Best 3 Nursery schools in Devon – comparison

Q: How are these comparisons built?

We align public datasets side-by-side. Headline Ofsted judgement and publication date are shown when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; free users see rounded values.

Q: What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded Section 8 visits do not replace the last graded judgement. We continue to show the latest graded judgement until a new graded inspection is published.

Q: Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are Pro features. Everyone can still compare approximate values.

Q: How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then consider distance and travel, roll versus capacity, and the admissions policy. Visit the school, ask about pastoral support and enrichment, and ensure it fits your child’s needs.

Q: What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; review capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and look at trust or local authority governance. Read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding details.

Comparison of nursery schools: West Exe Nursery School - Exeter Nursery Schools Federation (Nursery) in Exeter; Chestnut Nursery School - Exeter Nursery Schools Federation (Nursery) in Exeter; Ham Drive Nursery School and Day Care (Nursery) in Plymouth — covering Ofsted outcomes, size, FSM%, governance, capacity & more.

At a glance

This page compares West Exe Nursery School - Exeter Nursery Schools Federation, Chestnut Nursery School - Exeter Nursery Schools Federation and Ham Drive Nursery School and Day Care. They are nursery phase and local authority nursery school type located around Exeter, Devon and Plymouth, Devon. The strongest headline Ofsted judgement here is 1 (West Exe Nursery School - Exeter Nursery Schools Federation), published Mar 2013. The lowest is 2 (Chestnut Nursery School - Exeter Nursery Schools Federation), published Jan 2018. The most recent inspection on record is for Chestnut Nursery School - Exeter Nursery Schools Federation (Jan 2018). average roll around ≈ 100, combined total ≈ 300, typical FSM 10–15%, range 0–5%–30–35%; across local authorities including Devon and Plymouth.

🔒 Export (Pro)

Attribute	West Exe Nursery School - Exeter Nursery Schools Federation EX4 1HL	Chestnut Nursery School - Exeter Nursery Schools Federation EX2 6DJ	Ham Drive Nursery School and Day Care PL2 2NJ
Phase / Type	Nursery • Local authority nursery school	Nursery • Local authority nursery school	Nursery • Local authority nursery school
Location	Exeter Devon EX4 1HL	Exeter Devon EX2 6DJ	Plymouth Devon PL2 2NJ
Latest Ofsted	1 11 Mar 2013	2 10 Jan 2018	2 5 Jun 2015
Ofsted report	—	—	—
Pupils (roll)	≈ 150 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 50 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 100 🔒 Unlock exact pupils
FSM %	0–5% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	30–35% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	0–5% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %
Capacity	—	—	—
Capacity utilisation	—	—	—
Age range	—	—	—
Gender	Mixed	Mixed	Mixed
Admissions policy	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Trust / Local authority	Devon (878)	Devon (878)	Plymouth (879)
Website	www.westexenurseryschool.org	www.chestnutnursery.co.uk	www.hamdrivenursery.plymouth.sch.uk
Telephone	01392279361	01392690418	01752366389
SEN provision	None reported	None reported	None reported
Profile	View profile	View profile	View profile

West Exe Nursery School - Exeter Nursery Schools Federation

EX4 1HL

Phase / Type: Nursery • Local authority nursery school
Location: Exeter
Devon
EX4 1HL
Ofsted: 1 11 Mar 2013
Pupils: ≈ 150 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 0–5% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: Devon (878)
Website: www.westexenurseryschool.org
Telephone: 01392279361

Chestnut Nursery School - Exeter Nursery Schools Federation

EX2 6DJ

Phase / Type: Nursery • Local authority nursery school
Location: Exeter
Devon
EX2 6DJ
Ofsted: 2 10 Jan 2018
Pupils: ≈ 50 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 30–35% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: Devon (878)
Website: www.chestnutnursery.co.uk
Telephone: 01392690418

Ham Drive Nursery School and Day Care

PL2 2NJ

Phase / Type: Nursery • Local authority nursery school
Location: Plymouth
Devon
PL2 2NJ
Ofsted: 2 5 Jun 2015
Pupils: ≈ 100 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 0–5% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: Plymouth (879)
Website: www.hamdrivenursery.plymouth.sch.uk
Telephone: 01752366389

Map of compared schools

How are these comparisons built?

We line up public school data side-by-side. Ofsted “headline” judgement is shown with the publication date when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; everyone sees rounded values.

What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded visits (Section 8) check whether the previous graded judgement still stands, but do not replace it. We keep the latest graded judgement as the headline until a new graded inspection is published.

Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, we show approximate pupils and bucketed FSM% to free users. Upgrade to AllSchools Pro to unlock precise figures and exports.

How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then check whether it aligns with your child’s needs. Look at distance and travel, typical class sizes (roll vs capacity), and the school’s admissions policy. Speak to the school, arrange a visit, and ask about pastoral support and enrichment.

What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; scan capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and review trust/local authority for governance. If available, read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding detail.