Nanny Bears Childcare, Wonford

Cosy Hygge areas and play inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar give this Exeter nursery a recognisable character: quiet spaces for unwinding alongside activities that build on children's discoveries. These were features of daily life in May 2026. Relationships and emotional security were central to that account.

At its May 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged inclusion and children's welfare and wellbeing to be at a strong standard, with achievement, behaviour and routines, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance at the expected standard; safeguarding standards were met. The balance matters: care attracted stronger judgements than teaching.

In May 2026, the early years foundation stage framed learning through play, communication and practical experiences. Babies and toddlers explored counting and colour, while older toddlers used cooking and planting to develop mathematical understanding. Books, songs and number activities also threaded through routines.

An outdoor caterpillar discovery led to counting and comparison activities connected to The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This gave children a familiar story through which to explore an interest of their own. Physical experiences included crawling, climbing, throwing, drawing and using tools.

There was a clear teaching priority, too. In May 2026, explanations of boundaries and extensions to activities varied between practitioners. Some children heard a prohibition without learning its reason, reducing opportunities to practise reasoning and make independent choices.

At the May 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that practitioners knew children's emotional needs well, adapted settling sessions and learning support to individual needs, and helped children make progress from their starting points. The practical mechanisms included shorter settling sessions, visual prompts and additional processing time.

In May 2026, Hygge areas were cosy spaces for rest and emotional regulation, alongside music and yoga. Children practised independence through everyday tasks: babies washed their hands before feeding themselves, and toddlers served lunch and passed bowls to others.

Families and staff worked together on routines across home and nursery. Dental-care activities used discussion and role play, while dolls wearing glasses or hearing aids helped represent different needs. Support was reviewed through assessment and work with families and other professionals.

The address is The Old Stables, 85 Barrack Road, Exeter, EX2 5ED. The nursery opens throughout the year, Monday to Friday, from 7.45am to 6pm. These are opening hours.

• Explaining boundaries. In May 2026, children did not consistently receive explanations for rules. Ask how practitioners now help children understand the reasons behind limits and extend their thinking during play.
• Consistency between practitioners. The May 2026 priorities included targeted training and feedback, while curriculum monitoring was still being embedded. Families should weigh the strong care judgements alongside the work needed to make teaching and routines more consistent.
• Settling into Wonford. Shorter sessions and sensory resources were used to adapt settling in May 2026. At a visit, discuss how an individual settling plan would work for your child.

For families who place emotional security, individual settling and everyday independence high on their list, the May 2026 picture gives concrete reasons to consider Wonford. Its strongest judgements concerned welfare and inclusion. The decision also needs to account for the teaching priorities: explaining boundaries, extending activities and making practice more consistent across staff.