Puffins at Manston Terrace

3 Manston Terrace, St Leonards, Exeter EX2 4NP
Review Us
9.9 57 Reviews
  • Puffins at Manston Terrace, Exeter
Puffins at Manston Terrace provides a wide variety of childcare services from children under the age of two to a holiday club for school aged children. Children are cared for across four age appropriate rooms which are designed with the specific needs of different age groups in mind.

Children are encouraged to play and learn together to boost their confidence and social skills in a loving environment. The outdoor area is used regularly by all children to provide them with an exciting place to explore and play in.

Inside a range of activities are on offer for children to spend time enjoying, whether on their own, as a group or with a member of the nursery’s qualified staff.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Molly C (Childcare Centre Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 19

Total Places for Children

  • 56

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 Holiday Club available during School Holidays for children aged 4 1/2-11)

Puffins at Manston Terrace Reviews (57)

9.9

Puffins at Manston Terrace has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.907) out of 10, based on 19 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Puffins at Manston Terrace has 57 reviews.

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Review from A A (Father of Child) published on 9 June 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have one child at Puffins and they couldn’t be happier. We really feel they have been welcomed there and enjoy the range of activities on offer. We have also been grateful for the possibility to do occasional day swaps due to unpredictable working patterns. Would recommend to any parent looking.
Reply from Gabriella Rourke, Training and Office Administrator at Puffins at Manston Terrace
It is lovely to read your feedback for our Manston Terrace setting and are pleased that we have made you feel welcomed coming to us. We hope that we can continue to provide this level of care for you…read more
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Review from James H (Father of Child) published on 19 May 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have two children at Puffins and they couldn’t be happier. We really feel they have been welcomed there and enjoy the range of activities on offer. We have also been grateful for the possibility to do occasional day swaps due to unpredictable working patterns. Would recommend to any parent looking
for a warm and caring environment for their child!
Reply from Gabriella Rourke, Training and Office Administrator at Puffins at Manston Terrace
Thank you for your feedback. It is lovely to hear that both your children are happy to attend us at Manston Terrace. We try to be as flexible as we can and are glad that this has worked well for your…read more
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Review from Claragh B (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy started Puffins at Manston Terrace in November 2022, after a bad experience with a different nursery I went to view both Manston Terrace and another nursery. I loved and got a good feel for both nurseries and had a hard decision choosing. My little boy instantly settled in and I believe
this is due to the great settling sessions and process Puffins have in place, as well as the educators actually building and maintaining reciprocal relationships with the children. The educators have a genuine passion for the children and that is clear to see. We moved a bit further away and I won’t move my little boy as he loves Puffins. In the mornings he takes the educators by the hand and waves bye to me. He is so content at Puffins and that is reflective on the service and educators.
Reply from Gabriella Rourke, Training and Office Administrator at Puffins at Manston Terrace
We are very happy that you feel our settling-in process supported you and your child in attending. We like to use the settling-in process for your child to bond with the keyworker and are very happy…read more
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Review from Katharine O (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My two kids (2 and 1-year-olds) go to this nursery full time and absolutely love it! They are so happy, love the food (and eat plenty of it!), and they get on with the staff so well. Both kids love messy play and they get their fix at nursery painting, playing in the sand in the garden etc. While they
have different rooms for different age groups, the kids can all interact in the garden and it's lovely to see my daughter grab her baby brother's hand to show him around. I love to see photos and updates in the app and see the kids so happy each day and making great friendships. You can tell the staff genuinely love working there and engaging with the kids and that sets the tone for the nursery. I can't recommend this nursery enough!
Reply from Gabriella Rourke, Training and Office Administrator at Puffins at Manston Terrace
Thank you for taking the time to write this feedback. As you said our Manston Terrace site has a garden where all ages can play together, we are so happy that this means your two children can learn…read more
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Review from Marie G (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff at Puffins are truly fantastic - they are kind attentive and just amazing at caring for each and every child. They helped settle my 6-month-old daughter in so well. It’s always difficult leaving your child at any age but I never worry about the care she receives. The team are more than I could
have hoped for as are all the other members of staff at nursery. I would highly recommend this nursery to others.
Reply from Gabriella Rourke, Training and Office Administrator at Puffins at Manston Terrace
We appreciate the time you have taken to leave us a review, thank you. We are very pleased that we can support you in returning to work knowing that your child is being looked after and cared for, all…read more
