---
title: "Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School) — Rated Good by Ofsted"
description: "Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School), a nursery in Barnstaple — Rated Good by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos and contact details on Nursery Advice."
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4.  Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School)

# Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School)

Compare Contact Nursery 

Ofsted: Good

(Jun 2021) 

· 5.0 (1 parent reviews)  · 11 Boutport Street, BARNSTAPLE, EX31 1RW · Devon 

Number of places

55 places

Age range

0–5 yrs

Last inspected

Jun 2021

Local authority

Devon

About 

-   About 
-   Pricing 
-   Ofsted 
-   Inclusion 
-   Reviews 
-   FAQ 

-   [About](#about)
-   [Pricing](#pricing)
-   [Ofsted](#ofsted)
-   [Inclusion](#inclusion)
-   [Reviews](#reviews)
-   [FAQ](#faq)

Email Nursery

## About this day nursery

Happy Hares Nursery & Pre-School provides quality childcare for children aged 6 months to 4 years, operating for 49 weeks a year from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Conveniently located in Boutport Street, Barnstaple, the nursery features age-specific rooms, fostering a secure environment with familiar adults while allowing children the freedom to explore other areas.

The facility boasts an exceptional outdoor space, complete with a large shelter, ensuring outdoor play is accessible in all weather conditions. Happy Hares also has a sister nursery, Lovacott Nursery, which provides care for children from 6 months to 4 years and wrap-around care for 5-11 year olds, open 51 weeks a year from 7:45 am to 5:30 pm.

Lovacott Nursery is situated in the peaceful, rural village of Lovacott, offering expansive views of the surrounding countryside. Both nurseries implement the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, focusing on seven areas of learning, categorised into three prime and four specific areas.

They utilise Tapestry, an online learning journal, to engage parents/carers with their child's daily activities and progress. Each child receives daily one-to-one interaction with a familiar adult, balancing adult-led, adult-initiated, and child-initiated tasks to fulfil the Foundation Curriculum requirements.

Our ethos

Happy Hares Nursery & Pre-School implements the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, focusing on seven areas of learning. They utilise Tapestry, an online learning journal, to engage parents/carers with their child's daily activities and progress. Each child receives daily one-to-one interaction with a familiar adult, balancing adult-led, adult-initiated, and child-initiated tasks.

What it's like

Children feel safe and secure as they confidently explore the variety of spaces. They independently choose from a range of suitable toys and activities on offer. Staff are very attentive to children's needs, responding to them sensitively and support children well to make good progress.

Ages 6 months to 4 years Two nursery locations EYFS curriculum Online learning journal via Tapestry Wraparound care for 5-11 year olds (Lovacott site) 

## Pricing & funding

Fees are charged hourly and vary by age band, location, and effective date. Rates include snacks, nappies, wipes, and suncream, with hot lunches available for an additional daily charge. A minimum weekly hourly commitment applies.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs) 30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs) 15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds Tax-Free Childcare 

Good to know

-   Fees include nappies, wipes, suncream, and morning and afternoon snacks. 
-   Hot lunches are optional and charged separately. 
-   A minimum booking of 11 hours is required. 

### Official Ofsted Report

Independent inspection of Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School)

Inspection date

Jun 2021

Inspection no.

10194271

Lead inspector

Den Russell

Safeguarding arrangements are effective

[Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50167097)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY561019)

Visit or enquire

### Book a show-around

Most settings reply within 48 hours.

Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist

Get in touch

### Contact

Reveal phone number 

Contact Nursery [

Visit website ](https://www.happyhares.com/)

11 Boutport Street, BARNSTAPLE, EX31 1RW 

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## Key facts

Opening hours

Happy Hares: 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday, 49 weeks a year. Lovacott: 7:45 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday, 51 weeks a year.

Food

Hot lunches are an additional £2.25 per day. All fees include nappies, wipes, suncream and both morning and afternoon snack.

Age range

6 months to 4 years (Happy Hares & Lovacott); 5-11 years (wrap-around care at Lovacott)

Term time / All Year

All Year

Session types

Full day, Hourly

Waitlist

Unknown

Ofsted Inspection

## Ofsted rating for Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School)

Last inspected 30 June 2021 · Den Russell

Safeguarding effective 

Overall effectiveness 

Good 

Quality of education 

Good 

Behaviour and attitudes 

Outstanding 

Personal development 

Good 

Leadership and management 

Good 

What it's like to attend

Children feel safe and secure as they confidently explore the variety of spaces. They independently choose from a range of suitable toys and activities on offer. Staff are very attentive to children's needs, responding to them sensitively and support children well to make good progress.

Inspector highlights

-   Children show a very good understanding of the expectations of the setting. 
-   Staff provide children with a wide range of opportunities to develop their physical skills. 
-   Staff read to children in a way that engages them and they introduce children to new vocabulary. 
-   Children enthusiastically join in with group times. 
-   Leaders have an ambitious vision for providing high-quality care and education for children. 

Areas to develop

-   1 support staff to consistently give children sufficient time to answer questions, so that children can articulate what they know 
-   2 improve partnerships with parents to provide a healthy diet for children. 

Inspection #10194271 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50167097)

## What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

> Parents are complimentary of the setting and are very happy with the progress their children make.

Inclusion & environment

## How they support every child

SEND provision

The setting has high expectations and staff support children well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to make good progress in their learning and development. Leaders make good use of additional funding to provide children with the support they need and extend the opportunities available to them.

Outdoor space

Staff provide children with a wide range of opportunities to develop their physical skills. Babies pull themselves up to stand and staff support them as they learn to walk. Older children climb safely on the new climbing frame and they confidently negotiate swings or balance on posts and obstacle courses.

## Parent Reviews of Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School)

5.0 

(1) 

![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocIZGbiEj6jZKkxtB3iFEUM_FyvF6X0WlkBd9rh_VAwIGbuT9w=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo)

Michael Hare

7 years ago

Great work , a job very well done ,congratulations to you all

[Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURBa0p2NzdBRRAB!2m1!1s0x486c3b04eb208967:0x26b0c85e7fcd1aea)

Reviews from Google for Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School). [See all on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=2787948477538966250&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA)

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

30 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/50167097)

## Frequently asked about Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School)

### How did Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School) do at its last Ofsted inspection?

### How can Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School) be contacted?

### Is Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School) a day nursery or preschool?

### What does Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School) do well?

### What is Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School) working on improving?

### Is Happy Hares (Nursery And Pre-School) suitable for under-twos?

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