Little Explorers Forest School, Broomfield, Derby

⚽🎨 Our World Cup-inspired art provocation was an absolute joy to watch unfold this week.

There is something incredibly rewarding about standing back and observing children become completely immersed in their own ideas, exploring materials in ways that adults could never have planned. The creativity, curiosity and collaboration that emerged from this simple invitation to create were wonderful to see.

At Little Explorers, our provocations are never created just because they look inviting. They are carefully considered and inspired by the developmental needs, interests and learning preferences of the children in front of us. This experience was designed with some of our schematic learners in mind, particularly those exploring trajectory and rotational schemas, giving them opportunities to move, spin, sweep, roll and create on a large scale.

Our Big Art Area continues to be one of my favourite spaces within the nursery. It provides opportunities for children to combine materials, experiment with techniques and develop both gross motor skills and fine hand dexterity, all while following their own ideas and interests. More importantly, it creates a space where children can collaborate, problem-solve, take risks and learn from one another.

Watching children work together, share resources, adapt their ideas and proudly talk about their creations reminded me once again that meaningful learning often happens when we provide the right environment and then allow children the freedom to lead the way.

Sometimes the most powerful learning starts with a simple provocation and a little curiosity. ❤️

At Little Explorers our mante is every moment matters. Meal times are one of our core opportunities to foster a sense of belonging and to reflect on our learning together.

Our "Big Group" enjoys eating outdoors throughout the year. On mild days, we listen to the birds singing, enjoy the fresh air, and share conversations about our experiences and discoveries. These moments help children connect with nature, build relationships, and develop a strong sense of community.

Listening to the birds while sharing a meal outdoors are the kinds of simple moments that are truly worth cherishing 🧡💚

Safe sleep is about more than routines and procedures – it is also about creating environments where children feel secure, calm and truly at ease.

This beautiful moment of our babies sleeping peacefully beneath the canopy of the trees reflects our ongoing commitment to providing safe, nurturing sleep spaces that support wellbeing in holistic ways. Surrounded by fresh air, natural shade, birdsong and the gentle movement of nature, the environment becomes part of the experience of rest itself.

Through reflective practice, we continue to consider how our spaces can promote not only safety, but comfort, connection and wellbeing — recognising the powerful role that awe-inspiring environments can play in helping our youngest children relax, regulate and recharge. 🌿💚

Today we celebrated the life of our friend and colleague, “Big James, as we do on this day every year.

We took time to visit his tree and read his favourite story… although I will never do it justice, as it was a story James told so wonderfully well and I will never get the farmer voice quite right !

James always believed he would never leave a legacy — today is the day I get to prove him wrong.

His big personality, kindness, humour, and the impact he had on so many children , families and colleagues continue to live on in the memories at Little Explorers .

🌿 Exciting Opportunity – Early Years Leader 🌿

We are looking for a passionate and inspiring Early Years Leader to join our nursery team.

If you are committed to shaping practice, leading with creativity, and improving outcomes for children through an outdoor pedagogy, we would love to hear from you.

✨ Full-time position
✨ Revised salary: £29,625
✨ Supportive and forward-thinking team
✨ Opportunity to make a real difference for children and families

We warmly welcome anyone interested in the role to contact us for an informal chat or visit before applying. Come and see what makes our setting such a special place to learn and grow.

Please get in touch to find out more or request an application pack.

Contact : [email protected]

Nursery Room Co-ordinator We are currently experiencing technical issues with our recruitment systems. If you do not receive your activation email once you have made a application, please contact our Talent Acquisition team by emailing [email protected] Optimistic - Equity- Kindness- Innovation– Collaborati...

"It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it ....."

A big shout out to the Little Explorers dream team for giving up a Saturday to reflect on our curriculum design and evolving pedagogy .

It really is such a pleasure and privilege to work with such passionate professionals who bring joy and laughter to each and every day . ❤️

Yesterday we made a surprise discovery on the golf course when we met the police dogs and their handlers!

What an incredibly rich learning opportunity this became for the children. They were full of curiosity and questions as they explored the police car, met the dogs, and learned all about the important roles they play within the police force.

The handlers were amazing with the children — taking time to talk about how the dogs work, what their names were, how they are trained, and the many different ways they help people and keep communities safe. It really challenged the children’s thinking beyond the idea that “police just catch baddies,” helping them develop a much deeper understanding of helping roles, teamwork, care, and responsibility.

The children loved having the chance to pet the dogs and engage in such meaningful conversations and real-life experiences. These unexpected moments often become the richest opportunities for learning, language development, confidence.

Following a headline article in the news today, I wanted to share with you the Best Start guidance on safer sleep. This is the most up-to-date, evidence-based information available and is an excellent resource to support safe sleeping practices for babies at all times, particularly when they are in out-of-home environments.

It provides clear guidance on how to reduce risks and ensure babies are sleeping as safely as possible.

If you would like us to deliver training or provide further information on this topic, please do get in touch either directly or by commenting on this page. We would be very happy to support you.

Baby safer sleep advice - Best Start in Life - NHS Find out which products your baby needs for a safer sleep and when co-sleeping is not advised.

Spending the day at our beautiful Roundhouse Campus, proudly promoting just how wonderful it is to work in Early Years – and especially what a special place Little Explorers is to build your career. It is always a joy to share a profession filled with creativity, purpose, laughter and the privilege of helping children grow, learn and thrive every single day.

At Little Explorers, we are incredibly proud of the culture we have created – a warm, supportive and ambitious team where people are truly valued. We invest in our staff, nurture talent, celebrate individuality and create opportunities for people to progress and flourish. Whether you are beginning your journey in Early Years or bringing years of experience, there is a place for you within our growing team.

We are currently recruiting for a range of exciting opportunities, from apprenticeships through to leadership roles. If you are looking for a workplace where you can make a real difference, feel supported and be part of something special, Little Explorers could be the perfect next step.

If you are interested, please complete our Expression of Interest form and we will be in touch for an informal chat. We would love to hear from you.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=R9eEdSGUfUeDRb7cXXO8RuSBw41ERDxIq0U70sSQSpRURFNNWFdXUFJBRUZUOUdNUThON1hZQVRLTS4u

Parents & Carers – Free Online Support Session

With new guidance around screen time for young children, we are opening up an important conversation for families across our wider community.

Join us for a friendly and informal online session where we will explore:
• Screen time and its impact on sleep, behaviour, language and wellbeing
• Safe and healthy use of technology
• Practical ways to create balanced routines at home
• Simple play ideas to encourage connection and learning beyond the screen

A supportive space to ask questions, share thoughts and gain realistic strategies for family life.

Everyone is welcome. Please see poster for joining details and link.

Further guidance: [https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/screen-time-under-5s/](https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/screen-time-under-5s/)