Puffins in the City

1 West Street, Exeter EX1 1BB
Review Us
9.8 52 Reviews
  • Puffins in the City, Exeter
Puffins in the City cares for children between the age of 0 and 5 in the spacious nursery which has both large indoor and outside areas. Children are helped to play and learn by a dedicated team of staff who enjoy working with children to give them the best start in life.

The nursery is ideally located near Princesshay shopping centre and has a safe parking drop off and pick up zone for parents to make the most of.

All staff are childcare qualified and dedicated to providing high quality nursery care.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Sasha (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 19

Total Places for Children

  • 55

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Under 2s with no Grant Funding:
    Daily (07:30-18:00) £79 per session
    Full week £335 per week
    Morning or afternoon rate £10 per hour (minimum 3 hours, maximum 6 hours)


    9-23 Month Grant Funding:
    Available for full day sessions or half day sessions
    25p per hour service charge (on hours with grant allocated)


    2 - 3yrs Sessions with no Grant Funding:
    Daily (07:30-18:00) £76 per session
    Morning or afternoon rate £9.50 per hour (minimum 3hr session, maximum 6hrs)


    2 - 3yrs Grant Funding:
    Available for full day sessions or half day sessions
    25p per hour service charge (on hours with grant allocated)
    Full Time 10% discount for 2 - 3yrs


    3 and 4yrs:
    £8 per hour; for hours not allocated with grant
    £1.15 per hour service charge (on hours with grant allocated)
    Over 40hrs booked 10% discount

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Puffins in the City Reviews (52)

9.8

Puffins in the City has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.849) out of 10, based on 15 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Puffins in the City has 52 reviews.

