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Nurseries in Exeter

There are 55 nurseries and pre-schools on the Ofsted register in Exeter, and 29 other childcare settings such as out-of-school clubs.

Inspection grades in Exeter

  • Ofsted report cards: 12 settings (39 Strong standard, 29 Expected standard, 4 Needs attention)
  • Ofsted grades before November 2025: 36 settings (7 Outstanding, 29 Good)

Grades are shown only where the inspectorate has published the report.

Nurseries and pre-schools

  • Acorns Day Nursery - Day nursery, Exeter EX2 8HN, ages 0 to 4, 82 places
    Ofsted, 9 July 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Adventurers - Day nursery, Exeter EX4 6HA, ages 1 to 4, 66 places
    Ofsted report card, 27 May 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Clyst Valley Pre-School - Day nursery, Exeter EX5 1BG, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
    Ofsted, 7 December 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Discovery Nursery - Day nursery, Exeter EX1 2ND, ages 0 to 4, 85 places
    Ofsted, 5 December 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Doddiscombsleigh Pre School - Pre-school, Exeter EX6 7PR, ages 2 to 4, 16 places
    Ofsted, 30 January 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Duchy Preschool And Playgroup - Pre-school, Exeter EX5 4NL, ages 2 to 10, 30 places
    Ofsted, 24 April 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Echoes Childcare - Day nursery, Exeter EX5 3AS, ages 0 to 4, 96 places
    Ofsted, 17 July 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Echoes Childcare Limited - Day nursery, Exeter EX5 1FY, ages 0 to 4, 60 places
    Ofsted report card, 20 May 2026: Expected standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Exminster Pre-school - Day nursery, Exeter EX6 8BG, ages 2 to 4, 45 places
    Ofsted, 28 March 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • First Steps Community Playgroup - Day nursery, Exeter EX4 7DB, ages 2 to 4, 33 places
    Ofsted, 25 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • First Steps NHS Nursery - Day nursery, Exeter EX2 5DW, ages 0 to 4, 105 places
    Ofsted, 7 August 2025: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Football Fun Camp Exeter - Pre-school, Exeter EX2 6AP
  • Happy Days Nursery Exeter - Day nursery, Exeter EX2 7XE, ages 0 to 4, 78 places
    Ofsted, 20 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Jurassic Childcare (Exminster) - Day nursery, Exeter EX6 8AT, 48 places
  • Kiddi Caru Nursery - Day nursery, Exeter EX2 8LB, ages 0 to 5, 114 places
    Ofsted, 20 August 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Kiddi Caru Nursery - Day nursery, Exeter EX1 3QS, ages 0 to 4, 132 places
    Ofsted report card, 27 May 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Kip McGrath Exeter East - Pre-school, Exeter EX1 2QN
  • Little Ducklings Rockbeare - Pre-school, Exeter EX5 2LP, ages 0 to 3, 30 places
    Ofsted, 24 May 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Little Explorers Day Nursery - Day nursery, Exeter EX5 5EU, ages 0 to 4, 30 places
    Ofsted report card, 12 March 2026: Strong standard in 2 areas, Expected standard in 4 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Little Ones - Budlake - Day nursery, Exeter EX5 3JW, ages 0 to 4, 29 places
    Ofsted report card, 28 August 2026: Strong standard in 2 areas, Expected standard in 4 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Little Ones Whipton - Day nursery, Exeter EX4 8AF, ages 0 to 4, 36 places
    Ofsted, 25 January 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Little Pearls Nursery Limited - Day nursery, Exeter EX2 5AZ, ages 0 to 4, 77 places
    Ofsted, 21 August 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Littlesaints Preschool - Day nursery, Exeter EX2 9AF, ages 2 to 4, 16 places
    Ofsted, 13 December 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Little Stars Nursery - Pre-school, Exeter EX4 1JE, ages 1 to 4, 18 places
    Ofsted report card, 18 May 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Ludwell Valley Centre - Pre-school, Exeter EX2 5LU, ages 2 to 4, 28 places
    Ofsted report card, 8 June 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Muddy Boots Childcare - Day nursery, Exeter EX5 5AY, ages 0 to 5, 20 places
