 18 months old now and from starting at 10 month old he has come on leaps and bounds developmentally. He eats all his meals really well so I'm sure the food must be wonderful.
We live on a farm so it's like a home from home,
but we don't have as many wonderful types of animals.
I just love that when we arrive on a morning, whoever comes out to take him in welcomes him by name and I just know he's getting the best care. I would recommend to anyone!
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for your lovely review. It's wonderful to hear how much your little boy is enjoying his time at Mini Explorers and how much he has developed since starting with us.

We're so pleased that our farm environment feels like a home from home for him, and that he enjoys spending time outdoors and around the animals. Hearing that he arrives happily each morning and is welcomed by name means a great deal to our team, who work hard to build those warm relationships with every child.
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Review from Gavin L (Father of Child) published on 6 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We feel so lucky to have found this nursery. Our little boy is 2 and a half and he absolutely loves going every single day. What makes it so special is how much time they spend outside. He is roaming the fields daily, exploring nature properly rather than just being in a playground. There are lambs,
pigs and cows on site, and he gets to help feed them and learn where food comes from. It has given him such a natural understanding of the world around him at such a young age. The team are fantastic and so well organised. Everything is provided, which makes life so much easier as a parent. All we need to do is pack warm outdoor clothes and he is set for the day. In the summer they even have real barbecues next to the outdoor sandpit, which he still talks about. His absolute favourite part is playing on the tractors in Farm School 2 paddock. He comes home muddy, happy and full of stories every single time. We could not recommend this nursery more highly. It is such a special place for my son.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for such a wonderful review. It's lovely to hear how much your little boy enjoys his days with us and how much he values the outdoor experiences. We truly believe children learn best through real-life exploration, so it's fantastic to know he is enjoying roaming the fields, spending time with the animals and getting muddy along the way.

We're also so pleased that the small touches - from tractor play in the paddock to summer barbecues - have created such special memories for him. Our team work incredibly hard to create meaningful experiences for the children, so your kind words really do mean a lot.

Thank you for trusting us with your son's early years. It's a joy to watch him grow, learn and come home happy and full of stories.
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Review from C D (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
They make fantastic use of their outdoor space and regularly take the children out for walks to explore nature and see the animals, which I absolutely love. It's wonderful knowing my child gets so much fresh air and outdoor learning time. The updates on the app are brilliant - it's so reassuring to
see what my baby has been up to during the day, especially as she's too little to tell me herself. The communication between home and nursery is always good, and I feel they really listen and cater well to my child's individual needs. The variety of home-cooked meals is amazing - my daughter often has seconds, which says it all! The only small downside for us have been that there can be a waiting list for certain days. However, overall we've had a very positive experience and feel confident leaving our child in their care.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for your lovely review. We're delighted to hear how much you value the outdoor experiences, walks, and time the children spend exploring nature and the animals. It's also wonderful to know the app updates help you feel connected to your daughter's day and that our team's communication and care make you feel confident leaving her with us.

Tara and the kitchen team will be so pleased to hear your kind comments about the meals too. Thank you as well for your understanding regarding waiting lists on some days - we always do our best to accommodate families where we can.

We really appreciate your feedback and are so pleased your daughter is enjoying her time at Mini Explorers.
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Review from Rebecca C (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has been at Minis since she was 10 months old, she's now 3. Right from the start the staff in the rooms have been fantastic, developing a genuine bond with the children. Even before she was walking, she went outside, come rain or shine, exploring the farm and surrounding countryside. Coming
from an agricultural background, it was really important to us that our children learnt about the countryside and farming from a young age. Minis has provided this in spades, from learning how to safely feed an animal to talking about the food chain of the wildlife in the fields and where they live.
Her speech and numeracy has had a firm foundation and she has a large repertoire of sign language. Most importantly thought she has so much fun, has made some wonderful friends and just loves going. The food is also outstanding. Freshly made on sight by the wonderful Tara and her team she has such a varied diet and definitely eats better at nursery than at home. Our son starts soon too.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for your wonderful review. It's lovely to hear how much your daughter has enjoyed her time with us and how much you value the outdoor experiences and opportunities to learn about the countryside and animals. We're so pleased she has built such strong foundations in her learning, made great friendships, and most importantly had so much fun along the way. Tara and the kitchen team will also be delighted to hear your kind comments about the food. We're really looking forward to welcoming your son soon as well.
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Review from A K (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our little one loves going to nursery he goes in with no problems and the updates throughout the day keep you updated with his progress and development. He gets on with all the teachers and I know he loves all the food he is served. He loves being outside walking and seeing the animals.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Operations Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for your lovely review. We're delighted to hear that your little one enjoys coming to nursery and feels happy and comfortable with the team. It's wonderful to know you enjoy the updates throughout the day and that he loves the outdoor walks, seeing the animals, and of course the food! We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
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Review from Amy H (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter started Mini Explorers in Sept 25 in the Baby Bunnies room and it has been the best decision we made. She has come on so much even though she only attends 2 days. The diary app is clear, the photos are lovely to see each day and the fresh cooked food they provide is exceptional, so varied.
4*'s for the staff and this is only a reflection of the handovers. It depends on who it is you collect your child from as to what kind of handover you get. Some are brilliant, informative with all information you would want. However there are a couple of staff that you need to prompt for any information at all. That being said there are too many positives to mention. The fact my child is being cared for and educated in the outdoors and around animals just makes the whole experience. Family are always included and often invited to spend time with your little one. We particularly loved the bonfire night they held, such a gorgeous wholesome event and there have been many more. She loves it!
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Operations Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. We're delighted to hear how much your daughter is enjoying her time in Baby Bunnies and how well she has settled since joining us in September. It's lovely to know that the outdoor experiences, animals, activities, and events have made such a positive impact for your family.