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Review from Natasha H (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son joined the nursery in the baby room a few months ago when I was doing my keeping-in-touch days ready to return to work. He was only 8 months when he first went and is now 11 months. He has settled so well and I am really happy with the nursery. The staff have been so welcoming and I feel certain
that my son is looked after in a caring and nurturing environment. Every member of staff that I’ve come across at Puffins Manston Terrace has been friendly and lovely and they are very approachable if you have a query. I really would recommend Manston Terrace, I know it is the best place for my son. They always have lovely activities and the staff are so interactive with the children, playing with them and engaging them (which was certainly not the case at some of the other nurseries I visited!) I think it’s a lovely place. Well done to the staff and keep it up, it’s a tough job but you do it brilliantly.
Reply from Gabriella Rourke, Training and Office Administrator at Puffins at Manston Terrace
Thank you for your feedback, we are very happy that you could leave such a lovely review. We encourage our staff to be as welcoming and friendly as possible and we are glad that you feel they have…read more
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Review from Borana T (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot recommend Puffins at Manston Terrace enough. The staff are always so lovely and friendly. They have taken care of my daughter very well. She has learnt so much since joining nursery and is developing into such a strong personality. The key workers are doing their best, working hard and always
with a smile.
Reply from Gabriella Rourke, Training and Office Administrator at Puffins at Manston Terrace
Thank you for your feedback. We are very happy to be able to provide a high standard of care for you and your family especially your daughter. We hope that you continue to enjoy Puffins at Manston…read more
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Review from E O (Mother of Child) published on 24 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Well recommended. I looked around several nurseries in Exeter and this one stood out for its size (not too big or small), the flexibility, ability to have settling-in sessions at the child’s pace, app updates, caring staff and general positive vibe plus at home initial meet up. My toddler loves nursery
and I feel he is learning so much from going as well as enjoying it so I look forward to sending him in more often. Thank you to all the Puffins team!
Reply from Gabriella Rourke, Training and Office Administrator at Puffins at Manston Terrace
Thank you for taking the time to leave us this feedback. We are glad that you felt our settling-in process benefitted you as a family and your child and hope that you were able to build a stronger…read more
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Review from Vasiliki M (Mother of Child) published on 16 December 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am from Greece and my English is not very good. Fortunately, she is a teacher and speaks Greek, and everything was very easy for me. I am very pleased with how they are treating my child. He is very happy every time I drop him off and every time I pick him up.
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Review from Rebecca C (Mother of Child) published on 15 December 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot recommend Puffins at Manston Terrace enough. The staff are always so lovely and friendly and have taken care of my little boy so well.
He has learnt so much since joining nursery and is developing into such a clever, funny and kind boy and I think his key workers have a lot to do with this.
Reply from Gabriella, Training and Office Administrator at Puffins at Manston Terrace
Hello, we appreciate the time that you have taken to leave us this review for our Puffins at Manston Terrace. We are very happy to be able to provide good quality childcare for you and your child and…read more
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Review from Rosie K (Mother of Child) published on 14 December 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son loves going to nursery. They do loads of lovely activities including baking. He's outside in the garden every day. The team genuinely care about the kids and understand individual personalities. Our son has forged fantastic friendships and is always chatting about the staff there. And they have
their own chef!
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Review from Christopher S (Father of Child) published on 25 November 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter loves this nursery and runs through the front door without looking back. She loves playing in the garden, especially in her tree. The staff give us updates at the end of the day and seem to know everything she's been up to. They post pictures and updates on an app throughout the day too.
She loved the trip to the donkey sanctuary and the staff accommodate her vegetarian diet.
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Review from R H (Mother of Child) published on 14 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Manston Terrace is perfect for our 20-month-old. The staff are all wonderful and truly care about the children. His key worker is as excited to talk about his day as we are to hear about it. He has never shed a single tear when being dropped off and knocks on the door with a giant smile on his face
every day.
There is a different messy or creative activity every day. The garden area is brilliant with so many areas to explore and my son is given the independence to choose what he wants to do. They also have lots of reading and singing time and he has enjoyed learning his animals and colours. The app is really good and the staff take the time to update it throughout the day and to upload lots of pictures, which we really appreciate.
