Business Details
15 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare & Early Education in Exmouth
Established in 2011, Dolphin Preschool & Nursery has provided exceptional childcare and early education in Exmouth, Devon. Our team of highly qualified professionals delivers play-based learning for children aged 3 months to 5 years, operating 51 weeks annually with flexible hours from 7:30am to 6:00pm. We maintain a 1:3 staff-to-child ratio in baby rooms and 1:8 in preschool, following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework under Ofsted registration. Our purpose-built facility features dedicated learning zones, outdoor play areas, and a home-cooked meal service prepared daily.We implement a key person system for personalized development tracking and maintain transparent communication with parents through daily diaries and biannual progress reviews. Our commitment to exceeding statutory requirements includes enhanced DBS checks for all staff and continuous professional development training. We accept government funding for eligible children while maintaining rigorous safety protocols for all activities, including off-site excursions.
Services
Early Years Education
Flexible Childcare Hours
Government-Funded Places
Home-Cooked Meal Service
Outdoor Learning Activities
Key Person System
Transition Support
Special Educational Needs
Parent Communication
Child Protection Policies
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- We offer 10+ years' experience in early years education with qualified staff exceeding statutory requirements
- Our flexible childcare hours accommodate working parents with discounted rates for extended daily sessions
- We accept government funding while maintaining high staff-to-child ratios across all age groups
- Our purpose-built facility includes dedicated learning zones and secure outdoor play areas
- We provide daily home-cooked meals with specialist dietary requirements management
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Exceptional childcare
Loving environment
Highly recommend
Amazing team
Happy children
Services
Early Years Education
Structured educational programs following the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Qualified staff deliver age-appropriate activities covering seven learning areas, including literacy, mathematics, and personal development. Daily planned sessions encourage creativity and social interaction while preparing children for formal schooling.
Flexible Childcare
Childcare services operating 51 weeks annually with flexible daily hours from 7:30am to 6:00pm. Discounted rates apply for sessions exceeding eight hours, accommodating working parents' schedules while maintaining consistent care standards across all timeframes.
Government Funding
Eligible families access government-funded childcare places for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds. We administer 11-22 weekly hours of funded care with minimal service charges covering additional resources, ensuring accessibility while maintaining educational quality.
Home-Cooked Meals
Daily prepared meals using locally sourced ingredients meet children's dietary requirements. Nutritionally balanced menus follow Children's Food Trust guidelines, with vegetarian options and specialist dietary accommodations managed in partnership with parents.
Outdoor Learning
Secure outdoor spaces facilitate physical development and sensory exploration. Structured garden activities include mud kitchen play, water experiments, and nature-based learning across age-specific zones with safety-certified equipment.
People
Mellissa Bartlett
Owner / Manager
Early years specialist with over a decade of nursery leadership experience. Former childminder who established Dolphin in 2011 to combine home-style care with professional nursery standards. Oversees daily operations and educational quality assurance.
Paul Bartlett
Finance Director
Responsible for financial compliance and administrative systems since 2011. Manages HR processes, payroll, and regulatory compliance while supporting strategic development of the nursery's operational infrastructure.
Questions
What childcare funding options do you accept?
We accept government funding for eligible 2, 3, and 4-year-olds, including 11 and 22-hour weekly options. Additional service charges cover resources and staff wages.
What are your operating hours?
We operate 51 weeks annually from 7:30am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday, closing only for Christmas/New Year and Bank Holidays.
How do you support child development?
Our EYFS-compliant curriculum uses play-based learning across seven developmental areas with qualified staff maintaining optimal staff-to-child ratios.
What safety measures are in place?
Enhanced DBS checks for all staff, secure facilities with controlled access, and rigorous safety protocols for all activities including off-site excursions.
How do you communicate with parents?
Daily updates through key person system, biannual parent evenings, All About Me development books, and regular communication diaries tracking each child's progress.
What special dietary requirements can you accommodate?
Our kitchen provides tailored meals for all dietary needs, including allergies and cultural preferences, with menus developed in partnership with parents.
Reviews (4)
Jessica Sanders
Oct 31, 2020
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Such a wonderful nursery! Initially, I was very worried about sending my son to nursery but the guys at Dolphin really reassured me and went above and beyond to ease us in. They have been so amazing and now, just six weeks on, my son has settled in so well and has really taken to his key worker, who is great! I cannot recommend highly enough.
Natalie Saunders
Sep 21, 2019
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I am so pleased that we chose The Dolphin for our son. It was such a big decision but we have never looked back. Since staring there, our son has been so well looked after. The staff are amazing and work very hard. Mel and Paul are always happy to help out if we need to alter or add days. I would highly recommend The Dolphin to any parents looking for childcare.
Rosie Taylor
Aug 16, 2019
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Our little girl has been attending the Dolphin for 18 months now and really enjoys it. She really enjoy the daily activities and they have helped with her development and her confidence has come on leaps and bounds. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. A big thumbs up from us!
Charlotte Cozens
Jul 09, 2019
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Abel has been going to dolphin for a couple months now. He has come on so much! Getting independent with eating and enjoying interaction with other children. The activities are amazing and always have a book full of photos from the day.
Considering he only goes 1 day a week and not even all day, he runs off straight away when we go to nursery. The staff are always so welcoming & friendly. I find myself staying longer just chatting. Its so nice to know the setting and people that my boy is in and cant fault a thing. Highly recommend this amazing nursery. Big shout out to Corinne, Nicole
Considering he only goes 1 day a week and not even all day, he runs off straight away when we go to nursery. The staff are always so welcoming & friendly. I find myself staying longer just chatting. Its so nice to know the setting and people that my boy is in and cant fault a thing. Highly recommend this amazing nursery. Big shout out to Corinne, Nicole
