Welcome to our nursery in Southbourne
A bright, spacious nursery on the Bourne Community College site. Big, light-filled rooms with far more space per child than most nurseries, a secure garden for climbing, bikes and water play, and a close community feel.
Graded Strong standard by Ofsted
At our April 2026 inspection, Ofsted graded Southbourne Strong standard for behaviour, welfare and wellbeing, inclusion, and leadership — with safeguarding met. Here's what the inspector 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 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 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“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 standardWhat makes us special
Bright & spacious rooms
Really open, light-filled rooms, with much more space per child than the average nursery.
Multi-sensory play
Water tables, sensory bins and loose parts for every learning style.
Great for school links
On a college site — a natural first step towards 'big school'.
Incredible staff
A team who know every child well, experienced in supporting SEND, and out and about with them: trips to the farm shop and local parks to explore.
See a real day at JC Little Explorers
No stock photos, no actors — just our nurseries, our team and our little explorers. Then hear from the parents and staff who know us best.
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Everything you need to decide, in one pack
- Fees, sessions and what's included
- How funded hours work with us
- Our routines and curriculum
- Settling in, meals and the Famly app
- How to book your visit
Get your free parent pack
Fees, sessions, menus and how to start, straight to your inbox.
Bourne Community College
Park Road, Southbourne, Emsworth PO10 8PJ
“I'd love to show you round — come and meet the team and see the nursery in action.”
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A nursery for families across Southbourne & Emsworth
JC Little Explorers Southbourne is a bright, spacious nursery and preschool on the Bourne Community College site on Park Road, between Emsworth and Chichester. Families come to us from Southbourne, Emsworth, Westbourne, Nutbourne, Hermitage, Bosham and the surrounding villages, and we accept West Sussex funded hours alongside fee-paying places from 6 months.
Southbourne nursery questions
Is there a nursery in Southbourne?
Yes. JC Little Explorers Southbourne is on the Bourne Community College site, Park Road, Southbourne PO10 8PJ, a short drive from Emsworth.
What did Ofsted say about the Southbourne nursery?
Ofsted inspected us in April 2026 and graded us Strong standard for behaviour and routines, welfare and wellbeing, inclusion, and leadership and governance, with safeguarding met.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm, all year round.
Do you accept West Sussex funded childcare?
Yes. We accept 15 and 30 funded hours a week, term time or stretched across the year, plus Tax-Free Childcare.
What did Ofsted say about you?
Southbourne was inspected in April 2026 and graded Strong standard for behaviour, welfare and wellbeing, inclusion, and leadership, with safeguarding met. Purbrook was graded Good in every area in April 2025. Both full reports are on the Ofsted website.
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.
Looking for Hampshire? Visit our Purbrook nursery