Our Nursery
About Us
Adventurers Nursery in Sylvan Road, Exeter, opened in January 2025 and is beautifully situated, with stunning views across the city and all the way to the Exmouth coastline. Set in the leafy north of the city, we're close to the University of Exeter campus and Pennsylvania Road. We operate from 7:45am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday, and welcome children aged between 3 months and 5 years.
Inspired by The Curiosity Approach®, we believe childhood should be unhurried, meaningful, and filled with awe. Step into Adventurers and your child will be instantly at home — every room carefully presented to invite open play, with skilled practitioners who act as partners and gentle guides rather than directors of learning.
Why Adventurers?
Choosing a nursery is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your child. At Adventurers, we place the child at the heart of everything we do respecting each one as a capable, unique individual, and creating a calm, safe, nurturing space where learning happens through curiosity, not pressure.
When your child is with us, you can be confident they will be cared for with warmth and respect; learn through curiosity and exploration; feel calm, safe, and valued every day; and be supported to grow into a confident, capable individual. We don't rush childhood... we treasure it.
Our Team
Kimberley Lester
Adventurers Nursery Manager
Kimberley has been part of the Devon Nurseries family since 2004, becoming Nursery Manager in 2009 and helping to open Adventurers in January 2025. An Early Years Professional with a degree in Childhood Studies and Level 3 SENDCO training, she believes every child deserves the best start through meaningful play, connection, and love. She's also a qualified baby massage instructor and a proud Devon Nurseries parent.
Sam Mulcahy
Deputy Manager & Department Leader
Sam has been part of the Devon Nurseries family since 2008, starting as a Nursery Assistant at Acorns before progressing to Department Lead. In January 2025 she joined Adventurers as Deputy Manager, bringing the same enthusiasm to a new role: supporting children, families, and staff to feel confident, valued, and inspired every day. She is particularly passionate about supporting children with Special Educational Needs.
Karima Chaqchaq
Department Leader
Karima is a Level 3 qualified Early Years educator and Department Leader at Adventurers. Over four years she has worked with all age groups, from the smallest babies to curious pre-schoolers. For Karima, working with children is more than a career — it's a true passion. She also speaks English, Arabic, and French, which is a wonderful asset to our team and the families we serve.
See For Yourself
Explore our facilities and outdoor spaces, and read our latest Ofsted ratings and reports — everything you need to feel confident in your choice.
Facilities & Outdoor Spaces
Step inside Adventurers and discover the thoughtfully designed spaces where your child will play, learn, and grow — from our calm, inviting rooms to our large garden and outdoor kitchen.
Ofsted Ratings & Reports
We're proud of the care and learning we provide at Adventurers. Read our latest Ofsted reports and see what inspectors had to say about our nursery.