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Puffins at Westcliff

Ofsted: Strong standard·
5.0(8 parent reviews) ·School Bungalow, First Avenue, Dawlish, EX7 9RA · Devon
Number of places
40 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2026
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

Puffins at Westcliff, operating since 2025, is a childcare setting for children aged 0-4 years located in Dawlish, EX7 9RA. The nursery maintains an all-year term-time status with consistent opening hours from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

The setting has achieved a strong standard in its latest inspection on April 8, 2026, where children are noted to be confident, motivated learners who make rapid progress from their starting points. The OFSTED report highlights that children exhibit high levels of engagement and sustained concentration in their play, often helping and supporting each other.

The curriculum fosters exceptional behaviour within a calm, nurturing learning space, with staff modelling respect effectively. Leaders and staff demonstrate strong familiarity with each child and family, tailoring induction visits and settling-in processes to individual needs, which in turn nurtures a significant sense of belonging among the children.

This allows children to explore activities with confidence, independence, and a secure feeling of safety.

What it's like

Children arrive happy and excited, separating well from their parents and carers. They settle swiftly with their key person and feel safe and secure, showing confidence and independence as they explore activities. Staff model respect, and children follow their example, sharing and taking turns as they play. Leaders and staff know the families and children they work with exceedingly well, adapting induction visits and settling-in sessions to meet individual needs, fostering a real sense of belonging.

Confident and motivated learnersHigh engagement and concentrationChildren support each otherExceptional behaviourCalm, nurturing environmentStrong sense of belonging

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 08:00 - 18:00

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

2025

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Strong standard

Last inspected Apr 2026

Headline: Strong standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
—
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementStrong standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingStrong standard
Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceStrong standard
Age range
0 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Puffins at Westcliff

Last inspected 8 April 2026

What it's like to attend

Children arrive happy and excited, separating well from their parents and carers. They settle swiftly with their key person and feel safe and secure, showing confidence and independence as they explore activities. Staff model respect, and children follow their example, sharing and taking turns as they play. Leaders and staff know the families and children they work with exceedingly well, adapting induction visits and settling-in sessions to meet individual needs, fostering a real sense of belonging.

Inspector highlights

  • All children achieve well and make rapid progress from their starting points.
  • Children are confident and motivated learners; staff equip them with the skills and knowledge needed for their next stage of learning.
  • Children demonstrate high levels of engagement and sustained concentration in their play.
  • Children enjoy helping and supporting each other to learn, with pre-school children consistently demonstrating this.
  • Children behave exceedingly well, and staff create a calm, nurturing learning space.
  • Leaders and staff prioritise children's wellbeing and welfare, responding swiftly to changes in circumstances.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders and those responsible for governance should sustain their work to ensure continued improvement and high standards. They should focus on creating a transformational impact on the outcomes and experiences of disadvantaged children, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, those who are known (or previously known) to children's social care, and those who may face other barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing.

Parent Reviews of Puffins at Westcliff

5.0
(8)
chloe warren
4 months ago

My daughter started at puffins in the under 3's and the team have been fantastic. Sophie smith has been exceptional with the transition for my daughter who has found it hard to part with me, as well as myself and has been nothing but supportive. They are all absolutely brilliant and I can't fault them! Thank you so much. My other daughter also goes in the pre school part of puffins and they have been fantastic. She was non verbal just a year ago and is now thriving! Highly recommend nursery x

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Sally
6 months ago

Puffins have been brilliant with my son. Their communication is brilliant, and was from the moment my son's name was on the waiting list. Their communication is great, with daily updates on an app, and their system for children going in/out is also very good for safety and security. My son runs in on his own now, he is always happy to get to nursery, and I know he has a lot of fun while he is there. I am so grateful to the staff at Puffins for helping him to settle in to nursery so well, and creating a warm, nurturing environment that he can thrive in.

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Katie Apple
8 months ago

Both my daughters (2 and 4) have started at Puffins Westcliff and are thoroughly enjoying it. They've both settled so well, run in with a smile and I've been amazed how quickly they've both taken to it. The photos are sent every session on the app so we can always see what they've been up to that day. Becky has been so friendly and helpful with my youngest, Abby communicates so well, goes above and beyond, and Evie and Jasmine have been so sweet and welcoming to my eldest. I wouldn't take my girls anywhere else!

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Toni Barton
11 months ago

Everybody at puffins has been amazing since my daughter started there. They helped her settle in really well and she loves going to nursery. Abby, Becky and all the staff are extremely supportive and communicate really well. Highly recommend this nursery!

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P S
8 months ago

Great nursery with brilliant staff. My daughters both love it, best nursery we've found.

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Reviews from Google for Puffins at Westcliff. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

8 April 2026

Strong standard

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more