    Ofsted report card, 21 January 2026: Strong standard in 1 area, Expected standard in 5 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Muddy Boots Pinhoe - Day nursery, Exeter EX4 8JU, ages 0 to 4, 60 places
    Ofsted, 6 August 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Munchkins Day Nursery - Day nursery, Exeter EX2 4EW, ages 0 to 5, 39 places
    Ofsted, 2 December 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • My Ohana IKEA Exeter - Pre-school, Exeter EX2 7RX
  • Nanny Bears - Day nursery, Exeter EX2 5ED, ages 1 to 3, 40 places
    Ofsted report card, 8 May 2026: Strong standard in 2 areas, Expected standard in 4 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Nanny Bears Childcare - Day nursery, Exeter EX2 5JN, ages 2 to 4, 28 places
    Ofsted, 23 January 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Nanny Bears Childcare - Day nursery, Exeter EX5 2JU, ages 0 to 4, 43 places
    Ofsted, 15 August 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Nanny Bears Childcare - Day nursery, Exeter EX5 3EE, ages 0 to 2, 10 places
    Ofsted, 25 November 2021: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Nanny Bears Childcare Ltd - Day nursery, Exeter EX5 2QR, ages 0 to 3, 14 places
    Ofsted, 21 May 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Nanny Bears The Cottage - Day nursery, Exeter EX1 2QJ, ages 1 to 4, 32 places
    Ofsted report card, 7 July 2026: Strong standard in 2 areas, Expected standard in 4 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Newtown Community Preschool - Pre-school, Exeter EX1 2BP, ages 2 to 4, 23 places
    Ofsted, 24 February 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Puffins at Clystheath - Day nursery, Exeter EX2 7EY, ages 0 to 4, 60 places
    Ofsted, 9 August 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Puffins at Manston Terrace - Day nursery, Exeter EX2 4NP, ages 0 to 7, 58 places
    Ofsted, 24 September 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Puffins At Sowton - Day nursery, Exeter EX2 7LL, ages 0 to 4, 36 places
    Ofsted, 30 June 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Puffins in the City - Day nursery, Exeter EX1 1BB, ages 1 to 4, 54 places
    Ofsted report card, 6 July 2026: Expected standard in 2 areas, Needs attention in 4 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Puffins Nursery - Day nursery, Exeter EX1 2PD, ages 1 to 4, 40 places
    Ofsted, 27 September 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Sara's School - Day nursery, Exeter EX6 6DZ, ages 0 to 11, 21 places
    Ofsted, 31 January 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Spring Cedars - Day nursery, Exeter EX4 8LD, ages 0 to 4, 46 places
    Ofsted, 12 February 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Stagecoach Exeter Theatre School - Pre-school, Exeter EX2 6AP
  • St David's Hill Playgroup - Day nursery, Exeter EX4 4BP, ages 0 to 4, 24 places
    Ofsted, 14 October 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Stoke Hill Pre-School and Day Nursery - Day nursery, Exeter EX4 7DS, ages 1 to 4, 28 places
    Ofsted, 20 June 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • The Ark at Thomas Hall - Day nursery, Exeter EX4 5AD, ages 2 to 15, 20 places
    Ofsted, 15 May 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • The Exwick Ark - Day nursery, Exeter EX4 2AT, ages 0 to 4, 52 places
    Ofsted, 31 October 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • The Grosvenor Day Nursery Ltd - Day nursery, Exeter EX1 2HJ, ages 0 to 4, 36 places
    Ofsted, 25 March 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • The Nursery at Newbery House - Day nursery, Exeter EX5 2UL, 40 places
  • Tic Tocs Day Nursery - Day nursery, Exeter EX4 4DZ, ages 0 to 4, 52 places
    Ofsted, 28 November 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Tops Exeter - Day nursery, Exeter EX4 4PL, ages 0 to 4, 104 places
    Ofsted, 11 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • West Exe Football & Holiday Clubs Partnership - Pre-school, Exeter EX2 9DY
  • Whimple Preschool Playgroup - Day nursery, Exeter EX5 2TS, ages 2 to 4, 24 places
    Ofsted, 24 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Wildlings Forest Kindergarten - Day nursery, Exeter EX7 0QE, ages 2 to 4, 16 places
    Ofsted report card, 5 December 2025: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met