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Date Published
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Review from Becca K (Mother of Child) published on 15 December 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I absolutely love my little girl being at Puffins. She is so happy when she comes home chatting about her day. She has been attending Puffins for 1.5 years and I couldn't imagine her anywhere else. The staff are brilliant and always on hand to answer any queries I have. She has developed so much since
attending and I will be very sad for her to leave when she starts school in a couple of years. A special thank you to her key workers who have been with her during her time in the baby room and bumblebee room who she has absolutely adored.
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Review from Hazel S (Mother of Child) published on 22 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started around eight months ago and has absolutely loved Puffins in the City! I feel very confident leaving him in their care and I know he will have a great day. The staff are warm, informative and approachable, despite the challenges of Covid-19 during this time. They have also been very adaptable
and approachable, for example giving him expressed breast milk, although luckily he wanted to stop this fairly early on himself and accommodating his cloth nappies. The parent app is great and I look forward to seeing the photos, as well as the practical information on sleep. I feel he gets a lot out of the activities each day but will also always be given a cuddle if he needs one. My main reason for not hesitating at all in recommending them is simply that he seems to enjoy himself!
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Review from Emma B (Mother of Child) published on 18 November 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am very happy when I drop off my son to Puffins in the City as I am confident and certain that he will be properly looked after, cared for and given time to be him. Although procedures have recently become very strict due to Covid, I would still suggest that my son continues to thrive and enjoy his
full days with warm, friendly and competent nursery workers. Who maintain lovely relationships with him and great communication with me. Thank you!
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Review from Ben S (Father of Child) published on 18 November 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Puffins is a wonderful nursery. The staff are lovely and all the children seem to really enjoy themselves. Tise nursery offers great flexibility to parents with fluctuating schedules.
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Review from Kimberley P (Mother of Child) published on 16 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started coming here the week before lockdown in March, his settling in sessions were brilliant and his first day went really well. The nursery were fantastic during the lockdown and kept in regular contact. When my son started going back after lockdown he started to become very upset at drop
off but the team were so friendly and reassuring and I knew that within being there for a few minutes he would be happily playing. The parentzone app is great for knowing what he is up to and seeing pictures of him playing and learning. I can't thank the team enough for how wonderful they all are with him and how they really take a genuine interest in every child and are so caring for them all. I'd 100% recommend this nursery to anyone.
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Review from Sandra N (Mother of Child) published on 30 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Summing up Puffins in the city in one word: Outstanding. My four-year-old daughter attended the setting last year and the quality of care offered there has greatly and beneficially influenced her development. I have seen her morphing from a quiet, clingy toddler into an independent, socially aware child.
The team there, including Head Office, are kind, professional, always on hand to help, give advice and more importantly listen to the parents and children's needs. My daughter loved everyone single one of her nursery teachers and they have definitely made a big impact on her development. Thank you to the Puffins family once again for their dedication and hard work. Highly recommended.
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Review from Erin P (Mother of Child) published on 30 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All the staff are so friendly and my boy is happy there. They are always doing a variety of activities including lots of sensory activities which he loves. I feel that the nursery has also helped further my boys development in all areas. My boy has been there since he was six months old and he is now
21 months and I have been very happy with every part of the service they provide.
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Review from Louise S (Mother of Child) published on 28 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has attended Puffins since he was seven months old and has received the best care I could have hoped for. He has changed so much since he started at the nursery and this is definitely down to the staff and how attentive they are to each child. He now attends an extra day a week as he enjoys it
so much, and I have peace of mind that he’s extremely well looked after. Couldn’t rate this nursery highly enough.
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Review from Vicky F (Mother of Child) published on 28 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been at Puffins for two years now and we have always felt very looked after by the attentive and caring staff. He is very excited in the mornings when he knows it’s a ‘nursery day’ and always gets a very warm welcome from his key workers which is a really positive start to his day. There’s
plenty of outdoor time along with great indoor activities, arts and crafts etc. The communication is excellent and the Parent Zone app is so reassuring; it’s lovely getting daily photographs and updates, it makes my day much easier knowing he’s happy and in safe hands.
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Review from Alanna M (Mother of Child) published on 20 April 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All 3 of my Sons have attended puffins nursery at Southernhay over the last 9 years. My youngest being 2 is currently enrolled there. I wouldn’t send my children anywhere else. I have total trust in all the staff with my children, they build a great bond and really show care and comfort to my boys which
sets my mind at ease leaving them there to go to work each day. They have a system called Parent Zone so you can communicate about your child’s day etc easily and see photos daily. They also have their own outdoor play area which is great and they often go on outings around the city which my boys loved. I would highly recommend.
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Review from Rosie (Mother of Child) published on 20 April 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at Puffins part-time for about 10 months since she was just over 6 months old. She has bonded well with the staff and really enjoys going to nursery. I have always found the team friendly and helpful, and would highly recommend Puffins in the City to other parents.
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Review from Billie (Mother of Child) published on 20 April 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been at Puffins since he was 7 months old. I was so anxious about him going to nursery but from the very first settling in session, I felt reassured. His key worker is amazing, the frequent updates on the parent app are not only reassuring but show how much the little people gain from being
there. All the staff are friendly, caring and really know your child. A fabulous nursery. I have recommended it to several friends who have all used it and been equally pleased.
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Review from Jenny L (Mother of Child) published on 20 April 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter started when she was 6 months. The staff made her and I feel so at ease with her settling in. They communicate well and take great care of her. She loves going to nursery now and comes home learning new skills all the time. I didn’t know she could use a fork! They have a brilliant app that
lets you know how she is doing throughout the day. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
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Review from Sam J (Mother of Child) published on 20 April 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I can not rate this nursery enough. The staff genuinely spend so much time getting to know everything about the children’s interest and quirks that makes them, them. They act on everything I say and follow it up with love and care. The management puts the parents best interest at the heart of how the
nursery is run and follow a child-centred learning approach. They use the Parent Zone app which allows them and me to share how my child is doing with comments, reports and lots of lovely daily pics or videos. My daughter refers to the team as her “Puffins family” (her choice of words) and that in itself plus her charging in at the door without as much as a wave goodbye to me is all a parent can ask for.
A truly amazing place.
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Review from Steven J (Father of Child) published on 4 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son attends Puffins 5 days a week, he’s always happy there and learning new experiences. The staff are very good with him and always keep you updated on things plus the ParentZone app is brilliant so you can see what he’s been doing and eating too.
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Review from Rachel N (Mother of Child) published on 4 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little girl came to Puffins when she was 8 months, she was made to feel very welcome. She has been at the nursery for a year and I have been really impressed with the enthusiasm of the staff and the care she has received. They do different activities each day and are given lots of opportunities to
explore different things. The staff are really honest about how the day has been which I have really valued. I also like having a look to see what she has been up to whilst at work and they have an app that you can check your child's day. A brilliant nursery would recommend them to other parents especially as each child is made to feel special.
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Review from Carlos C (Father of Child) published on 4 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been attending Puffins in the City for more than a year and we are very happy with the nursery.
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Review from Laura S (Mother of Child) published on 6 February 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Puffins In the City are absolutely fantastic! My son loves spending time there, has learnt so much and has found a home from home. The team are brilliant and work so hard to develop the children and do different things every week. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone.
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Review from Vicki V (Mother of Child) published on 6 February 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son only attends nursery a couple of days a week but he is made to feel like the most important person whilst he is there. They are always doing something different with the children, coming up with creative ideas, games and activities for them. All of the staff are a credit to Puffins and are fantastic
with the children. My son has recently had a few confidence issues and everyone at the nursery has worked really hard to help him overcome this. They offer a comprehensive and varied activity plan, take the children out every day and each member of staff is enthusiastic about their job. My son absolutely loves his key worker and I have really appreciated her honest and open approach from the start. If you are looking for a progressive, creative and professional nursery who genuinely care about the development and well being of children then look no further!
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Review from Rebecca G (Mother of Child) published on 5 February 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The staff are always busy keeping the children entertained and happy, working alongside parents to make sure that they are happy that their children are happy. Staff are approachable and my son has a great bond with the majority of them.
My son struggled for a while when he switched rooms, but we
worked together and now he's happy to go and settle with his friends and find something to play, or sometimes have a cuddle with a member of staff to have a look around before engaging with play. The staff in Puffins in the City are happy and inviting. They have been great throughout the 2 years my son has been with them.
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.849)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.849) out of 10 for Puffins in the City is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 15 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 15 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.849 for Puffins in the City is calculated as follows: ( (155 Excellents x 5) + (21 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 179 Ratings = 4.849
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Puffins in the City is based on 15 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 55 number of registered child places is 11, which has been reached with 15 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (0)

Meet the Team (1)

Sasha

Sasha S

Job Title: Childcare Centre Manager Joined: 2018

Puffins at Southernhay have an established team, led by Sasha who has worked for Puffins since 2018.


Sasha is Level 3 qualified in Childcare and is supported by her Deputy Chloe.


The nursery is spread over 1 floor with individual rooms for each age group. Children can explore a variety of different rooms, supported by caring and diligent staff who work hard to ensure every child is loved and cared for as an individual.


Sasha and Chloe would love to show you around, so please get in contact.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Puffins in the City to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Puffins in the City has an Enhanced Service - more info.