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Discovery Nursery in Exeter

Ofsted: Good
(Dec 2024)
·
4.8(5 parent reviews) ·97 Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2ND · Devon
Number of places
85 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2024
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

Discovery Nursery, established in 2013 and located on Heavitree Road in Exeter, is part of a larger nursery group. The facility is well-equipped with four main rooms across two floors, a dedicated dining area, and three gardens, including a distinctive forest school space.

Catering to children aged 3 months to 5 years, the nursery operates Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 6 pm. The team at Discovery Nursery is committed to providing high-quality care and education, aiming to give children in Exeter the best possible start in life.

The management team, led by Maddie Smale and supported by Deputy Manager Angela Kerswell, ensures that all four rooms are staffed by experienced professionals, meeting Ofsted's qualification requirements. The nursery places a strong emphasis on outdoor education, encouraging learning through creative and critical thinking in its forest school area.

A nursery cook prepares balanced and nutritious meals daily using fresh produce. The nursery also actively supports staff training and development to maintain its high standards.

Our ethos

Discovery Nursery fully embraces outdoor education and encourage children to be creative and critical thinkers. We are lucky to have a forest school area in which the children can get creative whilst making mud pies, learn new things, take appropriate risks and explore nature and the world around them. Maddie is passionate about encouraging children to be unique, to be creative and to use their imaginations.

What it's like

Staff effectively welcome children and families, using parent updates to provide appropriate care and support, such as with potty training. The key-person system ensures continuity in learning as staff communicate well and know children thoroughly. Children benefit from a curriculum focused on building key skills for their next stages, including school, with staff setting high expectations for behaviour and skillfully teaching emotional regulation and conflict resolution.

Forest SchoolExperienced staffNutritious meals

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured around full day, morning, and afternoon sessions, with rates effective from April 2025. Funded hours are delivered on a stretched basis all year round. Fee-paying sessions include all consumables, whereas funded sessions incur a consumable charge. Wrap-around options are also available.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • Funded sessions are based on a stretched model and offered all year round.
  • Consumable charges apply to funded sessions for meals, snacks, drinks, and nappies.
  • Standard fee-paying sessions include all consumables.
  • Wrap-around care and early drop-off/late pickup fees vary depending on age and time.

Key facts

Food

Meals, snacks, and drinks provided by nursery cook

Opening hours

07:30 - 18:00, Monday to Friday

Age range

3 months – 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Discovery Nursery

Last inspected 5 December 2024

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Staff effectively welcome children and families, using parent updates to provide appropriate care and support, such as with potty training. The key-person system ensures continuity in learning as staff communicate well and know children thoroughly. Children benefit from a curriculum focused on building key skills for their next stages, including school, with staff setting high expectations for behaviour and skillfully teaching emotional regulation and conflict resolution.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff regularly observe children, monitor progress, quickly identify gaps in learning, and work with outside agencies to provide targeted interventions.
  • Staff provide opportunities for children to build an understanding of how to keep themselves healthy, including lessons on healthy eating, cooking, and hygiene.
  • Staff promote children's physical development by supporting both large and small muscle skills, from babies learning to hold spoons to older children navigating obstacle courses and developing hand strength for writing.
  • Staff celebrate the cultures and languages of children, using simple words in home languages to build a positive sense of self and respect for diversity.
  • Staff place a high priority on building children's communication and language skills, teaching babies simple signs and using a variety of words and questions to encourage speaking skills in toddlers and pre-school children.

Areas to develop

  • 1improve consistency of teaching across the nursery so that all children benefit from more good quality interactions that target what they need to learn next
  • 2develop the organisation and planning for babies so they are able to follow their own interests and remain engaged in purposeful learning at all times.
Inspection #10367865 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff regularly observe children and monitor their progress, quickly identifying gaps in their learning. They share this information with parents and work with outside agencies to ensure relevant interventions are put in place, benefiting children through targeted support that closes gaps and promotes their progress.

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. However, in the baby room, babies have to stay outside playing for the designated time even when they are not enjoying their play and try to come inside.

Parent Reviews of Discovery Nursery

4.8
(5)
Emily Ashplant
3 years ago

I have used Discovery nursery for 7 years! It has a lovely and homely feel to it. My 2 children have attended and thrived there. The staff are very friendly and have been great, especially with my daughter who has needed extra input and support. I’ve always had good communication with them and they have deal with any issues/queries quickly. I always recommend discovery to my friends

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Abi
3 years ago

My 2.5 year old son had only just started at Discovery Nursery & so far I only have great things to say about all of the staff. Despite my little boy finding settling into nursery life quite hard the staff (& children!) seem so patient and caring with him & I’m certain in time he is going to thrive and really enjoy his time there. Communication has been absolutely excellent. Thank you so much to all the staff in the Adventurers Room.

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erica viner
4 years ago

My daughter has been going here for the last year and love it. They provide such great care and make such an effort to introduce new and interesting subjects to the children. Great staff, great forest school. Really happy with their service

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Discovery Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

5 December 2024

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 Discovery Nursery

About the setting

Discovery Nursery registered under the current registration in 2022. It is situated in Exeter, Devon and is one of five nurseries owned by Devon Nurseries Ltd. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. There are 23 members of staff, with varying qualifications from level 2 to level 6. The nursery offers government funded childcare.

URN
2688810
Registered person
Devon Nurseries Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises

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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