Thank you also for bringing the point about handovers to our attention. We really value this feedback and will be discussing this with the team at our next staff meeting to ensure handovers are consistently clear and informative for all families.

We truly appreciate your kind words and support.
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Review from Shana B (Mother of Child) published on 2 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little girl is absolutely thriving in the nursery. The nursery offer so much outdoor space and freedom to roam and learn about nature and animals based on the farm.
The nursery also put there everything into making sure the children are exposed to new experiences such as inviting people into nursery
for plays, science activities and so much more.
The staff are incredible with the children which shows as my daughter feels so happy and comfortable with the and always looks forward to going to nursery.
Couldn't fault the nursery at all
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Operations Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for taking the time to share this lovely review. We're absolutely delighted to hear how well your little girl is thriving with us. Providing children with the freedom to explore, learn outdoors, and connect with nature and animals is at the heart of what we do, so it's wonderful to hear how much she's enjoying this. We also love creating exciting, enriching experiences for the children, and it means a lot to know these are making such a positive impact.
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Review from Emma K (Mother of Child) published on 2 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both of our children are so happy at Mini Explorers and are thriving in their settings. We both work full time so it was so important we found a childcare setting that was nurturing, fun and friendly. The children spend so much time outside playing and learning through play which is something we as
a family really value. It's wonderful to see our toddler outside in all seasons and interacting with the animals and the farm - something we just couldn't offer them day in day out. When we moved to the area, all of our friends, without hesitation, recommended Mini Explorers and we can absolutely see why!
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Operations Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for this wonderful review. We're so pleased to hear that both of your children are happy and thriving with us. It means a lot to know that our nurturing, outdoor-focused approach fits so well with what you value as a family. Seeing children explore the farm, care for the animals, and learn through play in all seasons is exactly what Mini Explorers is all about.
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Review from A B (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have experienced a few different nurseries and Mini Explorers is by far the best. My child went from screaming and clinging on to the door at their previous setting but with in a few sessions at mini explorers they were happy to go in and now asks to go.
The setting of the nursery is wonderful.
The communication from all staff is fantastic with a detailed and in depth hand over, even when it's raining or other parents are waiting they always make sure the handover is completed for each child.
Can't recommend Mini Explorers enough.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Operations Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryWe're absolutely delighted to hear how settled and happy your child is with us now - that transition you described means everything to our team. Knowing they now ask to come is the biggest compliment we could receive!

Thank you also for recognising our communication and handovers. Even on the soggiest days, making sure every child's day is shared properly with their family is something we really value.
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Review from Gayle V (Mother of Child) published on 26 February 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child loves his time at Mini Explorers, he always talks about the fun he has had with his friends and the staff. I love how much they learn and that we get to see about their day on the app. The menu always sounds amazing and the facilities are excellent.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Operations Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryWe're so pleased to hear how much your child enjoys his time at Mini Explorers and that he comes home chatting about the fun he's had with his friends and our team - that really means the world to us. It's wonderful to know you enjoy seeing snapshots of his day through the app too, as sharing those special moments with families is something we really value.

