Best nurseries in Exeter
38 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, best Ofsted result first: the latest report card or overall grade, then the most recent inspection. Childminders are not listed (Ofsted does not publish their addresses).
| # | Nursery | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Steps NHS Nursery Full day care · 129 places · EX2 5DW | Outstanding (2025) |
| 2 | The Ark at Thomas Hall Full day care · 20 places · EX4 5AD | Outstanding (2023) |
| 3 | Littlesaints Preschool Full day care · 16 places · EX2 9AF | Outstanding (2022) |
| 4 | St David's Hill Playgroup Full day care · 24 places · EX4 4BP | Outstanding (2022) |
| 5 | Puffins At Sowton Full day care · 36 places · EX2 7LL | Outstanding (2022) |
| 6 | Stoke Hill Pre-School and Day Nursery Full day care · 28 places · EX4 7DS | Outstanding (2022) |
| 7 | Little Pearls Nursery Limited Full day care · 77 places · EX2 5AZ | Good (2025) |
| 8 | Muddy Boots Pinhoe Full day care · 60 places · EX4 8JU | Good (2025) |
| 9 | Acorns Day Nursery Full day care · 82 places · EX2 8HN | Good (2025) |
| 10 | First Steps Community Playgroup Full day care · 33 places · EX4 7DB | Good (2025) |
| 11 | Happy Days Nursery Exeter Full day care · 78 places · EX2 7XE | Good (2025) |
| 12 | Tops Exeter Full day care · 104 places · EX4 4PL | Good (2025) |
| 13 | The Grosvenor Day Nursery Ltd Full day care · 36 places · EX1 2HJ | Good (2025) |
| 14 | Newtown Community Preschool Sessional day care · 23 places · EX1 2BP | Good (2025) |
| 15 | Nanny Bears Childcare Full day care · 28 places · EX2 5JN | Good (2025) |
| 16 | Discovery Nursery Full day care · 85 places · EX1 2ND | Good (2024) |
| 17 | Munchkins Day Nursery Full day care · 39 places · EX2 4EW | Good (2024) |
| 18 | Tic Tocs Day Nursery Full day care · 52 places · EX4 4DZ | Good (2024) |
| 19 | The Exwick Ark Full day care · 52 places · EX4 2AT | Good (2024) |
| 20 | Puffins at Manston Terrace Full day care · 58 places · EX2 4NP | Good (2024) |
| 21 | Spring Cedars Full day care · 46 places · EX4 8LD | Good (2024) |
| 22 | Little Ones Whipton Full day care · 36 places · EX4 8AF | Good (2024) |
| 23 | Kiddi Caru Nursery Full day care · 132 places · EX1 3QS | Good (2023) |
| 24 | Puffins Nursery Full day care · 40 places · EX1 2PD | Good (2022) |
| 25 | Puffins at Clystheath Full day care · 60 places · EX2 7EY | Good (2022) |
| 26 | Kiddi Caru Nursery Full day care · 114 places · EX2 8LB | Good (2021) |
| 27 | Ludwell Valley Centre Sessional day care · 28 places · EX2 5LU | Requires improvement (2025) |
| 28 | Adventurers Full day care · 66 places · EX4 6HA | Not yet inspected |
| 29 | Football Fun Camp Exeter Sessional day care · EX2 6AP | Not yet inspected |
| 30 | Kip McGrath Exeter East Sessional day care · EX1 2QN | Not yet inspected |
| 31 | Little Stars Nursery Sessional day care · 18 places · EX4 1JE | Not yet inspected |
| 32 | My Ohana IKEA Exeter Sessional day care · EX2 7RX | Not yet inspected |
| 33 | Nanny Bears Full day care · 37 places · EX2 5ED | Not yet inspected |
| 34 | Nanny Bears The Cottage Full day care · 32 places · EX1 2QJ | Not yet inspected |
| 35 | Puffins in the City Full day care · 54 places · EX1 1BB | Not yet inspected |
| 36 | Sporty Stars - Clyst Heath Primary School Sessional day care · EX2 7QT | Not yet inspected |
| 37 | Stagecoach Exeter Theatre School Sessional day care · EX2 6AP | Not yet inspected |
| 38 | West Exe Football & Holiday Clubs Partnership Sessional day care · EX2 9DY | Not yet inspected |
How much does nursery cost in Exeter?
Typical weekly nursery prices for a child under two in South West, from the Coram Childcare Survey 2026. A guide only: ask each nursery for its own fees.
Working parents in England can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from when their child is 9 months old, so a 25-hour place can cost little or nothing in term time. Every 3 and 4 year old gets at least 15 funded hours. Funded hours cover 38 weeks a year; nurseries can charge for extra hours, meals and activities. Check what you can get at Childcare Choices.
Questions
What are the best nurseries in Exeter?
Of 38 nurseries and pre-schools in Exeter, 6 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: First Steps NHS Nursery, The Ark at Thomas Hall, Littlesaints Preschool.
How much does nursery cost in Exeter?
In South West, a part-time place (25 hours a week) for a child under two typically costs £181 a week without funded hours (Coram Childcare Survey 2026). Working parents can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from 9 months.
How many nurseries are there in Exeter?
38 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 27 of them inspected so far.
Nurseries nearby
Neighbourhoods
Alphington & Marsh Barton · Central Exeter · Exwick & Foxhayes · Heavitree East & Whipton South · Heavitree West & Polsloe · Middlemoor & Sowton · Mincinglake & Beacon Heath · Pennsylvania & University · Pinhoe & Whipton North · St James's Park & Hoopern · St Leonard's · St Thomas East · St Thomas West · Wonford & St Loye's
Source: Ofsted early years inspections. Ofsted's report card (from November 2025) grades curriculum, achievement, behaviour, children's welfare and leadership as exceptional, strong, expected, needs attention or urgent improvement; earlier inspections gave one overall grade.