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Puffins at Manston Terrace

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2024)
·
5.0(20 parent reviews) ·3 Manston Terrace, Exeter, EX2 4NP · Devon
Number of places
58 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2024
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

Puffins at Manston Terrace, located in St Leonard's, Exeter, is part of the Puffins of Exeter Ltd group of nurseries, having been registered in 2004. This childcare setting for children aged 0 to 7 operates Monday to Friday, from 7:30 am until 6 pm, for 51 weeks of the year.

The nursery's commitment to creating a 'home-from-home environment' helps children feel safe and secure, with staff forming strong bonds and offering regular reassurance. Children's individual needs are well met, with a good understanding of child development and a focus on fostering independence and self-care skills, such as using cutlery and serving meals.

The curriculum effectively prepares children for the next stage of learning, incorporating activities that develop fine motor skills for early handwriting and understanding mathematical concepts through play. Staff are enthusiastic about working at the nursery and benefit from training opportunities that enhance their practice, such as introducing new book-led activities to support children's literacy skills.

What it's like

On arrival, children happily run into the nursery and greet their friends before independently putting away their belongings. Providers have created a home-from-home environment which supports children to feel safe and secure. Staff have strong bonds with children and offer regular reassurance and cuddles. Children new to the nursery settle quickly into the group. Staff recognise the positive impact secure bonds have on a child's learning and development. Staff visit children's homes before they attend the nursery to further create a strong link between the nursery and home.

Home-from-home environmentStrong bondsIndividual needs metIndependence fosteredEffective curriculum

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

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

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 6pm

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

2004

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Puffins at Manston Terrace

Last inspected 24 September 2024

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

On arrival, children happily run into the nursery and greet their friends before independently putting away their belongings. Providers have created a home-from-home environment which supports children to feel safe and secure. Staff have strong bonds with children and offer regular reassurance and cuddles. Children new to the nursery settle quickly into the group. Staff recognise the positive impact secure bonds have on a child's learning and development. Staff visit children's homes before they attend the nursery to further create a strong link between the nursery and home.

Inspector highlights

  • Children happily run into the nursery and greet their friends before independently putting away their belongings.
  • Providers have created a home-from-home environment which supports children to feel safe and secure.
  • Staff have strong bonds with children and offer regular reassurance and cuddles.
  • Children new to the nursery settle quickly into the group.
  • The curriculum is good and children are well prepared for the next stage of learning.
  • Staff support children well to learn to handle a range of tools in preparation for early handwriting.
  • Children of all ages, including babies, enjoy regular trips to local parks and woodland to develop a love of the outdoors.
  • Staff support children to explore charity shops to understand the importance of reusing or recycling items.
  • Staff nurture children to develop a love of books and stories.
  • Staff guide children to act out stories on a pretend stage, developing their confidence and creative skills.
  • Staff have a good understanding of child development and children of all ages make good progress in their learning and development.
  • Children are supported by staff to develop their independence and self-care skills.
  • Staff support children to develop their language and communication skills well. Sign language is widely used.
  • Children of all ages are kind and listen well, responding eagerly to requests.
  • Staff enjoy working in the nursery and feel supported by the rest of the team and the provider.
  • The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
  • There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

Areas to develop

  • 1Strengthen the planning of group activities to ensure that older children receive further challenge.
  • 2Extend back-and-forth interactions to support older children to explore their ideas and interests even further.
  • 3Develop behaviour management strategies further to support children to understand how their behaviour impacts on others.
Inspection #10363845 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Children of all ages, including babies, enjoy regular trips to local parks and woodland with staff, to develop a love of the outdoors and a sense of belonging in the local community.

Parent Reviews of Puffins at Manston Terrace

5.0
(20)
Jessica Deakin
8 months ago

My little boy started at Puffins - Manston Terrace recently and we have been so impressed with it. The staff are amazing - lovely, kind and helpful. Kalia is his key worker and she is so brilliant with him and always gives me such a thorough update at the end of the day. He is a very fussy eater but she has taken the time to try different ways of getting him to try things. Molly, the nursery manager, really helped with my nerves of leaving him on his first full day there. The whole team in the Baby Room are just great. Big thank you to all of them for helping him to settle in so quickly.

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Kara Trickey
8 months ago

My twin children have been attending Puffins Manston Terrace since March 2025 and I can really say that they go above and beyond to ensure the best care is given to both myself and my children. I can already see how much my children have learnt since being in Puffins care. The activities and outings they get to take part in are also amazing. I would like to say a massive thank you to Molly, Fern, Chloe, Keely and Shannon for being super fantastic and for supporting my children’s learning and development to the fullest.

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Tamara cano verdú
8 months ago

Our girl is so happy and so independent since she started March this year! The staff is very kind and professional and always with a smile on their faces! I could mention many adorable people but lately are Lilly,Chloe and keely who we see our girl connecting so much with!

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Emma Marsh
7 months ago

Massive thank you to Gaby who supported and guided us through the application process. She kept us informed during every step, patiently answering all our questions on settings and the application process. Molly was very informative on the tour, accommodating us around work schedules and explaining each step from birth to 5. Thank you to the team at Manston Terrace, it is a beautiful, carefully planned setting.

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Claragh Brennan
a year ago

My son has been attending Puffins’s for almost 3 years, and my youngest for almost two months now. I cannot recommend puffins in manston terrace enough. Chloe, Fern & Keeley have built such wonderful caring nurturing relationships with both my children from the start, Georgia, Shona & Naomi in bumbler bees helped my eldest absolutely thrive and he has now built wonderful relationships with Maddy, Teresa & Paul in preschool. It means a lot when you can drop your children off and you know they are happy and so well looked after. Management & admin have always addressed any issues or queries Iv had in a timely and professional manner.

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Inspection history

Date: May 2009

  • September 2024Good
  • January 2019Good
  • December 2015Outstanding
  • May 2009Outstanding

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