Trusted by Ofsted. Loved by parents.
Read what Ofsted found when they inspected us, and hear from the families who choose us every day.
What Ofsted said about us
Southbourne was graded Strong standard for behaviour, wellbeing, inclusion and leadership in April 2026. Purbrook was graded Good in every area in April 2025. Safeguarding met at both. Here's what the inspectors wrote, word for word.
“Children arrive at the nursery full of excitement.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children have access to a highly impressive programme of physical development.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“This enables children to form warm and loving bonds with staff.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“There is a highly inclusive culture at the provision.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children demonstrate impressive independence in managing their own needs.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children form deep friendships with other children.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Staff are excellent role models.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children are articulate and have effective conversational skills.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Parents appreciate the involvement that they have in their children's learning, which includes daily feedback and detailed reports.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Stories, rhymes and discussions are very well embedded throughout the provision.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Staff feed back that they feel lucky to have such positive support from the leadership team.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children happily enter the nursery and confidently access the activities provided.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“They know the children extremely well and there is an effective key person system in place.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Managers provide an ambitious curriculum, which focuses on promoting independence and having good hygiene routines.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Managers use any additional funding well to support individual children's needs.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Staff feel extremely supported by their management team.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children have good self-esteem and show respect for others.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children communicate well with their peers and adults.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children move confidently and show strength in their hands for future writing.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Parents are very happy with the care provided.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children arrive at the nursery full of excitement.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children have access to a highly impressive programme of physical development.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“This enables children to form warm and loving bonds with staff.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“There is a highly inclusive culture at the provision.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children demonstrate impressive independence in managing their own needs.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children form deep friendships with other children.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Staff are excellent role models.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children are articulate and have effective conversational skills.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Parents appreciate the involvement that they have in their children's learning, which includes daily feedback and detailed reports.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Stories, rhymes and discussions are very well embedded throughout the provision.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Staff feed back that they feel lucky to have such positive support from the leadership team.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children happily enter the nursery and confidently access the activities provided.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“They know the children extremely well and there is an effective key person system in place.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Managers provide an ambitious curriculum, which focuses on promoting independence and having good hygiene routines.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Managers use any additional funding well to support individual children's needs.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Staff feel extremely supported by their management team.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children have good self-esteem and show respect for others.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children communicate well with their peers and adults.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children move confidently and show strength in their hands for future writing.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Parents are very happy with the care provided.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Staff are quick to welcome the children and provide comfort if needed.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children enjoy their learning experiences in this safe environment.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children have good personal development skills.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“All children have equal opportunities to achieve and are progressing well in their development.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children have good behaviour and are kind to each other.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Staff promote communication and language development well.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children have many opportunities to extend their physical development.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Staff teach mathematics consistently throughout the day.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Staff communicate effectively with parents and keep them up to date on their child's development through an online system.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children thrive in the warm and welcoming environment that leaders and staff have thoughtfully created for them.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“The key-person system is highly effective.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“They demonstrate that they feel safe and have a deep sense of belonging.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children with SEND make impressive and sustained progress that provides them with the tools for the next stage in their learning.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children show extremely positive attitudes to their learning.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“They have warm and trusting bonds with staff.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children are caring, extremely thoughtful and well mannered.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Leaders have excellent partnerships with external professionals and parents.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children show their delight as they thoroughly enjoy dancing and music activities.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Attendance at the setting is excellent.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Staff are quick to welcome the children and provide comfort if needed.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children enjoy their learning experiences in this safe environment.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children have good personal development skills.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“All children have equal opportunities to achieve and are progressing well in their development.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children have good behaviour and are kind to each other.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Staff promote communication and language development well.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children have many opportunities to extend their physical development.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Staff teach mathematics consistently throughout the day.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Staff communicate effectively with parents and keep them up to date on their child's development through an online system.”
Ofsted report · Good in every area“Children thrive in the warm and welcoming environment that leaders and staff have thoughtfully created for them.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“The key-person system is highly effective.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“They demonstrate that they feel safe and have a deep sense of belonging.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children with SEND make impressive and sustained progress that provides them with the tools for the next stage in their learning.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children show extremely positive attitudes to their learning.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“They have warm and trusting bonds with staff.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children are caring, extremely thoughtful and well mannered.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Leaders have excellent partnerships with external professionals and parents.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Children show their delight as they thoroughly enjoy dancing and music activities.”
Ofsted report · Strong standard“Attendance at the setting is excellent.”
Ofsted report · Strong standardIn their own words
What parents say
“My little boy absolutely loves going, he adores the girls who work there! He has come on leaps and bounds with his speech etc. I'm so pleased I chose JC little Explorers! The girls are so welcoming and if I have any concerns they are very reassuring.”
“My son has started recently and has really settled in. Been invited to parties already. Lovely staff. Great to see photos of what he's been doing there, as he can't tell me. Good range of toys and activities.”
“Amazing nursery, amazing staff, my daughter has come on leaps since starting and has got a lot more vocal and her speech has come on loads! She hardly spoke now she can say loads more words and doesn't stop talking they are fabulous and I'm so glad we chose JC Little Explorers.”
“Can't recommend the Girls at JC more if I tried ! Our daughter loves going and always eats well, and has plenty of fun. Parents are fully informed on activities children have done via a private Facebook page and the app Famly”
“JC Little Explorers Purbrook staff are absolutely amazing, they have excellent communication, they're friendly and welcoming. My daughter has separation anxiety, it took her a little while to get used to being dropped off but once she was in she was absolutely fine and two members of staff were so understanding about my anxiety about leaving her as well!”
“I'm very cautious about leaving my little girl with anyone. However, JC Little Explorers is like a home from home. After a few cries at the door, she is enjoying it so much. She is still shy, only going half a day a week, but every time I pick her up, she always says how much fun she has had.”
Meet the people who'll care for your child
Come and see us — your little explorer is welcome too
A tour takes about 30 minutes. Meet the team, look around and ask anything. Most parents tell us they knew within five minutes.