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Review from Gemma B (Mother of Child) published on 9 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son is very happy at this nursery and loves the staff. I feel he's really well looked after and I'm kept up to date with what he's been doing, how much he's eaten and how much he's slept. There is also a portal I can log into and see pictures and updates. The nursery always looks clean and tidy and
the staff are very welcoming and friendly. No complaints.
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Review from H T (Mother of Child) published on 7 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have been using Puffins Manston Terrace since 2017 for both our sons (one who has now left and the other who is now 2) and we have consistently been delighted by the care and attention given by the staff. They are extremely hard working and make sure the children feel valued. It's a very friendly
environment and the children spend a lot of time outside in the beautiful garden. The staff go above and beyond and we couldn't recommend it more strongly!
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Review from Mark P (Father of Child) published on 7 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic facility, great communication from the staff, flexibility with days of the week much appreciated. Our daughter settled in very quickly and has thrived there. The app has been a really useful resource to see the activities of the day and get important information around nap times etc. Thank
you Puffins for a first class service.
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Review from C C (Mother of Child) published on 5 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My baby started at 7 months old and the staff in the baby room, and the managing team have been excellent from the day we looked around. They've been great at communicating with us, made us all feel comfortable and trusting and always have our daughter's needs front and centre. My daughter loves her
time there - I don't think I ever see her not smiling when I drop her off, or pick her up! The staff have created an environment where she eats and drinks well, and gets the naps she needs.
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Review from Nafisa Y (Mother of Child) published on 17 August 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot thank Puffins for the care and love they gave to my child. My baby was three months old when she started settling sessions with them. Before I knew them, I was always crying about how can I give my baby to someone I don't know, but when she started with Puffins, especially her key worker, she
was the only person I wanted my baby to be with, after myself. Also mention the nursery team and every other member of staff in that nursery who were very very professional, caring and kind. Unfortunately, I needed to move from Exeter due to my work. I wished my child could have the same carers always. I miss Puffins. Huge love and respect.
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Review from Katie L (Mother of Child) published on 7 December 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Manston Terrace provides a fantastic, nurturing environment for my son. She has had delayed speech which was picked up through assessments provided by the nursery. They have arranged extra support for him and we are already seeing a difference. The staff are amazing with the children, providing a safe,
fun learning environment. We are very happy with all Manston Terrace provides.
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Review from Shilpa S (Mother of Child) published on 1 December 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
We relocated to England from India during the ongoing pandemic. My 3.5-year-old son did not know to speak English and we were really anxious about how he would adjust. As a family, it was a tough time for us as we were in a new country with an ongoing pandemic. We started his nursery in August. Though
we were really anxious, the manager and staff were really supportive. My son is happy there. He likes the food and he likes the activities. He is particularly happy with the outdoor activities and this was such an important thing for us with all the other issues going around. We are grateful to the staff for taking care of our little one so well. Because of the covid restrictions, parents cannot enter the nursery and we are seeing him off at the door, but from the way some of the staff members are giving us updates about our child every evening, we can feel their involvement with him. He talks very fondly of some of the staff to us.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.907)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.907) out of 10 for Puffins at Manston Terrace is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 19 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 19 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 4.907 for Puffins at Manston Terrace is calculated as follows: ( (208 Excellents x 5) + (15 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 226 Ratings = 4.907
  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 at Manston Terrace is based on 19 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 56 number of registered child places is 11.2, which has been reached with 19 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)

Molly

Molly C

Job Title: Childcare Centre Manager Joined: 2024

Puffins at Manston Terrace have an established team, led by Molly who has worked for Puffins since 2024.


Molly is Level 3 qualified in Childcare and is supported by her Deputy Fern.


The nursery is spread over 3 floors and has our Holiday Club on the top floor. 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.


Molly and Fern 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 at Manston Terrace to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Puffins at Manston Terrace has an Enhanced Service - more info.