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Puffins At Sowton

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Jun 2022)
·
5.0(28 parent reviews) ·Puffins, Green Park, Exeter, EX2 7LL · Devon
Number of places
36 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2022
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

Puffins at Sowton is a nursery conveniently situated just off Junction 29 of the M5, adjacent to the Honiton Park & Ride on Sowton Industrial Estate. The setting offers a bright and spacious open-plan environment, where children can explore a large garden and nearby community parks.

The dedicated team focuses on creating a welcoming and stable atmosphere, working in close collaboration with parents to align with children's care routines and needs. The nursery features a significant open-plan space with separate areas catering to babies, while toddlers (Bumblebees), and preschoolers have opportunities for interaction throughout the day.

They also have dedicated key times to support individual development. This open-plan design facilitates connections between older children and staff, easing transitions between age groups and allowing siblings to visit each other.

Puffins at Sowton boasts an 'Outstanding' rating in all areas from Ofsted. The children's learning and development are central to the nursery's approach, utilising a play-based curriculum and a key worker system to meet individual needs and provide engaging experiences.

Children have direct access to outdoor areas, fostering confidence in preparing for outside activities and choosing their learning environments. The garden includes various zones for exploration, with separate spaces for the youngest children.

The nursery also organises regular trips to surrounding communities and parks. During mealtimes, children are encouraged to serve themselves, promoting self-care and developing essential skills such as using cutlery, pouring drinks, hand-eye coordination, core strength, and fine motor control, all crucial for early communication and pre-writing.

Chelsea, the Childcare Centre Manager, who started in July 2013 with a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare, leads the team. She is supported by Megan, the Deputy Manager, who joined in 2019.

Our ethos

Puffins at Sowton utilises a play-based curriculum and a key worker system to meet individual needs and provide engaging experiences. In their open-plan environment, children are encouraged to explore, make choices, and develop self-care skills, with direct access to outdoor areas and regular community trips. They focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere and collaborating with parents to support each child's development.

What it's like

Children relish exploring and learning independently with the skilled support of enthusiastic staff, who have exceptionally strong bonds with them. Children of all ages love being outdoors, and staff ensure they have ample opportunities to choose where to play. Leaders and staff have carefully planned the outdoor areas to provide exciting learning environments and resources.

Ofsted OutstandingPlay-based CurriculumLarge Garden AccessForest School Programmes

Pricing & funding

The nursery applies an optional hourly charge for funded hours to cover additional costs. This voluntary contribution is split between meals, consumables, and enrichment activities.

Funding accepted

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

Good to know

  • An optional charge of £0.50 per hour applies to funded hours.
  • Charges cover meals and snacks, non-food consumables, and enrichment activities.

Key facts

Opening hours

7:30am to 6:00pm, Monday-Friday

Age range

3 months to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2019

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Puffins At Sowton

Last inspected 30 June 2022

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 relish exploring and learning independently with the skilled support of enthusiastic staff, who have exceptionally strong bonds with them. Children of all ages love being outdoors, and staff ensure they have ample opportunities to choose where to play. Leaders and staff have carefully planned the outdoor areas to provide exciting learning environments and resources.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff know children exceptionally well, and home visits help younger children settle quickly.
  • Children have excellent relationships and show great care and respect for one another, learning about different backgrounds through celebrations.
  • Children learn a multitude of independence skills, from drinking from open cups to washing their own plates.
  • Leaders and staff have a deep, shared understanding of what children need to learn and provide excellent professional development opportunities for staff.
  • Partnerships with parents and carers are excellent, with staff sharing information and involving parents in their children's learning.
  • Children develop excellent communication skills, enjoying poetry and rhymes, writing their own poems, and using sign language with babies.
Inspection #10194524 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents describe how much their children love particular members of staff and talk about them at home.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff have the highest expectations for all children. They work extremely closely with parents and carers to ensure that they understand children's starting points. They skilfully identify and plan for what each child needs to do next to make progress. Children, particularly those who need additional help, make notable progress.

Outdoor space

Children of all ages love being outdoors and staff ensure that they have ample opportunities to choose where to play. Leaders and staff have planned the outdoor areas carefully to provide exciting learning environments and resources. For example, babies enjoy playing with bubbles and real flowers in the water tray. When it rains, staff respond imaginatively by adding paints to a puddle. Babies excitedly splash in the colourful water.

Parent Reviews of Puffins At Sowton

5.0
(28)
Sarah Gadsden
2 months ago

We are really happy with the care our son receives at Puffins of Sowton. I was initially a little nervous to put in him nursery but he has absolutely thrived since he started 6 months ago! His key worker Darcy is exceptional and they have formed a very strong bond. All the team are brilliant and have completely put my mind at ease, especially in their management of his allergy. My son enjoys playing outside at nursery and there are so many activities for him to enjoy! I appreciate all the updates on the nursery app during the day.

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Grace Toczek
7 months ago

It has been over a month since my son started with Puffins Sowton and he could never have been happier. The whole setting is surrounded by massive outdoor space, where the children can come in and out and having free play. The eyparent app is very useful, as they update it throughout the day and provide photos of my son and what he had been up to. Before the start, the nursery provides quiet few settling sessions and few days before your child joins them, there is a key worker visit at home setting, and they bring some goodies for child and the parent. Most of all, I wanted to give a massive shout out to my son’s key worker - Monika Roj. She is just amazing how she has dealt with my son from the start, making him comfortable and safe in new environment. She’s so friendly and approachable, and always provides detailed information of how the day went. We really do appreciate her ♥️

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Alison Weeks
7 months ago

I can’t speak highly enough of Puffins of Exeter, Sowton. They’ve looked after our little boy Milo brilliantly and with lots of care. Milo loves nursery and all of the engaging and fun activities they do with him. He eats and sleeps better at nursery than he does at home! Special thanks to Kelly and Jess, who take such great care of Milo

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Paul Potter
8 months ago

We love Puffins of Sowton. Our daughter who's been there for 2.5 years has not cried once going in. She loves it. It's well organised by Chelsea who's the manager. Then the lovely staff are so wholesome and so good with the kids. Shout out to Hannah, Phoebe, Liv, Meghan, Darcy, and Alex who do such a great job. Thank you!

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kim Pearse
10 months ago

My son has thoroughly enjoyed his time at Puffins Sowton. We are so happy with the care our 2-year-old receives at this nursery. The staff are incredibly kind, patient, and nurturing. It’s clear they genuinely care about the children and take the time to get to know each one individually. Our son has settled in so well and always comes home happy, which gives us real peace of mind. The environment is welcoming, and well-organised. Couldn’t ask for better care—highly recommend! His key worker Liv has also been amazing ! She's so lovely, caring and genuine.

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Inspection history

Date: June 2022

  • August 2022Outstanding
  • June 2022Outstanding

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