--- title: "First Steps NHS Nursery — Rated Outstanding by Ofsted" description: "First Steps NHS Nursery in Exeter — Rated Outstanding 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 value how staff recognise individual needs and help children make strong progress, with families describing children as moving on in leaps and bounds." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the opening hours at First Steps NHS Nursery?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The nursery is open from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. It operates all year rather than only during term time." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is First Steps NHS Nursery a day nursery or preschool?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It is classed as childcare on non-domestic premises and provides full day care. The setting serves children from birth to age four." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does First Steps NHS Nursery support children with SEND?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Children with complex medical and learning needs are supported through individualised learning packs, close attention from staff, and coordinated work with a wide range of professionals. This helps ensure care and learning are matched carefully to each child’s needs." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![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. First Steps NHS Nursery # First Steps NHS Nursery Compare Contact Nursery Ofsted: Outstanding (Aug 2025) · Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, Exeter, EX2 5DW · Devon Number of places 129 places Age range 0–4 yrs Last inspected Aug 2025 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 The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust serves as a primary healthcare provider in Devon, offering a comprehensive array of medical services to its community. The Trust is deeply committed to fostering an environment of equality, diversity, and inclusion for both its staff and patients, underpinning its operational strategy and core values. It places a strong emphasis on patient and visitor experience, offering extensive support ranging from accessibility services and bereavement support to chaplaincy and specialised care for children, young people, and individuals with dementia. The Trust is also actively involved in research and innovation, striving to enhance healthcare delivery and explore digital advancements within the medical field. Furthermore, it manages multiple hospital sites, including the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford) and North Devon District Hospital, alongside various wards, ensuring broad access to care across the region. With a robust careers section, the Trust actively seeks to recruit and develop healthcare professionals across numerous disciplines, reflecting its dedication to maintaining a high-quality workforce. What it's like Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this exceptional nursery, developing close friendships and engaging in stimulating experiences provided by staff. They delight in playing together in exciting outdoor areas, demonstrating excellent collaborative work and concentration during activities like messy play. Staff establish an enabling environment, supporting children's understanding and problem-solving skills from a young age. ## Pricing & funding Pricing on request This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability. [Request pricing →](https://www.royaldevon.nhs.uk/news/the-royal-devon-university-healthcare-nhs-foundation-trust-celebrates-volunteers-week) ## Key facts Opening hours 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday Term time / All Year All Year Ofsted Inspection ## Ofsted rating for First Steps NHS Nursery Last inspected 7 August 2025 · Leanne Edge Safeguarding effective Overall effectiveness Outstanding Quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding What it's like to attend Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this exceptional nursery, developing close friendships and engaging in stimulating experiences provided by staff. They delight in playing together in exciting outdoor areas, demonstrating excellent collaborative work and concentration during activities like messy play. Staff establish an enabling environment, supporting children's understanding and problem-solving skills from a young age. Inspector highlights - Leaders are passionate about providing children with the best possible outcomes as part of a highly ambitious curriculum. - Staff's interactions with children are consistently of a high quality, with a highly successful programme of monitoring staff's practice. - Staff provide children with an exceptional level of personalised support and care, particularly for those with complex medical and learning needs. - Staff provide a highly inclusive environment, celebrating diversity and supporting children in learning about people and communities beyond their own. - Children demonstrate an excellent level of independent skills for their age, such as washing their own plates after lunch. Inspection #10414849 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50286628) ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of First Steps NHS Nursery Inspection date Aug 2025 Inspection no. 10414849 Lead inspector Leanne Edge Safeguarding arrangements are effective [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50286628)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY407433) 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.royaldevon.nhs.uk) Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, Exeter, EX2 5DW [© 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#/-3.50669/50.71669/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Exeter - [Day nurseries in Exeter](/search?q=Exeter) - [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=first-steps-nhs-nursery-ex2-5dw-ey407433) ## What parents say Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection > Parents speak very highly of nursery staff. They report how staff 'embrace' their child's needs and allow them to come on in 'leaps and bounds'. Inclusion & environment ## How they support every child SEND provision Children with complex medical and learning needs are incredibly well supported by staff. For example, they provide individualised learning packs for children who are absent from the nursery for extended periods due to medical needs. Staff work in partnership with a vast number of other professionals to ensure children get the right care for them at the right time. Outdoor space Children develop close friendships and have great fun playing together in the exciting outdoor areas. The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. Inspection history Date: February 2011 - August 2025 Outstanding - November 2022 Outstanding - January 2017 Outstanding - March 2014 Good - November 2013 Good - February 2011 Outstanding ## Frequently asked about First Steps NHS Nursery ### What do parents say about First Steps NHS Nursery? ### What are the opening hours at First Steps NHS Nursery? ### Is First Steps NHS Nursery a day nursery or preschool? ### How does First Steps NHS Nursery support children with SEND? ## Nearby day nurseries in Exeter Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to First Steps NHS Nursery. - [ Ofsted: Good 0.3 mi ### Nanny Bears Childcare Exeter · EX2 5JN 5.0(6 reviews) ](/nursery/nanny-bears-childcare-ex2-5jn-ey558125) - [ Awaiting first inspection 0.3 mi ### Nanny Bears Exeter · EX2 5ED ](/nursery/nanny-bears-ex2-5ed-2765655) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.3 mi ### Puffins at Manston Terrace Exeter · EX2 4NP 5.0(20 reviews) ](/nursery/puffins-at-manston-terrace-ex2-4np-ey300245) - [ Awaiting first inspection 0.4 mi ### Nanny Bears The Cottage Exeter · EX1 2QJ ](/nursery/nanny-bears-the-cottage-ex1-2qj-2830179) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.5 mi ### Discovery Nursery Exeter · EX1 2ND 4.8(5 reviews) ](/nursery/discovery-nursery-ex1-2nd-2688810) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.5 mi ### Puffins Nursery Exeter · EX1 2PD 5.0(14 reviews) ](/nursery/puffins-nursery-ex1-2pd-ey300251) [See all nurseries in Exeter →](/search?q=Exeter) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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