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Happy Days Nursery Exeter

Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2025)
·
5.0(8 parent reviews)
·Estuary House, Peninsula Park, Exeter, EX2 7XE · Devon
Number of places
78 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2025
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

Happy Days Nursery in Exeter, situated at Peninsula Park Estate, offers a tranquil and supportive environment for children from birth to five years old. Easily accessible from the M5 and Exeter ring road, the nursery provides convenient on-site parking for families.

Dedicated to child-led learning within a calm and creative atmosphere, the facility boasts secure outdoor play areas with free-flow access, set amidst beautiful trees that promote exploration and imaginative play. The experienced team of early years practitioners prioritises building strong relationships with both children and their families, ensuring each child's individual growth and development are nurtured throughout their nursery journey.

The nursery also provides meals and snacks, and operates with an Eco Schools and Woodland Trust focus, highlighting its commitment to natural surroundings. Early drop-off options are available from 7:30 am, extending the standard 8 am to 6 pm hours.

Our ethos

Happy Days Nursery Exeter is committed to child-led learning within a calm and creative atmosphere. They have a focus on nature, with Eco Schools and Woodland Trust principles, encouraging exploration and imaginative play in their outdoor areas. The nursery values building strong relationships with children and families to nurture individual growth and development.

What it's like

Children arrive happily and immediately settle into playing at this welcoming nursery. They make good friendships with other children and enjoy spending time playing alongside them. Children develop equally warm relationships with the kind and caring staff.

Calm, Natural EnvironmentOutdoor ProvisionChild-Led LearningEco-SchoolsWoodland Trust

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday – Friday 8am to 6pm, with early drop-off at 7:30am available

Age range

0 to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Session types

Full Day (8am-6pm)

Food

Meals & Snacks

Waitlist

Unknown

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Happy Days Nursery Exeter

Last inspected 20 June 2025

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 happily and immediately settle into playing at this welcoming nursery. They make good friendships with other children and enjoy spending time playing alongside them. Children develop equally warm relationships with the kind and caring staff.

Inspector highlights

  • Children arrive happily and immediately settle into playing at this welcoming nursery.
  • Staff are knowledgeable and have a good understanding of how children learn and develop.
  • Staff promote early literacy skills and vocabulary development particularly well.
  • Staff promote children's physical development very well.
  • Leaders regularly assess the effectiveness of the nursery to help ensure children make the best possible progress.

Areas to develop

  • 1help children to consolidate their mathematical knowledge during their free play to support their understanding even further
  • 2support children more consistently to regulate their behaviour and understand the impact of their actions on others.
Inspection #10399111 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents comment how they particularly appreciate the suggestions staff give them to help support their child's learning at home.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff quickly recognise when children might need extra help and arrange for them to receive appropriate support in the nursery and from other professionals. Leaders respond well to any areas for development, such as through providing additional staff training following an audit of the support they provide to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Outdoor space

Children learn in the outdoor area, for instance, they concentrate as they use chalk to draw around their own and other's feet. Children learn the importance of wearing hats and putting on sun cream to protect them from the sun when playing outdoors.

EAL / language support

To support children who learn English as an additional language, leaders ensure staff know key words in children's home languages to aid effective communication.

Parent Reviews of Happy Days Nursery Exeter

5.0
(8)
Rebecca Johnson
2 months ago

My daughter has recently started at Happy days nursery and I couldn't be more thrilled with the experince I have received. As first time mum, I was super anxious about putting my 9 month old into setting but watching her settle, has been wonderful. To have the family app, has been amazing, I love knowing how my daughter day has gone. Our daughter is a massive foodie and it's lovely to find out what amazing meals she has been eating. Big shout to the chief! The staff's kindness, knowledge and support has been incredible. The staff in the babyroom has been amazing, my daughter is comfortable to play with all the staff in the room and has formed a lovely bond with her keyword Mel. The management team are always welcoming and has been so supportive to us as a family. While settling into nursery, my daughter developed an allergy and the nusery was very proactive in putting measures to ensure she was safe and the staff were informed. Overall I would happily recommend Happy days nursery to anyone and would like to say thank you to everyone who is part of the happydays team.

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Natasha Howe
3 months ago

My Son started at exactly 9 months old, he’s now 20 months! What a journey it has been so far, if you’re looking for a nursery that builds relationships and takes excellent care of your little ones, I 100% recommend, my son has some struggles, and hasn’t developed as quick as what is classed as normal but all the team take their time to support him, don’t pressure him and make him feel comfortable to be able to develop at his own speed. I was so so worried about leaving my child in a place I was so unfamiliar, but as we all understand work calls and we go back to normal, but I am so glad this was the nursery we chose, my son is so well looked after, he barely wants to leave when I pick him up these days! Couldn’t be happier with his progress and excited to see what the future holds for him at this nursery. Special thanks to Chloe in explorers 2 who has been his key worker, I know my son absolutely adores her! Looking forward to seeing what other bonds he makes throughout the rest of the year! Thank you to you all ❤️

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Mark Wright
2 years ago

My son has been going here now for 8 months. His development has really come a long and his confidence. There are some superb staff here, Zoe, Katie and Catlyn to name a few and they all seem to care a great deal. Good array of food, the boy loves it all. Nice to see days so well planned out and plenty of activities to occupy LOs

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Mat Wells
9 years ago

Excellent nursery. My two year old daughter has been​ attending since January and she absolutely loves it. The staff are wonderful and the environment is nurturing. I shall recommend it to anyone looking for a nursery in Exeter.

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Toni Astbury
8 years ago

An excellent nursery, my son runs through the door in the mornings and enjoys every day, we are really pleased we found this nursery and would recommend to anyone. It definitely feels like a home from home for our boy.

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Inspection history

Date: August 2014

  • June 2025Good
  • November 2019Good
  • August 2014Outstanding

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