Best nurseries in Devon
Nursery places are in high demand and most recommend registering for a place about six months prior to the required start date. For term-time only nursery places, many of the independent prep schools and state primaries have on-site pre-schools from aged 3. For full, year-round cover and places for younger children and babies, there are several highly praised chains that run across Devon, including: Early Years Alliance, Pixieland Day Nurseries, Bambinos, Happy Days, Tops Day Nurseries, Kiddi Caru and Old Station Nurseries.
Our article on choosing a nursery provides insight on the differences between types of setting as well as advice on what to look for and questions to ask.
On top of the chain offerings, below are a few recommended independent options in each area.
Nurseries in Exeter
St Peter’s Prep has a wonderful nursery, very much the initial stepping stone into this idyllic school, taking children from age three. To secure a place, the school recommends registering within the first 12 months after birth. Devon Nurseries, owned by the same proprietor as the prep school, has four settings around Exeter and Exmouth that take babies from three months. The Grosvenor Day Nursery in central Exeter is also highly recommended. For all of these, it is sensible to register at least six months prior to your required start date.
Nurseries in Plymouth
Plymouth College Prep takes children from age two into its new purpose-built early years setting and advises registering at least an academic year prior to start. Bumblebees Day Nursery has an excellent local reputation and takes babies from three months, Kings School and Nursery takes children from age 2 - both recommend putting names down at birth to secure a place as they are oversubscribed and hugely popular.
Nurseries in north Devon
Alongside the chain nurseries for young babies on offer in this area, four of the best independent all-through schools here have nursery offerings for children aged two or three: Shebbear College, Blundell’s Preparatory School, West Buckland School and Kingsley School.
Nurseries in south Devon
Ark in the Park in Newton Abbot has resident donkeys and pigs and is a firm local favourite for young babies and toddlers alongside Mama Bear’s Day Nursery in Paignton. Once you have passed the baby stage, Stover School has a fabulous nursery on the edge of Dartmoor from age 3 or Chagford Montessori Nursery is highly regarded.
Nurseries in east Devon
Families across East Devon use the wonderful nursery at St Peter’s Prep and the Devon Nurseries options, as detailed in the Nurseries in Exeter section of this review. The Folly in Axminster and Caterpillar’s in Colyton are both independent favourites, along with Puffins in Beer.