Mini Explorers Play School Ltd

Inspection of Mini Explorers Play School Ltd Sence Valley Forest Park, IBSTOCK, Leicestershire LE67 6NW

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

Staff greet children warmly as they arrive at this 'home-from-home' pre-school. Children are eager to join in with the stimulating activities that staff provide for them. They investigate fun resources using all their senses. For example, children squeeze limes into water, tear up herbs to make 'soup' and add spices to make 'smelly' balls of dough. Staff talk to children as they play, introducing new vocabulary, such as 'absorb', to describe what is happening. They clearly explain the meanings of words, for instance saying it is 'soaking up like a sponge'. Staff take every opportunity to stimulate children's thinking, creativity and imaginations as they play.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff show extremely high expectations of children's behaviour. They are consistently positive role models. When older children prepare to explore an area of the forest, staff help children to recall the rules for playing safely. Children practise responding quickly to staff when they shout for them while they play hide and seek. Staff respond immediately when children need support to resolve minor conflicts. This helps children to practise cooperating with each other. Staff set timers for children to take turns at their favourite activities, such as swinging peacefully in hammocks strung between trees. Children cuddle together and willingly share their experiences with their friends. They show great kindness. For instance, children help each other by holding back brambles with their 'safety spy' clipboards so that everyone can pass by without getting scratched. Staff use the 'safety spy' role to enable children to identify risks for themselves.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are passionate about the outstanding care and education at this inspirational pre-school. They reflect constantly on the quality of provision and identify ways to make improvements. For example, leaders have enhanced the curriculum to support younger children even further. One example of this is when younger children learn 'affirmations', such as 'I am brave, I am kind, I am strong'. They repeat these with staff during group time. n Long-standing staff get to know and nurture children very well. They show great care towards children and their families. Staff make considerable efforts to adapt teaching to meet the needs of individual children. The impact of their dedication is clear in the rapid progress made by all children. n The pre-school's curriculum is carefully structured and strongly promotes children's confidence, emotional well-being and independence, in preparation for their future learning. For example, staff focus on developing strong and loving

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need to do better?

bonds with younger children to help them to settle quickly. Older children feel valued as they help to 'reset' the play environment before they move on to the next stage of their routine. They press a buzzer if they need support with

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need to do better?

23 September 2025 toileting, which promotes their privacy and self-care. n Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is exemplary. Staff swiftly identify any gaps in children's learning. They work tirelessly with parents and other professionals to address these. Leaders use additional funding innovatively to support children's individual needs, such as providing holiday sessions. n Staff support the development of children's communication and language and early literacy skills highly effectively. They constantly talk with children, sing songs and read familiar stories in lively tones. Staff weave interesting new vocabulary into children's play. For example, they talk about animals' 'habitats' and how they 'camouflage' themselves, after sharing a book about other countries. Children look at books independently, including in the forest. n Parents and carers say they know in detail about their children's learning and

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need to do better?

development. Staff provide frequent updates online, through daily discussions and in regular meetings. They gather extensive information from parents when children start at the pre-school. They use this to plan highly effectively to follow their interests. Parents say children 'flourish' and that their 'confidence soars'. n Children develop impressive levels of physical skills and strength. Staff supervise younger children closely, such as when they move up and down safely on a wooden frame in the playroom. They encourage older children to solve problems for themselves while attempting to climb a 'spider's web' of ropes in the forest. Staff demonstrate how to use their knees to balance and arms to pull themselves up. n Leaders support staff to progress their skills continuously. Staff share new knowledge across the pre-school. For instance, they work together to provide additional quiet areas for children, outdoors as well as indoors, after training in

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need to do better?

emotional well-being. Leaders also promote staff's well-being strongly. One example of this is when leaders and staff complete supervision meetings during forest walks. Staff recognise that they, as well as children, benefit hugely from outdoor activities.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY486615 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10399508 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person Mini Explorers Play School Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07739 026528 Date of previous inspection 4 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Mini Explorers Play School Ltd registered in 2015 and is situated in Ibstock. The pre-school employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, six staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, one member of staff holds a qualification at level 5 and the manager holds qualified teacher status. The pre- school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The pre-school provides government-funded childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Staff and the children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on the children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

23 September 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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