Session types
9am – midday, Midday – 3pm, 8am – 9am, 3pm – 5pm, School day (9am - 3pm), Full Day (8am - 5pm), Wrap around (8am - 9am and 3pm - 5pm)
Ark Start, Oval
Ofsted: Good
(Mar 2023)
Number of places
39 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2023
Local authority
Croydon
About this day nursery
Ark Start offers early years education across several London nurseries, founded by experienced educators dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment. The nursery prioritises making high-quality childcare accessible and affordable for all families, championing both flexible attendance patterns and the transparent breakdown of costs.
Their curriculum is carefully designed to foster growth, confidence, and school readiness, rooted in research and the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. Children engage in a vocabulary-rich learning experience, enhanced by a diverse range of enriching activities that extend beyond the classroom, including community interactions and outdoor exploration.
Ark Start emphasizes strong partnerships with families, offering support and guidance to ensure every child receives the best possible start.
Our ethos
Rooted in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, Ark Start provides a vocabulary-rich learning experience designed to foster growth, confidence, and school readiness. They aim to make high-quality, accessible, and affordable childcare available to all families through a curriculum enhanced by diverse activities, community interactions, and outdoor exploration. Ark Start also emphasizes strong partnerships with families, offering support and guidance.
What it's like
The nursery offers children rich opportunities to play and learn. Staff know children well, which helps them to feel safe and settled. The nursery focuses on personal, social and emotional development, giving children the tools to progress through life and education.
Flexible and affordable daycareVocabulary-rich curriculumStrong parent partnershipsFocus on school readinessScreen-free, outdoor learning
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
- Lunch and snacks (School Day)£2.55 / day
- Snacks only (School Day - packed lunch)£0.40 / day
- Breakfast, lunch, tea and snacks (Full Day)£3.60 / day
- Snacks only (Full Day - packed lunch)£0.60 / day
Key facts
Waitlist
To apply for a place, select your preferred nursery and fill the enquiry form. A member of our team will be in touch to arrange a visit and guide you through the application process.
Opening hours
8am – 5pm every day. Closed for 3 weeks a year and for bank holidays.
Term time / All Year
All Year
Established
2021
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Ark Start, Oval
Last inspected 21 March 2023 · Zoe Duggan
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
The nursery offers children rich opportunities to play and learn. Staff know children well, which helps them to feel safe and settled. The nursery focuses on personal, social and emotional development, giving children the tools to progress through life and education.
Inspector highlights
- Staff develop children's communication well, using a variety of methods to interact, including sign language for non-verbal children.
- The nursery promotes school readiness by encouraging children to be independent, such as dressing themselves.
- Staff pay special attention to teachable moments, getting children to think about their feelings and those around them.
- Routines are embedded, giving children a sense of security, and staff model positive behaviour and respect.
- The nursery works hard to promote positive relationships through stay-and-play sessions, sharing information via an online application, and working with outside agencies.
Areas to develop
- 1give children time and space to allow them to think and process their thoughts and ideas
- 2review the planning and implementation of adult-led activities to ensure that they capture children's interests and build on their existing knowledge.
Inspection #10280958 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Key workers help children progress by concentrating on specific learning needs. Staff also spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs.
Outdoor space
The outside space is thoughtfully resourced, with loose parts and open-ended play materials. This encourages imagination as well as physical development, such as children working together to construct a pirate ship.
Parent Reviews of Ark Start, Oval
4.6
(9)
Razie Beitiuieva
4 months ago
We are very happy with this kindergarten. My child Suleiman has just started attending, and it’s only the second day, but the positive changes are already noticeable. He is very happy, excited, and goes there with pleasure. Our family uses four languages, so communication has always been a bit challenging for him, but in just two days I have noticed that he has started using new words, which makes me incredibly happy. I am truly grateful to the teachers and the entire team — educators, managers, and administration — for their care and support. From the very beginning, they give great attention to every parent, offer guidance, and never leave you feeling alone during the adaptation process. The teachers are very gentle, attentive, and genuinely caring toward the children. Thank you to the whole team for creating such a warm, supportive, and professional environment.
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Vashtiana Cole
5 months ago
I was apprehensive about attending this nursery as I knew nothing about it. However once my child stepped through they learned my child and grew with him. Staff here have a love of children and enjoy their rewarding job! My child is sad when he cannot go to nursery! Comes out smiling telling me all about his day!
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Eva Ali
3 years ago
My eldest son previously went in their preschool. he was very nervous at first, used to cry all the time but eventually the staff helped him and enjoyed every moment there. The staff are very understanding, friendly and professional! My youngest son goes play and stay session, helping him social with other children and explore, have fun, reading books, singing nursery rhymes. I'll be gladly send my youngest son there soon to start and have a great start of early years. Highly recommend this nursery to anyone that's looking for a good one! And knows what they're doing. 👌🏼
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Emily Tomkins
3 years ago
Such a lovely Nursery with such lovely staff. My son has been enjoying the stay and play for just under a year and it is such a lovely start to his nursery experience. He is comfortable and confident within the setting and it’s all thanks to the lovely staff who are so wonderful and welcoming.
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Manuela Marfo-Mensah
4 years ago
My daughter loves going to nursery, she has learnt so much since attending in all areas of her development. Amazing staff, Great indoor and outdoor environment and an extra space on the meadow for forest school sessions.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Ark Start, Oval. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Most recent inspection
21 March 2023
Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.
View full Ofsted reportFrequently asked about Ark Start, Oval
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