We’re delighted to announce the grand opening of our new branch in Thornbury, Bradford, on 19th January. From the outset, our vision has been to create a welcoming, inclusive space where every child and family feels valued and supported.
In just three months, we have experienced remarkable growth, with more families joining us each week. This response reflects not only the demand within the community, but also the trust that parents place in us. We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received since opening and are excited to continue building strong relationships with local families.
Our setting is designed to be a safe, nurturing environment where children can explore, learn, and develop with confidence. Whether it is making new friends, building social skills, or simply enjoying themselves, we aim to ensure that every visit is a positive and enriching experience. We place a strong emphasis on creating a sense of belonging, so that each child feels comfortable and included from the moment they walk through our doors.
At Thornbury Raising Explorers, we offer a range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of families within our community. Our childcare provision offers a safe and nurturing environment where children are cared for by experienced staff, supporting their wellbeing, development, and daily routines. We offer a pick-up service in which students are collected by trained staff and bought back to site. Through our homework support sessions, children receive structured guidance to complete schoolwork, build confidence, and develop effective study habits.
We also run holiday clubs, providing fun and engaging programmes during school holidays, including trips, creative activities, sports, and social opportunities. Our sports clubs encourage physical activity, teamwork, and confidence through a variety of structured games and activities.
In addition, our academic tuition offers focused support in core subjects, helping children strengthen their understanding and reach their full academic potential. Lastly, we provide Madrassah, giving students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Islamic studies in a structured, supportive, and respectful environment.
We also recognise that every child is unique. For this reason, we take a personalised approach, adapting our activities and support to meet individual needs. By working closely with families, we ensure that children not only feel safe and happy but are also able to thrive and reach their full potential.
Many parents who have enrolled their children have shared that there has been a significant need for a service such as Raising Explorers in the BD3 area. Families have expressed how valuable it is to now have accessible, local support, as well as a trusted environment where their children can grow and develop.
As we continue to grow, we remain committed to maintaining the warm, inclusive atmosphere that forms the foundation of our community. We look forward to welcoming more families and continuing to make a positive difference in the lives of children across Thornbury and the wider Bradford area.
February Half-Term
Our February holiday club was filled with a wide range of exciting activities and memorable trips, providing children with a fun and engaging experience throughout the week.
We were delighted to take the children on trips to Hollywood Bowl and Odeon, where they had the opportunity to enjoy bowling and watch “GOAT” at the cinema. Each child received their own personalised popcorn pack, complete with popcorn, sweets, and a drink, which made the experience even more special.
Despite this being our first holiday club, it was incredibly rewarding to see how successful the week was. The outcome exceeded expectations, and most importantly, the children thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
In addition to the trips, we offered a variety of creative and engaging activities. Our arts and crafts sessions included lantern making for Ramadan and card making, allowing children to express their creativity while learning about cultural celebrations. The children also took part in baking activities, where they enjoyed decorating cupcakes and making cheesecakes, developing both practical skills and confidence in the kitchen. For those who enjoy being active, we organised a range of sports activities, including football, badminton, and group games, encouraging teamwork, physical activity, and fun.
Overall, it was a truly enjoyable and well-rounded week, and we are proud to have created such a positive experience for the children in a short space of time.
Easter Holidays Programme
During the Easter holidays, we organised a wide range of exciting trips and engaging in-house activities to ensure children had a fun, memorable, and enriching experience. Our programme was designed to provide a balance of recreation, creativity, physical activity, and social development within a safe and supportive environment.
Week One – Easter Activities
The first week we focused on a range of Easter-themed creative and interactive activities, alongside two exciting trips to Hollywood Bowl and the National Media Museum.
Children enjoyed making their own Easter cards, allowing them to express creativity while developing fine motor skills and imagination. They also took part in Easter cookie decorating, giving them a hands-on baking experience that encourages patience, focus, and enjoyment of shared activities.
A key highlight of the week was the creation of Easter baskets, which children designed and made themselves before taking part in an exciting Easter treasure hunt. This highly engaging activity encouraged teamwork and collaboration, as the children worked together to create their baskets and then joined forces to solve and unscramble clues in order to locate where their Easter eggs were hidden.
The children thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Hollywood Bowl, where they took part in bowling and spent time in the arcade. This provided a fun and social experience, with many children successfully winning prizes and celebrating their achievements together.
Our visit to the National Media Museum allowed for the children to explore a new and stimulating environment. They were able to engage in both historic and modern technology. As well as gaining insight on how media has developed over time, they were able to take part in a range of interactive tasks.
Week Two – Space Week
The second week was space themed, designed to spark curiosity, imagination, and learning. Children took part in a variety of creative, physical, and themed activities inspired by space exploration.
A highlight of the week would have been the space themed cinema trip, where children watched “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie”, perfectly fitting for our space theme and enhancing their immersive experience. In addition, children enjoyed visiting Flip Out, where they got to play alongside their friends on the slides, bumper cars and laser zone.
Creative activities throughout the week included making their own planets, animal mask making, and designing personalised tote bags. These sessions encourage imagination, self-expression, and creativity while allowing children to take pride in their work.
We also held a sports day, where the children took part in a variety of activities and challenges, working together in teams to earn points and compete in a fun and supportive environment. This encouraged teamwork, communication, and a sense of healthy competitions.
Our baking sessions included making “moon rocks” with the younger children, while the older boys and girls created mini egg crunch cakes. These activities were both enjoyable and educational, allowing children to develop practical skills while working collaboratively and taking pride in their creations.
Overall, our Easter holiday programme was designed to offer a rich and varied experience for all children. By combining exciting trips, themed activities, physical challenges, and creative workshops, we aim to ensure every child feels included, engaged, and supported throughout the holidays.
For further information about Raising Explorers, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our main office. You can contact us at 01274 947 036 or email us at thornbury@raisingexplorers.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!
