--- title: "Busy Otters — Rated Good by Ofsted | Nursery Advice" description: "Busy Otters, a nursery in Ottery St. Mary — Rated Good by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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They also extend communication and language through books and stories, and they set clear expectations for behaviour, helping children share and take turns." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Busy Otters have an Ofsted rating?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Good, awarded on 17/06/2021." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What do parents value about Busy Otters?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Parents say they feel well informed, including during the COVID-19 period, and they value seeing the progress children make in learning and development." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Busy Otters support children with SEND?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The nursery works closely with parents and other professionals so that support matches each child’s needs. The special educational needs coordinator brings professional advice into individual education plans, and staff use those strategies consistently to help children make progress." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which funded hours does Busy Otters accept?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Busy Otters accepts 15 hours universal funding for 3 and 4 year olds, and 30 hours funding for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How can Busy Otters be contacted?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Website: https://www.busyotters.co.uk" } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [South West](/search?region=South+West) 4. Busy Otters # Busy Otters Compare Contact Nursery 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 - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## 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-run Community-focused Play-based learning Values-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 See 1 more 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. ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Busy Otters Inspection date Jun 2021 Inspection no. 10190361 Safeguarding arrangements are effective [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50166481)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY560108) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Phone not yet listed [ Visit website ](https://www.busyotters.co.uk) Longdogs Lane, Ottery St. Mary, EX11 1HY [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/-3.27149/50.75024/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Ottery St. Mary - [Day nurseries in Ottery St. Mary](/search?q=Ottery+St.+Mary) - [Day nurseries in South West](/search?q=South+West) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=busy-otters-ex11-1hy-ey560108) ## 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 - 1 widen and extend the knowledge children have about people, families and communities outside their own - 2 increase the focus on staff's professional development to help to raise the quality of teaching even higher. Inspection #10190361 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50166481) ## 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](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50166481) ## Frequently asked about Busy Otters ### From what age does Busy Otters accept children? ### What strengths stand out at Busy Otters? ### Does Busy Otters have an Ofsted rating? ### What do parents value about Busy Otters? ### How does Busy Otters support children with SEND? ### Which funded hours does Busy Otters accept? ### How can Busy Otters be contacted? ## Nearby day nurseries in Ottery St. Mary Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Busy Otters. - [ Ofsted: Good 0.8 mi ### Ottertots Day Care Nursery Ottery St. Mary · EX11 1QH ](/nursery/ottertots-day-care-nursery-ex11-1qh-ey358746) - [ Ofsted: Good 2.0 mi ### Little Farmers @ Cuckoo Down Farm West Hill · EX11 1UE 4.9(86 reviews) ](/nursery/little-farmers-cuckoo-down-farm-ex11-1ue-2789687) - [ Ofsted: Good 3.0 mi ### Nanny Bears Childcare Exeter · EX5 2QR ](/nursery/nanny-bears-childcare-ltd-ex5-2qr-2662318) - [ Ofsted: Good 3.3 mi ### Apple Blossom Day Nursery Whimple Exeter · EX5 2PT ](/nursery/apple-blossom-day-nursery-ltd-ex5-2pt-2761618) - [ Ofsted: Good 3.9 mi ### Whimple Preschool Playgroup Exeter · EX5 2TS ](/nursery/whimple-preschool-playgroup-ex5-2ts-106065) - [ Ofsted: Good 4.2 mi ### Sunny Days Honiton Honiton · EX14 1DB 5.0(5 reviews) ](/nursery/sunny-days-honiton-ex14-1db-2685050) [See all nurseries in Ottery St. Mary →](/search?q=Ottery+St.+Mary) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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