Nurseries in Exeter
Exeter is a growing cathedral city and university hub with strong transport links and a wide choice of early years settings. Covering postcode districts EX1–EX4 and parts of EX5, it includes family neighbourhoods such as Heavitree, St Thomas, Countess Wear and Pinhoe. Families benefit from rail links to London, the M5 and A30, parks, riverside walks, libraries, children’s centres and well-regarded schools. Nursery and preschool demand is particularly high around major employment areas, hospitals, universities and commuter corridors.
Parents in Exeter typically pay £73 per day for childcare, which is slightly 3% lower than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £73
- Comparison
- -3% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 5,230 places
Nurseries near you in Exeter
Frequently Asked Questions
In Exeter, private nurseries often accept children from around 3 months old, depending on staffing and availability. School and council nurseries typically offer places from age 2 or 3. Funded early education begins the term after your child turns 3, with some 2 year olds eligible earlier depending on household circumstances or parental work status.
Across England all 3 and 4 year olds receive 15 funded hours per week with many working families eligible for up to 30 hours. Some 2 year olds also qualify based on household circumstances, and eligible working parents of children from 9 months old may access funded childcare. Tax Free Childcare provides a 20 percent government top up to help with nursery costs.
Nursery fees in Exeter generally range from £65–£120 per day, with higher rates close to the city centre, hospitals, business parks and university areas where demand is strongest.
All nurseries in Exeter are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by Devon County Council.
Ask about opening hours for shift and commuter work, waiting lists, how funded hours are stretched across the year, and whether there are additional charges for meals, nappies or early drop-off and late pick-up.
Applying for funding
Exeter is covered by Devon County Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Devon County Council website
