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M-F 7:30 am-5:30 pm
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Early Education and Care in Exeter, NH

Our school is more than a daycare. Through purposeful play and nurturing guidance, we help lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Right down the road from Main Street Elementary School and Little River Conservation Area, we are conveniently located on McKay Drive. Come by and see Balanced Learning® in action.
child in daycare classroom

Every Moment Matters

  • The components of our Balanced Learning® approach are intentionally aligned to create developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
  • Your child will stay engaged all day with the right balance of child-initiated and teacher-guided learning experiences.
  • Our students learn the foundational skills to develop Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts® that will forge a path to a brighter future.

A Day in The Life at Primrose

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Early Morning

Circle Time

Each day begins with a warm welcome as children gather to build a strong sense of community and belonging.

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Mid-Morning

Noggin Joggin’

Through thought-provoking discussions, children are encouraged to wonder, predict and think critically.

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Late Morning

Harmony & Heart

Children discover the joy of music, melody and self-expression as they sing, dance and play instruments.

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Early Afternoon

Small Group

Teachers build meaningful relationships while offering individualized support, encouragement and challenges.

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Early Afternoon

Wonder Times

Wonder students explore concepts through hands-on investigations, thoughtful conversations, songs and more.

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Mid-Afternoon

Small Group Literacy

Venture students find their voice and express their ideas through drawing, writing, storytelling and bookmaking.

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Late-Afternoon

Thumbs Up!

Children build coordination, balance and body awareness while practicing teamwork and healthy habits.

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Late-Afternoon

Reflections of the Day

Children come together to celebrate their learning, share discoveries and reflect on the day’s experiences.

Primrose School of Exeter Owner

Franchise Owner

Brandon and Chelsey Derry

Welcome to Primrose School of Exeter!

We are Chelsey and Brandon Derry, and we are honored to bring Primrose’s premier early education and care to the children and families of Exeter and the surrounding New Hampshire communities.

Since opening Primrose School of Exeter nearly 2.5 years ago, we’ve been committed to offering the highest quality early education and care for our community’s children, guided by the principles of Primrose’s unique Balanced Learning® approach.

Before becoming owners of Primrose School of Exeter, we both proudly served in the United States Air Force, where we met. After Chelsey completed her service, she transitioned to a successful career in finance, working for several organizations across the country and in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire. Throughout her career, she focused on helping small, local businesses achieve financial growth while being an active member of her community and a dedicated mother. Brandon continues to serve in the New Hampshire Air National Guard and earned his MBA from the University of New Hampshire. His career has been focused on aviation and community support, culminating in his role as a Program Manager for General Electric.

Upon returning to New England after completing our active-duty commitments, we faced the challenge of finding high-quality childcare that would support our children’s physical, mental, and social development. It was during this search that we discovered Primrose Schools and immediately knew it was the perfect fit for our family. The Balanced Learning® approach resonated deeply with us, and after experiencing it firsthand, we became passionate about bringing this exceptional early education to our community.

Our goal is simple: to provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn and grow through Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts®—all while giving parents peace of mind knowing their children are receiving the best education and care possible.

We are excited to be part of this incredible community and look forward to supporting your family’s journey with us!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are all staff members background-checked and CPR/first-aid certified?

Yes. Every Primrose staff member undergoes a thorough background check before joining our school. All staff are also CPR and first–aid certified, so you can feel confident your child is in safe, prepared hands every day.

What curriculum or educational philosophy do you follow?

Our school uses the proprietary Primrose Schools Balanced Learning® curriculum, which is research-informed and designed to nurture the whole child — intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically. We believe in balancing teacher-guided learning with purposeful play to build a strong foundation for the future.

How do you support school readiness and the transition to kindergarten? 

All of our programs are designed in age-appropriate ways to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond. We focus on early literacy and numeracy as well as social-emotional skill development — so children arrive at kindergarten confident and ready to thrive. 96% of Primrose Schools Pre-K students met ASQ benchmarks for problem solving.*

What are your hours of operation? 

We are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am-5:30 pm.

How do you keep parents informed about their child's day?

Connecting school to home is one of the ways we help children thrive. We use the Procare app to share daily updates and photos so you stay connected to your child’s joy, learning and special moments

Do you accept state childcare assistance?

Yes! Primrose School of Exeter proudly accepts New Hampshire State Child Care Scholarship assistance. Families receiving state assistance are responsible for paying the difference between the amount covered by the state and our school’s weekly tuition rate.

Does Primrose School of Exeter provide meals and snacks?

Yes! At Primrose School of Exeter, we have a dedicated in-house chef who prepares nutritious, balanced meals and snacks for our students each day. Our menus are thoughtfully planned to support healthy eating habits and provide children with the nourishment they need to learn, play, and grow.

Food safety is a top priority. Our chef and teaching team follow established food handling, preparation, and allergy management procedures to help prevent cross-contact and reduce the risk of allergic reactions. We work closely with families to understand each child’s dietary needs, food allergies, and restrictions to help provide a safe and inclusive dining experience.

Families are welcome to learn more about our menus, meal program, and food allergy procedures during their school tour.

How does Primrose School of Exeter support children's developmental milestones?

Our teachers observe and support children’s growth across multiple developmental areas, including communication, physical development, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills. We also use age-appropriate developmental assessment tools to help guide learning and support each child’s individual progress.

Our family would love to meet yours.

Contact us to schedule a tour.
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© 2026 Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. We will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable registration and disclosure requirements in your jurisdiction. Contact Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC, 3200 Windy Hill Road SE, Suite 1200E, Atlanta, GA 30339, to request a copy of our FDD.

*Study was conducted on a representative sample of Primrose Pre-Kindergarten students across twelve Primrose schools in nine states in the Spring of 2024. The Bracken School Readiness Assessment 4th Edition assesses children’s school readiness in terms of their understanding of concepts that are strongly related to early childhood cognitive and language development as well as early academic achievement.

**Based upon recent assessments of approximately 3,900 Primrose students aged 4 screened using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition during the 2024-2025 school year. Ages & Stages Questionnaires® and ASQ® are registered trademarks of Paul H Brookes Publishing Co, Inc.