Food
Two hot meals daily, provided by Lune + Wild, meeting nutritional guidelines; milk, nappies, and wipes are also provided.
Abacus Ark in London (SW18)
Ofsted: Good
(Apr 2025)
Number of places
85 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2025
Local authority
Wandsworth
About this day nursery
Abacus Ark Nurseries, founded in 2012 by Anthony Ioannou, continues a rich family legacy in early childhood education that spans three generations. Inspired by his grandmother and mother, who also dedicated their lives to nurturing young minds, Anthony established Abacus Ark to blend traditional values of care with a contemporary educational approach.
His wife, Moira, joined the leadership team in 2016, bringing her own expertise to further enhance the nursery's commitment to excellence and a child-centred environment. The nursery prioritises creating a warm, home-like atmosphere where children are encouraged to learn, play, and flourish, growing with confidence, curiosity, and happiness.
Their philosophy integrates the "FIRST Steps" curriculum with STEM, alongside Reggio Emilia and Montessori principles, to foster a holistic development that prepares children for school and life. They aim to empower children as independent, resilient, and confident learners, valuing each child's unique interests and perspectives.
This family-run group is dedicated to providing high-quality care that supports both children and their families, ensuring a strong foundation for future success.
Our ethos
At Abacus Ark, we believe in providing a warm, nurturing, and home-like environment where children learn, play, and thrive. With care at our core, our family-run nursery offers a safe, loving, and stimulating space where every child is cherished like family, growing with confidence, curiosity, and joy. We prioritise building essential life skills like Focus, Independence, Resilience, Social Awareness, and Trustworthiness (FIRST)—key foundations for a bright, successful future. Our Reggio Emilia-inspired pedagogy ensures every child feels seen, heard, and valued. We celebrate the richness of their ideas and support their natural desire to learn, fostering a lifelong love of discovery and growth.
What it's like
Children flourish in this nurturing setting, forming strong bonds with key people and benefitting from warm, responsive care that uses routines as learning opportunities. A thoughtfully planned environment and a wide range of play activities motivate children to learn and support strong progress across all areas of development.
Family-runReggio Emilia-inspiredMontessori principlesSTEM-focused curriculumNutritional meals provided
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Request pricing →Key facts
Opening hours
Open on Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.30pm, for 50 weeks of the year, and is closed on public bank holidays.
Age range
6 months to 5 years
Term time / All Year
All Year
Session types
Full day
Established
2015
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Abacus Ark
Last inspected 10 April 2025 · Jenny Selvakumaran
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 flourish in this nurturing setting, forming strong bonds with key people and benefitting from warm, responsive care that uses routines as learning opportunities. A thoughtfully planned environment and a wide range of play activities motivate children to learn and support strong progress across all areas of development.
Inspector highlights
- Children flourish in a nurturing setting and form strong bonds with their key person.
- Thoughtfully planned environment and wide range of play opportunities support strong progress across all areas of development.
- Staff use care routines as opportunities for warm, responsive interactions.
- Staff support communication and language using visuals, games and roleplay.
- Leaders have a clear vision and focus on continuous improvement with strong parental involvement.
Areas to develop
- 1support staff to consistently address conflicts and implement behaviour management strategies so that children learn how their actions affect others
- 2review the delivery of group times, including activities and routines, to ensure they meet the needs of all children.
Inspection #10375963 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provisionPositive
The setting works with other professionals to provide specialised support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff set targets and work with parents to help children make good progress and share effective strategies with local schools to ensure continuity and smooth transitions.
Outdoor space
Toddlers build strength and coordination through daily walks to the local park. Older children create their own obstacle courses with hoops and balance blocks to encourage movement and balance.
Parent Reviews of Abacus Ark
4.7
(14)
Leoni Daniel
5 years ago
After visiting Abacus Ark Wandsworth(Riverside) we knew we wanted to send our son here, its amazing, we absolutely love it here. My son is nearly 4 years old and the progress he has made here is incredible. The staff are warm and friendly and make a great effort to get to know the family as well as the children. Every day my son is excited to arrive at nursery to see his friends and teachers and tells us all the activities and fun he has had throughout the day. Even during Covid Abacus Ark were exceptional, keeping constant contact with parents, all children could attend various online classes from music to Yoga which was provided at no extra cost. My son starts school in September and the staff have been excellent at preparing the children for this big change. As such I would highly recommend this nursery for all the reasons above and more. Thank you Abacus Ark
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Nadine Mason
7 years ago
The staff at Abacus Ark have created a welcoming, safe and supportive environment for our daughter who attends the nursery full time. She has developed a long lasting relationship with the teachers and staff members. They have nurtured her throughout her years at the nursery and I cannot thank the teachers for their expertise in helping to shape and encourage her interests. As a teacher, I am impressed by the curriculum provided and the numerous opportunities and activities my daughter experiences every day. After a long day at work it always brings a smile to my face as she comes running to tell me what she has done with her teachers and friends at nursery. She constantly plays games, sings songs and shares her experiences and learning journey with us at home. It is comforting to see her developing, learning and refining skills everyday. Thank you again for making it a little easier going to work each day knowing my daughter is in good hands!
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Heather Pendlebury
7 years ago
Abacus Ark nursery has an innovative way of teaching children basic skills for the life ahead of them and provides great nursery level education. Everything from basic language skills to learning about the food they eat is delivered in a professional manner. I cannot thank the staff enough for their constant hard work and dedication to the children in their care.
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S Helm
6 years ago
this nursery is absolutely amazing, we joined Abacus Ark after we had a bad experience with a chain nursery, we fell in love with the environment and the care for the children at Abacus Ark. The reason we knew it was a great nursery is because the children were always so happy and cant buy that! We have always had 1st class service from Anthony and Teresa, thank you for making us and out little girl happy
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Reece Harrod
7 years ago
Our daughter loved Abacus Ark! The staff and other families are what really makes this nursery special. She’s grown into a confident little girl and learnt so much. Thank you!
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Abacus Ark. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: July 2016
- April 2025Good
- May 2019Good
- July 2016Good
Frequently asked about Abacus Ark
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