Hythe

Nursling

Basingstoke

Southampton

Hythe


Explorers Day Nursery

At Explorers Day Nursery in Nursling, we believe every child’s early years should be full of discovery, confidence and laughter. Set in a modern, purpose‑built nursery with spacious indoor areas and large outdoor play spaces, our team support children to explore, create and grow through play‑led experiences that reflect their individual interests. With a genuinely welcoming atmosphere and strong partnerships with families, we aim to help every child feel secure, inspired and ready to take on new challenges each day.

DayNurseries.co.uk logo showing nursery listing
Ofsted rated Good day nursery logo
A coin with a dollar sign surrounded by two green leaves.

‘Good’

Download report

Explorers Day Nursery in Nursling is a place where early childhood is enriched through engaging, everyday experiences. Children enjoy learning and playing in bright, welcoming indoor rooms and spacious outdoor areas that invite exploration, movement and discovery. Just off the M271, our modern, purpose-built nursery offers flexible sessions and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere that works well for both local families and commuters.

We care for children from babies through to preschool age, supporting them to build confidence and independence in a way that feels natural and reassuring. Activities and resources are thoughtfully chosen to reflect each child’s interests and abilities, helping them feel capable, curious and proud of what they can do. Strong, trusting relationships between staff, children and families sit at the heart of everything we do, ensuring every child feels known, secure and supported.

Whether children are exploring the garden, taking part in planned activities or following their own ideas through play, they are encouraged to learn and grow in a safe, stimulating and supportive environment where curiosity is celebrated and joy is part of every day.

Wednesday

8am - 6pm

8am - 6pm

8am - 6pm

8am - 6pm

8am - 6pm

Monday

  • I joined Little Shipmates Day Nursery in 2014, beginning my journey as a bank staff member. Over the years, I have been fortunate to progress through a variety of roles, including Nursery Practitioner, Senior Practitioner, Room Leader, Deputy Manager, and now Nursery Manager. I am incredibly proud to be part of a dedicated team who are passionate about giving children the very best start in life.

    Throughout my time at the setting, I have always strived to ensure that every child in my care thrives across all areas of their development. I am deeply committed to creating a nurturing, caring, and inclusive environment where all children and families feel welcomed, supported, and celebrated. My aim is to ensure that every child feels safe, valued, and confident as they begin their learning journey.

Portrait of a young woman with blonde hair, wearing a white shirt and black jacket, standing against a plain white background.
  • Hello, I'm Becky, My journey in early years began as an apprentice, and over time I have worked my way up to my current role as Deputy Manager. Supporting children has always been a true passion of mine, even from a young age. I thrive when I’m in the rooms, engaging in play, building meaningful relationships, and discovering each child’s unique personality. One of the most rewarding parts of my role is watching children grow in confidence and achieve their milestones, knowing I have contributed to their early development and sense of pride.

    Outside of work, family is a huge part of my life. I spend most of my free time with them, especially my niece and nephew, and I love watching them grow into the incredible little people they are becoming. Knowing that my niece looks up to me and wants to be like me when she grows up is an amazing and humbling feeling.

Gray silhouette of a person on a light gray background.

Friday

Tuesday

Discover, Play and Grow at Explorers Day Nursery

Thursday


Meet Our Manager

Megan, our Nursery Manager at Explorers in Nursling
  • Description text goes here
 

Monday 8am - 6pm

Tuesday 8am - 6pm

Wednesday 8am - 6pm

Adanac Drive, Nursling, Southampton, SO16 0AS

02380 731448

Thursday 8am - 6pm

Friday 8am - 6pm

Key Highlights at Explorers:

A bottle of water, a bowl of mixed salad with tomatoes and lettuce, a tomato, and a carrot.
Pill-shaped icons arranged in a grid resembling a tic-tac-toe game, with different colors and patterns.
A faucet with a water droplet and water drops falling into a body of water.

Fresh, healthy menu

Outdoor Space

Sensory Room

Water Play

On-site Parking

Purpose Built

Where Imagination Takes Shape

A young girl smiling and laughing as she plays with foam during outdoor play.

Our purpose-built nursery at Explorers is designed with children in mind at every turn. Inside, large, flexible play areas give children room to move, explore and let their imaginations run free. Outside, our expansive garden is a world of adventure - complete with a climbing frame, a giant sandpit and all-weather flooring so play can continue come rain or shine.

