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Busy Otters

Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2021)
·Longdogs Lane, Ottery St. Mary, EX11 1HY · Devon
Number of places
28 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2021
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

Busy Otters Preschool is a community-run facility in Ottery St Mary, serving the local area as a registered charity. Established in 1987, it recently transitioned to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

The preschool focuses on fostering a vibrant learning experience where children can develop and flourish. Their philosophy, encapsulated by the acronym THRIVE, promotes Togetherness, Holistic Learning through play, Resilience in overcoming challenges, Independence in choice-making, Voice & Curiosity for exploration, and an Environment for Growth that is safe and nurturing.

They welcome prospective families to visit and experience their dedicated approach to early years education, which prioritises individual growth and a supportive atmosphere. The preschool operates on a term-time schedule and is closed during bank holidays and school breaks.

Our ethos

T – Togetherness Where friendships blossom every day, and caring hands help guide the way. H – Holistic Learning We learn through play in all we do, growing hearts and minds anew. R – Resilience We try again when things feel tough, learning that “I can” is enough. I – Independence We choose, explore and find our voice, building confidence in every choice. V – Voice & Curiosity We wonder, question, dream and see the magic in curiosity. E – Environment for Growth A safe, warm space where all can be happy, learning, wild and free.

What it's like

Children arrive happy and settle quickly in a well-organised environment, adapting well to changes from the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff provide very good support and have developed warm, caring relationships, fostering motivation and eagerness to learn in children, who consistently show high levels of interest in their chosen activities.

Charity-runCommunity-focusedPlay-based learningValues-led approach

Pricing & funding

Charges are structured around additional hourly rates based on age. An optional consumables fee is charged per session to cover food, hygiene supplies, and enrichment activities, which parents can choose to opt out of.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
  • Additional hours for 2-year-olds£7.10 / hour
  • Additional hours for 3-4 year olds£5.50 / hour
  • Consumables fee per session£1 / session
  • Food (consumables fee breakdown)£0.25 / session
  • Non-food consumables (consumables fee breakdown)£0.25 / session

Good to know

  • Optional consumables fee covers food, hygiene items, and extra activities.
  • Parents can opt out of individual consumable charges without affecting funded places.
  • The nursery will work with parents to agree on alternatives if they opt out of consumable charges.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday-Friday 9.15am-3.15pm (term time only)

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Busy Otters

Last inspected 17 June 2021

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 arrive happy and settle quickly in a well-organised environment, adapting well to changes from the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff provide very good support and have developed warm, caring relationships, fostering motivation and eagerness to learn in children, who consistently show high levels of interest in their chosen activities.

Inspector highlights

  • Children with SEND are supported well through close collaboration with parents and professionals.
  • Staff effectively use initiatives to extend children's communication and language development, providing access to books and stories.
  • The manager and staff have high expectations for children's behaviour, promoting sharing and turn-taking.
  • Staff understand the importance of promoting children's physical development, offering outdoor opportunities for obstacle courses and community walks.
  • The manager leads her team well, with good systems in place for staff development and training.

Areas to develop

  • 1widen and extend the knowledge children have about people, families and communities outside their own
  • 2increase the focus on staff's professional development to help to raise the quality of teaching even higher.
Inspection #10190361 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents say they feel well informed, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and they can see the progress children have made within their learning and development.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress due to staff's high expectations. The staff team works closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that children receive the required support. The special educational needs coordinator ensures that strategies and advice from professionals are incorporated into children's individual educational plans and implemented to help children progress.

Outdoor space

Children freely explore the outdoor area, and staff support them to take appropriate risks, such as challenging their physical skills on the climbing frame and negotiating large tyres. Staff provide opportunities outdoors for children to plan and make an obstacle course from planks and tyres, developing their physical skills as they balance and negotiate the course.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

17 June 2021

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Busy Otters

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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