Mama Bear's Day Nursery
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Plymouth for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 19:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in March 2023. Open since 2015, with 29 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 Plymouth
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Plymouth 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
PL6 5BXWhat 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.
- 31 October 2024 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 20 May 2024 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 20 March 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children settle quickly on arrival, and they feel safe and secure. They develop a good awareness of their emotions. Staff ask the pre-school children, 'How do you feel today?' Pre-school children welcome each other in different languages. This supports them in learning about the wider world. Children sit together on the carpet and say 'hello' in French, Hebrew and Spanish.
All children learn about 'golden rules' at the nursery. Staff remind children to use their 'kind hands' and 'walking feet'. Children learn about respect for themselves, their friends and the environment. Staff ask pre-school children, 'What will happen if we don't tidy up?' Children respond positively. They have the opportunity to think about consequences and make decisions that are best for everyone.
There is an ambitious curriculum in place. Staff establish children's starting points in collaboration with parents. Key persons build on these effectively as children progress through the nursery. Parents receive termly updates on children's progress. They praise the communication they receive from the nursery and the manager. Staff send activities home to support children's learning and personal development. Parents feel that staff go above and beyond.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- develop ways to build on what toddlers know and can do, to extend their learning further n review pre-school routines to help children to access the outside area more easily and quickly n develop the outdoor area to inspire and motivate children to enhance their learning and development.
- 20 March 2023Good
- 27 October 2017Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 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.