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Kennford Playbox

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Dec 2024)
·
5.0(6 parent reviews) ·The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road Kennford, Kennford, EX6 7UE · Devon
Number of places
20 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2024
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

Kennford Playbox Preschool is an early years setting for children aged 2-4 years, situated in a modern, purpose-built facility just outside Exeter. As a registered charity, it operates under the guidance of a volunteer parent-led committee.

The preschool boasts an "Outstanding" rating from Ofsted, achieved in December 2024, across all areas including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The dedicated team at Playbox is committed to fostering children's growth and learning through diverse activities such as role-play, nature trails, block building, soft play, and arts and crafts.

The preschool offers free-flow access between indoor and outdoor learning environments, ensuring a varied curriculum. In addition to daily sessions, Kennford Playbox provides enriching programmes like a chick hatching initiative, animal encounters, sports days, open mornings, seedling sessions, and parent meetings, all designed to enhance the children's learning journey and engagement.

They welcome visits from prospective families to experience their unique environment.

What it's like

Children at Kennford Playbox are respectfully guided by highly-skilled staff in a rich and exciting learning environment. The well-embedded, highly effective, and ambitious curriculum ensures exceptional progress in their development, fostering confidence, independence, language, and physical abilities. Children develop curiosity and strong mathematical skills, with staff consistently planning and providing engaging opportunities based on individual interests.

Ofsted OutstandingCharity-runEarly Years Foundation Stage CurriculumIndoor and Outdoor Free Flow

Pricing & funding

This nursery offers funded and non-funded sessions for children aged two to four. Fees are charged hourly and are split by age band, with separate rates for early morning clubs, settling-in sessions, and emergency supplies.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)

Good to know

  • Non-funded hourly rates are split by age band (2 years and 3/4 years).
  • Rise and Shine Club (8.30am - 9.15am) is free for funded children.
  • Settling-in sessions are free with a parent or carer, but chargeable without.
  • Additional charges apply for emergency nappies, emergency lunches, and late collections.
  • Voluntary donations are requested for end-of-term parties and late payment reminders.

Key facts

Opening hours

Sessions run Monday to Friday 9.15am-12.45pm and 12.45pm to 3.15pm. Additional Rise and Shine Club available from 8.30-9.15am.

Age range

2-4 year olds

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Kennford Playbox

Last inspected 4 December 2024 · Dilys Vincent

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 at Kennford Playbox are respectfully guided by highly-skilled staff in a rich and exciting learning environment. The well-embedded, highly effective, and ambitious curriculum ensures exceptional progress in their development, fostering confidence, independence, language, and physical abilities. Children develop curiosity and strong mathematical skills, with staff consistently planning and providing engaging opportunities based on individual interests.

Inspector highlights

  • Outstanding relationships with external professionals enable staff to follow consistent strategies and personal plans, leading to very good progress for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
  • Partnerships with parents are extremely effective, with adapted communication to give parents a sound understanding of their child's development and regular meetings taking place.
  • Staff are led well by inspirational managers and a supportive committee, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment with an ambitious curriculum where children enthusiastically explore.
  • Children develop high levels of confidence and perseverance in their play, with strong support from staff who listen and respond, encouraging children to take their ideas further.
  • Leaders provide excellent support for staff to develop their own skills, with recent training in forest school activities enabling better-quality outside experiences for the children.
Inspection #10367365 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents praise the high level of communication from the staff and for the support they receive in this area. They also talk about the progress they have seen their children make with self-help skills since attending the pre-school.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Outstanding relationships with external professionals enable staff to follow consistent strategies and personal plans based on children's interests and needs, leading to very good progress with their language and communication. As a result, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities settle quickly and achieve well. Managers make very good use of additional funding to enhance children's learning and experiences.

Outdoor space

Children enthusiastically explore the creatively developed environment. They use their senses in the sensory den and garden. Recent training in forest school activities is enabling staff to provide better-quality outside experiences for the children, such as planting and growing fruit and vegetables, learning about healthy eating, and chopping and cooking their produce.

Parent Reviews of Kennford Playbox

5.0
(6)
Rebecca Carey
3 months ago

Both my boys have attended playbox now and it has been there first experience of a childcare setting . Both have thrived .My eldest was set up for his school transition from playbox perfectly and settled in to school really well. My youngest still attends playbox and I love hearing his story’s about what he has been up to when he gets in the car . He loves the staff to and I have no worries leaving him in there care

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Sarah Bellew
a year ago

My son attended Kennford Playbox and he loved it, it really did give him the best start in education providing the perfect transition to school! The staff are all so caring and get the best out of all the children. There is a really lovely outside area for the children to enjoy, which includes their pet guinea pigs! They also have visits from animal encounters, a dance teacher, music class, a chick hatching program....the list goes on! I'll definitely be booking in my younger son to join the Kennford Playbox family

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Jenna Mills
a year ago

Playbox has been a wonderful experience for my daughter. The staff are caring and attentive, creating a nurturing environment that makes her feel safe and happy. The curriculum is engaging and age-appropriate, encouraging her to explore and learn through play. I've noticed significant growth in her social skills and confidence since she started attending. I highly recommend this nursery to any parent looking for a supportive and enriching place for their little ones!

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Gemma Norton
a year ago

I am so pleased I found this pre-school. They really do live up to their Ofsted Outstanding! My son has absolutely thrived here and loves all the staff and enjoys the added extras like Little Stars Music classes and chick hatching programmes. We feel very lucky that he has a place here.

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Jane Lewis
13 years ago

Both my children have been through Kennford Playbox Pre-school and have had a fantastic time. My youngest has just gone up to Kenn School and was well equipt for the school learning experience, he along with many of his group already new a lot of their 'letters and sounds'. The staff team are wonderful and the childcare is outstanding, as backed up by Ofsted a second time round! The setting is purpose made with good parking and easy access from the A38, meaning that i was able to use it as i would a nursery facility. I would definately recommend this pre-school to anyone looking for excellant early years care.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Kennford Playbox. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: January 2012

  • December 2024Outstanding
  • February 2019Outstanding
  • November 2015Good
  • January 2012Outstanding

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