Collaton St Mary Pre-School Paignton

About this day nursery

Collaton St Mary Pre-School, situated in the semi-rural outskirts of Paignton, Devon, operates from the Parish Rooms building in Collaton St Mary village. Established in 1989 and re-established as a CIO in April 2016, the pre-school has expanded its capacity to address the growing need for high-quality childcare in the vicinity.

It accommodates up to thirty children, offering sessional and full-day care for those aged two until they transition to school. The pre-school is overseen by a dedicated team of experienced and well-trained staff, all of whom have undergone Criminal Records Bureau checks.

Registered and inspected by OFSTED, it also collaborates with the Torbay Early Years Advisory Group and is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance. The pre-school's core mission is to provide children with opportunities to broaden their experiences through play, adhering to the guidelines of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and ensuring they are well-prepared for their progression to school.

The pre-school is managed by a board of Trustees who offer comprehensive support to the staff. It aims to be accessible to all families within the local community, with a waiting list managed through a registration of interest form available to prospective parents.

While the majority of children move on to Collaton St Mary Primary School, the pre-school also serves other schools in the Torbay area.

Our ethos

The pre-school's core mission is to provide children with opportunities to broaden their experiences through play, adhering to the guidelines of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and ensuring they are well-prepared for their progression to school.

What it's like

Children are eager to enter this welcoming and safe pre-school. Friendly staff welcome them individually, and children settle quickly and engage in a variety of stimulating activities set out by staff. Staff plan and implement their curriculum well to ensure that children make good progress from their starting points, from learning about the weather and temperature, to identifying shapes in their environment.

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged at a flat hourly rate for both two-year-olds and three-to-four-year-olds. Charges apply to regular morning, lunch, and afternoon sessions, alongside optional early and late extensions. Fees include breakfast during early sessions, while parents must provide a packed lunch for the midday session.