Out-of-school clubs and other childcare

  • Cygnet Theatre - Theatretrain Summer School - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX2 4AZ
  • FISH CEC - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX5 7EE, 24 places
  • F.I.S.H Ladysmith Infant School - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX1 2PS, 32 places
  • FISH @ Matford Brook - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX2 0BZ, 12 places
  • Fish Montgomery - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX4 1BS, 32 places
  • FISH Younghayes - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX5 7DR, 32 places
  • Foxhayes Playclub - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX4 2FB, 60 places
  • Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre - Childcare setting, Exeter EX2 8DP
  • Laser Adventure Holidays Limited - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX2 4NS, 120 places
  • Player Ready Exeter - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX2 8QA
  • Premier Camps @ CEC - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX5 7EE, 40 places
  • Premier Camps @ St Thomas - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX2 9BB, 30 places
  • Premier Wraparound Care at Pinhoe C of E Primary School - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX4 8PE, 60 places
  • Premier Wraparound @ CSM - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX5 1BG, 72 places
  • Premier Wraparound @ Newtown - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX1 2BP, 13 places
  • Premier Wraparound @ St Gabriel's - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX4 2BY, 11 places
  • Premier Wraparound @ St Michael's - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX1 2SN, 110 places
  • Premier Wraparound @ Stoke Canon - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX5 4AS, 11 places
  • Premier Wraparound @ St Sidwell's - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX4 6PG, 60 places
  • Primary Sports Breakfast Club - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX6 8QD
  • Primary Sports & Education Limited - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX5 1EA, 45 places
  • Puffins Holiday Club - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX2 4NQ
  • Sporty Stars - St Luke's Campus - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX1 2LU
  • The Big Step - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX5 7EE
  • The Big Step - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX5 3AJ
  • The Hollow Lane Club Exeter - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX1 3RW, 25 places
  • West Exe School - Theatretrain - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX2 9JU
  • Wraparound @ Lady Seaward's - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX3 0RE, 6 places
  • Wraparound @ Whipton Barton - Out-of-school club, Exeter EX1 3JP, 60 places

Nursery groups with settings here

Ofsted report cards (England, from November 2025)

Since 10 November 2025 Ofsted has graded nurseries and pre-schools on a report card. There is no single overall grade. Instead, each of six areas gets one of five grades: Exceptional, Strong standard, Expected standard, Needs attention, Urgent improvement.

The six areas are inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children's welfare and wellbeing; leadership and governance. Safeguarding is judged on its own, as met or not met.

Expected standard means the setting does what Ofsted expects of every setting. Strong standard and Exceptional are above that; Needs attention and Urgent improvement mean Ofsted found things the setting has to put right.

Source: Ofsted reports

Ofsted grades before November 2025 (England)

Inspections before November 2025 gave one overall grade on a four-point scale: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement, Inadequate. Ofsted also graded the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, and said whether safeguarding was effective.

Settings keep their last grade until Ofsted visits again, so many nurseries still show a grade from this older scale.

Source: Ofsted reports

Funded childcare hours in England

All 3 and 4 year olds in England can get 15 hours of free childcare a week, for 38 weeks of the year.

Working parents of children aged 9 months to 4 years old can get 30 hours of free childcare a week for 38 weeks of the year (Free Childcare for Working Parents), if they meet the earnings rules. You confirm your details every 3 months.

Some 2 year olds can get 15 hours a week when the family gets certain kinds of extra support.

The hours are used at a registered provider that offers them, so ask each nursery how it offers the funded hours.

Source: GOV.UK: Free Childcare for Working Parents, check if you're eligible · GOV.UK: Free childcare and education for 2 to 4 year olds (checked 31 October 2026)

Council area

Schools in Exeter

Sources: Ofsted, registers as at 30 June 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.