Submit a Review for Mini Explorers Nursery
The Pepper Pot, Crabtree Hall Business Centre, Little Holtby, Northallerton, DL7 9LN
View full details of Mini Explorers NurseryLatest Reviews for Mini Explorers Nursery
13 March 2026
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.
12 March 2026
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
11 March 2026
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.
10 March 2026
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.
10 March 2026
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!
06 March 2026
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!
06 March 2026
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.
06 March 2026
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.
06 March 2026
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.
06 March 2026
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.
06 March 2026
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!
02 March 2026
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
02 March 2026
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!
27 February 2026
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.
26 February 2026
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.
25 February 2026
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.
25 February 2026
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.
22 February 2026
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.
22 February 2026
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.
29 September 2025
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.
Latest Reviews for Mini Explorers Nursery
13 March 2026
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.
12 March 2026
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
11 March 2026
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.
10 March 2026
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.
10 March 2026
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!
06 March 2026
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!
06 March 2026
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.
06 March 2026
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.
06 March 2026
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.
06 March 2026
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.
06 March 2026
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!
02 March 2026
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
02 March 2026
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!
27 February 2026
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.
26 February 2026
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.
25 February 2026
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.
25 February 2026
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.
22 February 2026
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.
22 February 2026
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.
29 September 2025
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.