Little Explorers (nI) Limited offers privately run Out of School Clubs since its opening in September 2015 by its Director/ Manager Jacqueline Hylands.
We are based in Hillsborough Scout & Community Hall opposite Downshire Primary School, Hillsborough.
Jacqueline is Mum to 4 grown up sons and was Beaver Leader in Hillsborough Scouts for nearly 20 years. After raising her family, she decided to undertake her Level 3 in Childcare Learning and Development and Level 5 in Playwork to realise her desire to harness her experience and work with school aged children.
Aims, Objectives and Ethos
Little Explorers is a socially responsible family-owned childcare provider that aims to provide quality, professional, and flexible value for money out of school childcare, to meet the needs of parents /carers and the children attending local schools.
We aim to provide a fun, secure, stimulating, and caring play environment that is welcoming and will encourage children to develop to their full potential. We believe that each child is unique and their welfare and development is our priority
We follow the Playwork Principles – See Annex 1. Children are encouraged to freely choose and engage in the activities they wish to. We believe that play has biological, psychological, and social benefits and is fundamental to the healthy development and well-being of children.
We are committed to providing the highest standard of care in a friendly, warm atmosphere whilst actively promoting equal opportunities and continuing to provide effective learning opportunities for all children. Little Explorers is where children can discover, achieve, and express themselves through play and where parents/carers feel confident to leave their child in safety.
We are committed to providing a high level of care and therefore seek to recruit well trained qualified members of staff with a compassionate and caring outlook. We pride ourselves in ensuring our staff will be offered a full and varied program of training opportunities which will benefit both staff and the children as individuals in our care.
We value our relationship with our parents/carers and are committed to working in partnership with them to provide the best quality play and care for your children. We operate an open-door policy, and welcome parents, at all times to discuss their children and our service. During Covid-19 we ask that you contact us by phone first and an appointment may be made when necessary.
We are members of Playboard and Early Years
We are registered by South Eastern Social Services Early Years Team Ballynahinch/ Bangor who inspect us annually.
www.playboard.org