We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to our kitchen team as well - they'll be delighted to hear the menu is appreciated! Thank you again for your support and for being part of Mini Explorers.
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Review from Bridie S (Mother of Child) published on 25 February 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We absolutely love Mini Explorers Nursery. My daughter is so happy there that she actually gets upset when it's not a nursery day - which says everything in my opinion!
The opportunities they give the children feel so unique and thoughtfully planned. Every week she's experiencing something new, creative
and engaging, and it's been incredible to see how much it's brought her on. The nursery's core values really shine through in everything they do. It feels genuinely holistic - they care just as much about emotional development and confidence as they do about learning.
I've worked in a nursery myself, and my mum was a nursery manager for 25 years, so I feel like I have a good understanding of what quality childcare looks like. Mini Explorers truly stands out. The staff are warm, nurturing and passionate, and it's clear they love what they do.
I couldn't recommend it more highly.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for taking the time to leave such a beautiful and thoughtful review, it truly means more to us than we can put into words.

Knowing that your daughter is so happy here that she's upset on non nursery days is the biggest compliment we could ever receive. Hearing how much she's enjoying the experiences we plan and how you've seen her grow in confidence and development is exactly why we do what we do.

Your comments about our values and holistic approach mean a great deal, especially coming from someone with such strong experience and insight into early years practice. To have our work recognised by someone who truly understands quality childcare is incredibly reassuring and motivating for our whole team.

Our staff will be so touched to hear your kind words, they pour their hearts into caring for the children every day, and feedback like this reminds us how special the Mini Explorers community really is.
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Review from R F (Mother of Child) published on 25 February 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy loves it at this nursery! As he was my first child I was very nervous when I had to go back to work but mini explorers put me at ease. The staff are so lovely and make sure they know each child's routine before they start. I can't fault anything. I love getting photos on the app and being
able to see what he's doing whilst I'm at work.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Operations Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for taking the time to leave such a beautiful and thoughtful review.

Knowing that your daughter is so happy here that she's upset on non nursery days is the biggest compliment we could ever receive. Hearing how much she's enjoying the experiences we plan and how you've seen her grow in confidence and development is exactly why we do what we do.

Your comments about our values and holistic approach mean a great deal, especially coming from someone with such strong experience and insight into early years practice. To have our work recognised by someone who truly understands quality childcare is incredibly reassuring and motivating for our whole team.

Our staff will be so touched to hear your kind words, they pour their hearts into caring for the children every day, and feedback like this reminds us how special the Mini Explorers community really is.
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Review from A G (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We love Mini Explorers. The staff is so kind and really attentive to each child and needs. Also love that my child gets to grow up surrounded by nature and animals and gets to explore outdoors. Baby is always happy to go and have fun.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Operations Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for your kind words. We're delighted to hear how happy your little one is at Mini Explorers and that you value the care, attention, and outdoor experiences we offer. It means a great deal to our team to know our children are thriving and enjoying their days with us. Thank you for your lovely support.
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Review from J B (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I feel very lucky my son gets to go here and I just wish I had more days for him. He's learnt so much, is cared for, adores all staff in baby bunnies and gets excited to be there. My only small change would be staff at handover providing a clearer update in regards to food or naps as sometimes what
is said doesn't match the app which can be confusing if he's poorly or understanding his food intake. It's nothing major just one small thing if I was to give it. I can't thank you all enough.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for such a thoughtful and balanced review. We're so pleased to hear how happy your son is in Baby Bunnies and how excited he is to be here - that really means the world to us. Knowing he feels cared for, secure, and is learning so much is exactly what we strive for every day.

We also really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback about handovers. This is genuinely helpful, and we completely understand how important clear, consistent information is, especially around sleep and food. We'll be sharing this with the team to ensure verbal handovers and app updates align more closely moving forward.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
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  • Value for Money
Review from M F (Mother of Child) published on 29 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My two children absolutely love being Mini Explorers. They're always out and about visiting the animals or the tractors. They always have stories to tell when they come home.
The staff are all incredibly friendly and approachable. Nothing is too much trouble.
I'd have no issues in recommending Mini
Explorers as a nursery to anyone.
Reply from Rachael Lattimer, Manager at Mini Explorers NurseryThank you so much for your lovely review. We're delighted to hear how much your children enjoy their time at Mini Explorers and that they go home with so many stories to share - that's exactly what we love to see! Our team will be so pleased to know their efforts are appreciated, and it means a lot to us that you would recommend us to others.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.885)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.885) out of 10 for Mini Explorers Nursery is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 27 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 26 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 4.885 for Mini Explorers Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (295 Excellents x 5) + (22 Goods x 4) + (4 Satisfactorys x 3) + (1 Poors x 2) + (1 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 323 Ratings = 4.885
  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 Mini Explorers Nursery is based on 26 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 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 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 93 number of registered child places is 18.6, which has been reached with 26 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 (2)

