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Sunshine Pre-school Exmouth

Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2025)
·
5.0(17 parent reviews) ·Gorfin Hall, Claremont Lane, Exmouth, EX8 2LE · Devon
Number of places
28 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2025
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

Sunshine Pre-School, nestled in Exmouth, Devon, offers a nurturing and stimulating environment where children from 18 months to four years old can flourish. As part of the Coastal Childcare Group, it prioritises a warm, family-like atmosphere from the initial visit through to a child's last day.

The pre-school places a strong emphasis on outdoor exploration, providing extensive green spaces, climbing structures, a mud kitchen, and dedicated areas for wheeled toys, encouraging year-round engagement with nature. Indoors, the versatile, pack-away setting allows for dynamic changes to embrace children's evolving interests, complemented by an on-site kitchen that hosts cooking activities for aspiring young chefs.

Operating under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, Sunshine Pre-School is committed to high standards of care and education, offering flexible sessions and accepting government funding. They pride themselves on a dedicated and highly qualified team, aiming to exceed statutory requirements and provide comprehensive support for both children and their families.

Our ethos

Sunshine Pre-School operates under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, prioritising outdoor exploration with extensive natural play areas and a strong emphasis on encouraging year-round engagement with nature. They aim to foster a warm, family-like atmosphere and adapt their versatile indoor setting to children's evolving interests, supported by a dedicated and qualified team.

What it's like

Staff warmly welcome children and their families to the pre-school. Children arrive happily and quickly settle down to play with their friends, taking part in a variety of learning experiences as part of an ambitious curriculum. Staff provide regular opportunities for children to learn outside, including visits to the local allotments where they learn to grow fruit and vegetables.

Outdoor-focused learningFlexible sessionsOn-site kitchen with cooking activitiesEYFS curriculumPart of Coastal Childcare Group

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured around hourly rates with separate charges for meals and consumables. A registration fee applies to private contracts, and parents can opt into a fully inclusive package covering nappies and wipes. Additional hours, voluntary contributions, and individual meals are billed separately.

Funding accepted

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

Good to know

  • One-off registration fee applies for private contracts.
  • Voluntary daily contribution requested.
  • Meals and snacks are billed individually at set session rates.
  • Optional fully inclusive daily package covers nappies and wipes, with rates depending on whether the child is under or over 3.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm, All Year Round

Age range

18 months to 4 years old

Term time / All Year

All Year

Session types

Flexible sessions

Established

2014

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Sunshine Pre-school Exmouth

Last inspected 20 February 2025 · Leanne Edge

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Staff warmly welcome children and their families to the pre-school. Children arrive happily and quickly settle down to play with their friends, taking part in a variety of learning experiences as part of an ambitious curriculum. Staff provide regular opportunities for children to learn outside, including visits to the local allotments where they learn to grow fruit and vegetables.

Inspector highlights

  • Children learn how to keep themselves healthy through physical activities and regulate their emotions using breathing exercises from yoga.
  • Staff provide frequent opportunities for children to develop their small-muscle skills using mark-making equipment and play dough.
  • Staff quickly recognise when children need additional support and work with other settings and agencies to create targeted support plans.
  • Leaders monitor children's progress and identify areas for improvement, implementing group activities to support mathematics.
  • Staff work well in partnership with parents, building good relationships, monitoring development, and offering workshops on supporting learning at home.

Areas to develop

  • 1help children to consolidate their mathematical knowledge, particularly during free play to support their understanding further
  • 2plan and implement adult-led activities more effectively for younger children to support their next steps in learning
Inspection #10376244 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents praise the home-from-home environment and the 'sense of warmth' provided by staff towards their children.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff support all children's learning effectively and quickly recognise when children might need additional support. They work closely with the other settings children attend to create targeted support plans, which ensures a consistent approach. They make timely referrals to other agencies to help children receive support from other professionals linked to their specific needs, including the local speech and language team.

Outdoor space

Staff provide regular opportunities for children to learn outside, including visits to the local area, such as the nearby allotments. Children learn how to grow fruit and vegetables and delight in eating the produce. Children discuss the different animals they find in the outdoor area at other times of the year, such as grasshoppers and dragonflies.

Parent Reviews of Sunshine Pre-school Exmouth

5.0
(17)
Samantha Horler
6 months ago

I can't praise the staff enough at sunshine nursery. As soon as we went to have a look around we knew it was where we wanted our son to go. We were made to feel so welcome and we are always kept in the loop with things. The communication is very good and our son absolutely loves going. An excellent team and overall a brilliant place.

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AspireSparkle '
a year ago

Sunshine is a fantastic setting! The staff go above and beyond to help you where ever possible. My children love/ed going to sunshine and have a great time. The team are super flexible which works around my working hours and other drop offs which is what I was drawn to at the start and then when I saw the actual hall, outside space and met Andrea( manager - who I must add is incredible !!) I thought it was lovely! Would highly recommend for a smaller more personal preschool . Thank you we love you sunshine.

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Megan Richards
a year ago

We have had the best experience with sunshine pre school. They are so flexible and go above and beyond for the children that attend and their families. They are always doing exciting and engaging activities and my daughter will be sad to leave. We wouldn’t go anywhere else. Thank you for everything!

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Harriet
3 years ago

After looking around at settings I thought my poor child was going to end up spending all her time with me for entertainment. Then I received a call from Andrea saying that a space had become available. I was very apprehensive after seeing many settings and being convinced I would never be able to trust anyone with my little girl. From the moment I walked thought the door Sunshine felt different, I felt at ease. The team were all so amazing and welcoming. I felt like I had known them for ages. The whole team have been amazing from day one. My many texts asking if she’s ok and 100 questions is never too much trouble and I feel completely reassured that my daughter is in amazingly safe hands. They are all amazing and all the children are so lucky to have such wonderful role models who genuinely care. The communication is fantastic and my little girl comes our bouncing every time telling me how much of a lovely time she has had, what more could I want for her. Thank you! You are all incredible!

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Lauren W
a year ago

My daughter became part of the Sunshine family 2 years ago and has grown and developed in so many ways. She is nearing the end of her journey to start school and I can not thank all the wonderful staff members enough. She has formed wonderful friendships and I will cherish the memories she has made along the way.Thank you Sunshine Pre-School you are simply the best 🥰 going to be a few tears when we say goodbye 😪

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Reviews from Google for Sunshine Pre-school Exmouth. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: June 2016

  • February 2025Good
  • May 2019Good
  • June 2016Good

Frequently asked about Sunshine Pre-school Exmouth

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