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Acorns Day Nursery in Exeter

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2025)
·
4.4(11 parent reviews) ·36 Alphington Road, EXETER, EX2 8HN · Devon
Number of places
82 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2025
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

Acorns Nursery, located on Alphington Road in Exeter, opened in 1996 and joined the Devon Nurseries group in 2006. The nursery provides a welcoming, 'home-from-home' atmosphere where children aged 3 months to 5 years can learn and develop.

Spanning two floors, it features four main rooms for children, a dedicated dining area, and three spacious gardens, offering ample space for various activities and exploration. Acorns Nursery is dedicated to providing high-quality education and childcare, striving to give children in Exeter an optimal start in life.

The nursery prides itself on its experienced and passionate staff team, led by Amanda Turner, the nursery manager, and her deputy, Chloe Matthews. The team ensures that all rooms are managed by qualified staff, adhering to or exceeding Ofsted's requirements.

Additionally, a dedicated nursery cook prepares balanced and nutritious meals daily using fresh produce. The nursery operates from 7:45 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

What it's like

Children enjoy coming to this warm and friendly nursery. They settle quickly and are familiar with the daily routines. Children form strong attachments with staff and develop good social skills.

Home-from-home environmentExperienced and qualified staffNutritious meals prepared on-siteExtensive gardens

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured around full day, morning, and afternoon sessions, which include consumables. Funded sessions are subject to a consumables charge to cover meals, snacks, drinks, and nappies. Wrap-around care pricing varies based on the child's age.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Consumables charge applies per funded session, covering meals, snacks, drinks, and nappies.
  • Fee-paying sessions include all consumables.
  • Wrap-around care prices vary by age band.

Key facts

Opening hours

07:45 - 18:00, Monday to Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Session types

Full Day, Morning session, Afternoon session, Breakfast club, Early drop off, Late pick up

Food

Meals, snacks, and drinks provided by a nursery cook, with consumable charges applying for funded sessions.

Age range

3 months – 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Acorns Day Nursery

Last inspected 9 July 2025

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children enjoy coming to this warm and friendly nursery. They settle quickly and are familiar with the daily routines. Children form strong attachments with staff and develop good social skills.

Inspector highlights

  • Since the last inspection, leaders and staff have worked hard to make improvements.
  • Staff understand how children learn and assess children accurately to identify children's next steps.
  • Staff model language well for children and teach them new words to extend their vocabulary.
  • Leaders and staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe.
  • Staff report high morale and enjoy working at the nursery.

Areas to develop

  • 1develop staff's interactions with children to provide children with more encouragement and time to think about and share their thoughts and ideas
  • 2support children to understand the reasons for the nursery's rules and the potential consequences of their behaviour and actions.
Inspection #10388042 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Key persons know the children well and plan ahead to meet their individual needs. For children who find transitions in the daily routines difficult, staff reassure them, talk to them about their feelings and then distract them successfully.

Outdoor space

The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.

Parent Reviews of Acorns Day Nursery

4.4
(11)
F O'H
4 years ago

My son has been really happy at Acorns, he's so excited to go in every morning. His key worker has really helped with his eating and the staff work so hard to come up with creative ways to teach the Early Years curriculum through play and crafts. The pre-school room is really well organised and staff are quick to respond to any questions on the Family app. All the staff are kind and patient and I can tell my son is very comfortable with them. I have nothing bad to say. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to recommend the nursery to friends and family.

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Stephanie Whyatt
3 years ago

My daughter started attending the nursery in February 2023 and I am so pleased we chose for her to go here. Her development has come on leaps and bounds and despite a slightly unsettled start all the staff have been amazing in encouraging her to come out of her shell and she loves spending her days in the snug. Would 100% recommend!

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Jennifer Sutton
3 years ago

Phenomenal nursery. Was so daunting dropping our little one off somewhere unknown but she has come on leaps and bounds under their care. She has grown in confidence and is super excited to go each morning (sometimes it's the only thing that can convince her to put her nappy on 🙄) We are so pleased with her progress and completely reassured that she's in the best place, with the best people who have her best interest at heart. Very grateful to all the team ♥️

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Courtney Bater
3 years ago

Acorns is, and always has been an exceptional Nursery. As a previous member of staff, and currently a parent with a child in Acorns, I am happy that my daughter is always looked after to the highest of standards. From the delicious variety of meals, to the activities provided and caring staff, Acorns is a home from home and I would recommend to anyone looking for a setting which genuinely cares 😊

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Alexandra Marsh
3 years ago

Amazing nursery. Both my children have attended and they have both flourished. The help and support offered by the staff has been invaluable. I cannot recommend them enough. My children both love it there.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Acorns Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2025

Date: January 2025

  • July 2025Good
  • January 2025Requires improvement

Frequently asked about Acorns Day Nursery

About the setting

Acorns Day Nursery registered in 2022. It is located in Alphington, Exeter. It is open Monday to Friday, 7.45am to 6pm, all year round. It is part of a Devon-based group of nurseries. There are 26 members of staff, 6 of whom hold a relevant level 2 qualification and 10 of whom hold a level 3 qualification or above. The nursery provides government funded places.

URN
2688812
Registered person
Devon Nurseries Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Requires improvement

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Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Acorns Day Nursery.

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more