Meet the Team (8)

Steph

Steph Pybus

Job Title: Nursery Owner Joined: 2012

Founder and owner Steph is the beating heart of Mini Explorers and is often the first point of contract for any new families to the nursery. Often seen running about the farm with a phone in one hand and a notepad in the other, Steph is always knee-deep in one project or another. From recruiting flocks of pregnant Herdwick sheep, to re-developing the mud kitchens, Steph is on a never-ending quest to make Mini Explorers an even more exciting and dynamic setting for our children.

Mark

Mark Pybus

Job Title: Farmer Joined: 2012

Mark Pybus, or ‘Farmer Mark’ as he is known to our children, is our resident farmer and agronomist. When he’s not zooming about the farm in his distinctive black Land Rover looking busy and important, he can often be found talking to small groups of Mini Explorers about his work and enlisting their help to plant trees, move chicken sheds and mend fences. There are always jobs to be done!

Charlotte

Charlotte Hurworth

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2018

Charlotte is our Nursery Manager, leading Mini Explorers with warmth, experience, and a strong focus on high-quality early years practice. She ensures the nursery runs smoothly each day while supporting engaging, purposeful play that promotes learning, curiosity, and children’s development across all areas of the EYFS.

Sarah

Sarah

Job Title: Nursery Manager & Curriculum Lead Joined: 2023

Sarah holds Early Years Professional Status (Level 6) and joined Mini Explorers in August 2023. As Nursery Manager and curriculum lead, she brings energy, creativity, and a deep passion for outdoor learning to Farm School One.


With over 15 years of early years experience, Sarah champions our farm-based ethos using nature, animals, and hands-on exploration to spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire a lifelong love of learning in every Mini Explorer.

Claire

Claire

Job Title: Deputy Manager & Baby Bunnies Room Manager Joined: 2023

Claire joined Mini Explorers in September 2023 and is our Baby Room Manager and Deputy Nursery Manager. She holds a Level 3 qualification in Early Years Education and brings over 12 years of experience working with children of all ages.


Having previously managed a 2–3-year-old room in Cyprus, Claire is passionate about creating nurturing, stimulating environments where babies feel safe, curious, and confident to explore. She loves sensory and messy play, making the most of our outdoor spaces to support early development and independence.


Warm, welcoming, and endlessly caring, Claire brings both professional expertise and a calm, reassuring presence to Baby Bunnies every single day.

Tara

Tara

Job Title: Nursery Chef Joined: 2019

Tara leads our café, The Nest, where she prepares nutritious, home-cooked meals that children truly enjoy. From hearty lunches to freshly baked treats, Tara takes great care in providing balanced food that supports children’s health, well-being, and energy for learning. She is always welcoming, and her warm, friendly approach helps children feel comfortable and confident around food.

Gabby

Gabby

Job Title: Chef Joined: 2025

Gabby works alongside Tara in The Nest, supporting the preparation of nutritious, freshly made meals and snacks for the children each day. She plays an important role in ensuring food is prepared safely, thoughtfully, and with children’s needs in mind. Gabby’s calm, caring nature helps create a positive mealtime environment where children are encouraged to try new foods and develop healthy eating habits.

Grandad

Grandad Bobby

Job Title: Grounds Keeper Joined: 2012

Proving that Mini Explorers really is a family-affair, Grandad Bobby is one of the many characters you will hear your children talk about. Grandad Bobby is our resident maintenance guru and groundsman. He helps the children with many of their gardening projects, and oversees the landscaping of the Crabtree Hall grounds. Whilst the children know him as Grandad Bobby, he will be more familiar to many parents as ‘the man on the mower’!

Frequently Asked Questions about Mini Explorers Nursery

What is the Age Range of Children that Mini Explorers Nursery accepts?

Mini Explorers Nursery accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Mini Explorers Nursery Open?

Mini Explorers Nursery is open: Monday 07:00-18:30, Tuesday 07:00-18:30, Wednesday 07:00-18:30, Thursday 07:00-18:30, Friday 07:00-18:30.

How many Children does Mini Explorers Nursery have capacity for?

Mini Explorers Nursery has capacity for a total of 93 Children.

How far is Mini Explorers Nursery to the centre of Northallerton?

6.7 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

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