We also have a dedicated sensory space tucked away in its own cozy corner, where children can relax, explore textures, sounds and lights, and enjoy quiet moments of discovery. Every corner of Explorers has been thoughtfully created to inspire curiosity, creativity and confidence - turning everyday moments into meaningful learning experiences.

Children Engaged in Active, Imaginative Play

What to show

  • 1–3 children in large, flexible play areas (indoor or outdoor)

  • Running, building, climbing, exploring — genuine engagement

  • Bright, airy environment with lots of natural light

  • Practitioner nearby, supportive but unobtrusive

A Caring Start to Every Journey

A smiling baby girl holding onto a blue handlebar on a small trampoline, with a nursery practitioner close by, outdoors in the garden

Starting nursery is a big step, and at Explorers we make sure every child feels safe, secure, and valued from day one. Our friendly staff take the time to get to know each child and family, tailoring the settling-in process to each little one’s needs.

We keep parents fully involved, sharing updates and observations so you can see your child learning, playing, and thriving each day. This close communication, combined with our nurturing, family-like atmosphere, helps children settle quickly, feel part of the Explorers community, and grow with confidence and joy.

Practitioner Welcoming a Child

What to show

  • Practitioner crouched to child’s level, greeting or guiding them

  • Child looking confident, curious, or reassured

  • Warm, bright nursery environment in background

  • Optional parent in shot leaving or smiling

Discover, Explore, Grow

A young boy playing with a wooden block and various screws and bolts of different sizes and shapes

At Explorers, every day is an opportunity for children to explore, learn, and discover what excites them. From babies taking their first steps to preschoolers building confidence and independence, we nurture each child at their own pace, celebrating achievements big and small. By getting to know each child individually, we create a supportive environment where they feel secure, valued, and ready to engage with the world.

Learning at Explorers is playful, hands-on, and meaningful. Activities are designed to spark curiosity, develop skills, and encourage empathy, cooperation, and problem-solving. With gentle guidance and a focus on each child’s interests, we help children build confidence, resilience, and a love of learning that will stay with them long after they leave.

Child Engaged in Hands-On Learning

What to show

  • 1–3 children exploring materials (blocks, sensory table, water, natural objects, or creative play)

  • Practitioner nearby, guiding subtly

  • Bright, inviting space with visible activity

  • Genuine expressions of curiosity, focus, or delight

  • My children do/did enjoy going to Explorers Nursery. The staff are friendly and helpful. I do sometimes feel that due to the numbers of children at the nursery, the children don't focus as perhaps they should. Sometimes drop off's can be hectic and on occasion, there hasn't been enough staff to cover this. The food is excellent and I thank the chefs for encouraging my daughter to try different foods. The garden equipment/space is excellent.

    Lindsey M - Mother

  • After almost a year of being on the waiting list, we were not disappointed! My son joined the baby room at 1 year 3 months and knowing he was well cared for, stimulated and socialising with other babies, helped me fell less anxious about returning to work. All of the staff are friendly, working in the best interests of the children and are able to build special relationships with the children. My son has progressed to toddlers and is provided with engaging activities to keep busy and learning. Explorers offer an excellent settling-in programme and their food is delicious - all home cooked. My son usually eats everything - a testament to the tasty, well-balanced meals and snacks. The manager has been particularly supportive during some difficult persona; times. I would not hesitate recommending Explorers - my son loves it!

    Angela H - Mother

  • Explorers has spacious, bright and airy rooms with a wide variety of things to do. My son particularly likes the role play areas and the enormous garden. My son has formed close attachments to the staff and some other children at the nursery and is always keen to show the staff new things that he's learnt. There is regular feedback through the Tapestry app and at handover times. There are some great activities for the children to learn from, particularly the science experiments and sensory areas. Overall, me and my son love this nursery and would be happy to recommend it to friends.

    Karen C - Mother

  • Our son has been with Explorers in the baby room for 6 months now, we have seen him develop more interests and skills every week with the incredible support from the girls there. The artwork that comes home with him and afternoons for families that they arrange around special occasions only adds to how grateful we are that he spends time there. Nothing is ever too much to ask, they give us advice, and are always welcomed with a smile. Whilst it can be hard to leave your child at nursery because you have to work, we feel safe in the knowledge that he is being so well cared for, whilst having lots of fun and learning at the same time.

    Kiera - Mother

Connect with Us

Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with activities, photos and community moments:

For broader news, insights, and updates from across our wider organisation, be sure to visit our company blog on our website, where we share helpful articles, announcements, and stories that reflect our values and approach to early years education. Together, these channels are a great way to stay informed and feel connected.