Mama Bear's Day Nursery
OutstandingBirth to 5Long established
A day nursery in Torquay for children from birth to 5, open 07:30 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in October 2022. Open since 2012, with 30 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 Torbay
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Torbay 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
TQ1 4PAWhat 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, 5 October 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
There is a clear curriculum intent. Staff are extremely knowledgeable in resourcing the environment to extend learning. Opportunities for new learning to be practised and remembered are provided. For example, children are immersed in enjoyable number-based activities through stories shared, actions performed, exploring objects, counting cups at snack time and counting fruit and vegetables in their play. Children readily explore this mathematical knowledge with confidence and excitement. When counting fruit, children exclaim, 'I have the most' and, 'I have more than you because I got three and you have two.' Staff ensure both the indoor and outdoor environments are engaging and help develop children's abilities to solve problems.
Children and staff have excellent relationships with each other that fully support learning and development. Staff have high expectations for every child and the children all thrive. Staff show warmth and understanding and strive to ensure they meet every need of every child. Children feel safe and secure in the environment.
Children are enthusiastic to learn and are confident exploring resources independently. The environment is carefully thought about by staff and it supports children to flourish in their play. Resources are set out by staff to develop curiosity in children. For example, children excitedly play with various flower petals in their water play while concocting potions. Staff are commendable role models, which results in children showing superb behaviour, where they are consistently kind and considerate of each other.
- 5 October 2022Outstanding
- 6 December 2016Good
- 11 January 2013Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Mama Bear's Day Nursery
- 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.