The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Chestnut Nursery School - Exeter Nursery Schools Federation
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Daily nursery rhymes and a book to take home give Chestnut’s nursery provision a clear language focus. Songs form part of the routine, while shared stories connect nursery learning with family life. These are practical activities parents can join in with, too.
Chestnut provides places for children aged two to four at its Devon County Council maintained nursery school on Magnolia Avenue in Exeter. Its stated aim is to help children enjoy learning and recognise what their own effort can achieve.
Nursery rhymes give the day a recurring activity. Children sing them daily, practising vocabulary, listening to word sounds and becoming familiar with how a simple story unfolds. The emphasis brings early reading preparation into an activity young children can repeat and enjoy.
The nursery also gives families concrete ways to continue this at home. Leaving out a rhyming word lets a child supply the ending; changing words makes a familiar rhyme personal. Children can invent actions or spot a deliberately incorrect word. Each suggestion gives them an active part in the song rather than simply listening to an adult.
Clapping introduces a steady beat. A box of objects associated with favourite rhymes gives children something tangible to use, while drawing characters or scenes provides another way to return to the same story. These are suggestions for family play, with nursery rhymes providing the link to the daily routine. Library books can extend that shared repertoire.
A book goes home when a child starts nursery, giving families a shared activity from the beginning. Chestnut encourages adults to share stories to support language development and preparation for reading. For parents, that makes participation concrete: read together, talk about the story and return to familiar rhymes.
Families can contact the nursery through its office, by telephone, email or the contact form. That gives parents several routes for raising questions about their child. The office’s daily opening hours are 8:45am to 3:15pm; these are contact hours, rather than a description of the child’s session.
Attending Chestnut does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.
The daily songs and home reading activities support preparation for school life. They should be understood as learning activities, rather than an admissions advantage.
Chestnut advertises both funded and non-funded places for two- to four-year-olds. Nursery enquiries can be made on 01392 690418 or by emailing admin@chestnutnursery.co.uk.
Parking. The nursery occupies a small residential cul-de-sac, where families are asked to park considerately and respect residents’ disabled bays. Wonford Sports Centre’s car park, behind the nursery building, is available for dropping off and collecting children. That provides a specific option when planning the journey.
The nursery’s own information gives an age range of two to four.
Children sing nursery rhymes daily as part of their routines, supporting vocabulary and awareness of sounds in words.
Children receive a book to share at home when they start nursery. Chestnut also suggests rhyme games, actions and library books.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
Wonford Sports Centre’s car park behind the nursery building is available for drop-off and collection. Families should also respect residents’ disabled parking bays.
