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Abacus Ark Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2023)
·
4.8(22 parent reviews) ·St Paul's Church, St Johns Hill, London, SW11 1SH · Wandsworth
Number of places
95 places
Age range
1–2 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2023
Local authority
Wandsworth

About this day nursery

Abacus Ark Nursery, a family-operated institution, provides a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can flourish at key developmental stages. Drawing on a rich legacy of early childhood education that spans three generations, the nursery integrates modern, forward-thinking educational philosophies with a strong emphasis on care and community.

They utilise a unique 'FIRST Steps' curriculum, focusing on essential life skills such as focus, independence, resilience, social awareness, and trustworthiness. This is complemented by a Reggio Emilia-inspired pedagogy that values each child's unique interests and perspectives, alongside Montessori principles to foster independence.

The curriculum also incorporates STEM activities to spark curiosity and critical thinking, preparing children for school by building confidence and resilience. Abacus Ark goes beyond academics, offering enriching activities to support holistic development, including music sessions based on the Kodaly Method.

The nursery prioritises convenience for parents by providing flexible hours, nutritious meals prepared in partnership with Lune + Wild, and daily essentials like milk, nappies, and wipes. A dedicated Parent Experience Team and the Famly app ensure continuous communication and support for families, reinforcing their commitment to being a supportive community in each family’s parenting journey.

Our ethos

Abacus Ark Nursery's pedagogy is inspired by Reggio Emilia and Montessori principles, fostering independence and valuing each child's interests and perspectives. They utilise a unique 'FIRST Steps' curriculum to develop essential life skills such as focus, independence, resilience, social awareness, and trustworthiness, alongside STEM activities to spark curiosity and critical thinking. They are committed to holistic development, preparing children for school by building confidence and resilience.

What it's like

Children of all abilities have a wonderful time and are very well cared for by staff who are warm, caring and approachable, which helps them to feel safe and secure. There are plenty of opportunities for children to make choices about their play, promoting decision-making and independence.

Family-runReggio Emilia-inspiredMontessori principlesSTEM integrationKodaly Method for music

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Opening hours

Open each weekday from 7.30am to 6.30pm, except for two weeks during the Christmas period.

Food

Two hot meals provided daily through a partnership with Lune + Wild, and milk is also supplied.

Age range

6 Months - 5 Years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Session types

Full day

Established

2015

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Abacus Ark Nursery

Last inspected 27 July 2023 · Marisol Hernandez-Garn

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children of all abilities have a wonderful time and are very well cared for by staff who are warm, caring and approachable, which helps them to feel safe and secure. There are plenty of opportunities for children to make choices about their play, promoting decision-making and independence.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are very well cared for by warm, caring and approachable staff
  • Children show high levels of social confidence and engage in singing and physical activities
  • Staff support children, including those who speak English as an additional language, using visual props and songs to extend vocabulary
  • Mathematics is strongly featured; staff use numbers and mathematical language spontaneously
  • Strong partnerships with parents and the community, with successful transition processes

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen the support given to staff to ensure that they plan group activities as effectively as possible
  • 2explore other ways of enriching younger children's experiences to support their understanding of the wider world.
Inspection #10301226 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children of all abilities are supported; staff help children, including those who speak English as an additional language, to make rapid progress from their starting points. Staff receive expert guidance from external professionals and have strategies that help children understand their feelings and emotions.

Outdoor space

Managers deploy staff to supervise children indoors and outdoors. The nursery organises outings to the local park and farm.

EAL / language support

Staff help children who speak English as an additional language to make rapid progress using visual props, songs and stories to extend vocabulary.

Parent Reviews of Abacus Ark Nursery

4.8
(22)
Alejandro Alonso
4 months ago

Our baby started nursery at Abacus Ark Babies, in Clapham Junction, and we are truly happy. Her teachers are warm and attentive giving her all the care, love and affection she needs from day one. In addition, we are glad and we do appreciate all the activities that teachers plan accordingly to their age and development; and something which we consider essential for her development too and interest/curiosity is the extra weekly activities such as going out for fresh air, Heartbeeps or Drama - she is really excited about these classes. We couldn't be happier with our decision and we couldn't recommend it more.

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Lynne
a year ago

Our son has been at abacus ark for the last 18 months and we could not he happier with the nursery. He comes home so happy every day, loves all the extra activities drama, singing, library visits and now playball. The staff are attentive, warm and give good daily summaries of what they've been up to. A really great place for him to grow and develop.

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Andy Wilson
2 years ago

My son has been at Abacus Ark Nursery School for the past 8 months and he absolutely adores it. He is excited to meet his teachers every morning, is always happy when we collect him and really loves his classmates. The level of care is exceptional, with regular weekly sessions run by HeartBeeps as well as outings to local parks and even field trips to Farms and parks. Abacus Ark provide daily debriefs on what your child has been doing, their eating habits, activities that they have undertaken and how they have been. This is supported with a mobile app that they also provide regular photos of activities and what your child has been doing. I am particularly impressed with the regular parent-teacher meetings to provide you with in-depth details on your child's progress, areas that you can help to work on for their longer term development and specific skills and motor development for the next 3 months. I've seen his capabilities hugely accelerated as a result of attending the nursery, it's obvious that the education and care that is provided is really helping to stimulate and develop him. When selecting Abacus Ark we reviewed a number of local nurseries, but their friendly approach and great facilities was what won us over. I can't recommend them highly enough.

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Bee
4 years ago

Abacus Ark is truly an outstanding nursery. My son has been attending the nursery for more than 2,5 years since he turned 1 year old. All the staff who has looked after him are so caring and professional. The care and love the children gets from the staff is just incredible. The children learn so much and there are activities like singing, dancing, yoga, rugby etc going on. Such a lovely atmosphere at the nursery. Anthony and his staff really go the extra mile. We are really extremely to have Abacus Ark within walking distance from our house and Clapham Junction station. The parents get updates and pictures via an app and the teacher give the parents a good summary of the day as well. I have recommended Abacus Ark to my friends and they all have very positive feedback as well.

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Miruska B
6 years ago

My daughter has been going there from age of 1. When deciding, we have seen more than 5 different nurseries in the area before making the decision and oh I am so glad we went with Abacus Ark. We love everything about Abacus Ark. All of the staff are loving and passionate about what they do. My daughter loves going there, she has moved through a few different rooms and teachers by now, but they all are equally as good. The setting itself is really great and nurturing environment. I love the Holistic approach they follow and lots of various activities they do including drama and football and kids yoga for older children. My daughter gets all the attention and individual approach she needs and is very happy there so that makes us a very happy parents.

Read on Google

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Inspection history

Date: January 2018

  • July 2023Good
  • January 2018Good

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