Bright Start Early Years
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Barnstaple for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 17:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in March 2022. Open since 2015, with 35 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Devon
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Devon from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
EX31 4AZWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 9 March 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are very happy and settled in this setting. They are warmly welcomed by cheerful staff. Children are keen and curious to explore the resources and activities available. Pre-school children have good friendships and enjoy the company of others. They play cooperatively together and are confident to share resources and take turns in their play. For example, children build a challenging obstacle course and show delight in their success as they skilfully negotiate to the end. Babies and toddlers have trusting relationships with the attentive staff who care for them.
They share giggles and cuddles during story time.
Staff give children plenty of praise and encouragement and are positive role models. Children's behaviour is very good. Staff have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- continue to strengthen the professional development in place for all staff to further develop the curriculum n build on plans to provide better assistance and direction for parents and/or carers to further support their children's learning and development at home.
- 9 March 2022Good
- 15 September 2021Inadequate
- 8 October 2019Inadequate
Rated Good or Outstanding at 1 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Bright Start Early Years
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.