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The Ark Association (2)

Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2025)
·Oakham C of E Primary School, Burley Road, OAKHAM, LE15 6GY · Rutland
Number of places
40 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2025
Local authority
Rutland

About this day nursery

The Ark Association Ltd offers high-quality, flexible, and accessible childcare for children aged three months to five years, with an additional Out of School Club catering to four to eleven-year-olds. Established in Oakham in 1984, the nursery prides itself on creating varied, engaging learning opportunities and prioritising time outdoors.

They utilise the Famly app for capturing "magic moments" and facilitating parent communication. The Ark embraces an open-door policy to foster strong parent partnerships and employs a key worker system to help children settle and build trusting relationships with practitioners.

They provide both year-round and term-time-only care, offering flexible sessions designed to accommodate diverse parental needs. The nursery’s approach to education is inspired by Charlotte Mason, focusing on nurturing individual talents and personalities.

They conduct regular outdoor explorer sessions for pre-schoolers to encourage safe risk-taking and environmental exploration. With a team of long-standing, qualified practitioners ranging from Level 2 to Level 6 BA Hons, The Ark ensures a supportive and stimulating environment for children to learn and develop.

Progress is meticulously tracked, with parents receiving a comprehensive personalised summary of their child's development three times a year. The Princess Avenue site also features a dedicated, homely "Willow Room" for babies, complete with a separate outdoor play area, where individual routines are carefully followed and documented.

Our ethos

The Ark Association Ltd's educational approach is inspired by Charlotte Mason, focusing on nurturing individual talents and personalities. They create varied, engaging learning opportunities, prioritise time outdoors, conduct outdoor explorer sessions for safe risk-taking and environmental exploration, and employ a key worker system to foster trusting relationships. They also value strong parent partnerships through an open-door policy and communication via the Famly app.

What it's like

The inclusive staff offer a warm welcome to children and parents, providing plenty of cuddles and reassurance. Children feel happy and secure, and have a strong sense of belonging, learning self-care skills and growing in independence. These activities help them get ready for their eventual move to school.

Flexible childcare sessionsEmphasis on outdoor learningFamly app for parent communicationExperienced, long-standing teamKey worker system

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged at hourly rates structured by three age bands, effective from April 2025. Funded hours are available for children aged nine months to four years, with hours outside specified times billed separately. Optional charges apply for snacks, breakfast, tea, and monthly consumables.

Funding accepted

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

Good to know

  • A registration fee applies for non-funded children only.
  • Government funding can be used during specified hours, with hours outside these times being chargeable.
  • Before and after school club sessions are available for pupils of Oakham C of E Primary School.
  • Snacks are optional, and parents may alternatively provide their own chopped fruit.
  • Optional breakfast, snack tea, and monthly consumables charges apply based on attendance times.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday between 9am and 3.30pm at Burley Road and 9am and 4pm at Princess Avenue for funded hours.

Session types

Full day, Morning session, Afternoon session, Out of School Club, Hourly sessions

Age range

3 months to 11 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2011

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Ark Association (2)

Last inspected 22 January 2025

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

The inclusive staff offer a warm welcome to children and parents, providing plenty of cuddles and reassurance. Children feel happy and secure, and have a strong sense of belonging, learning self-care skills and growing in independence. These activities help them get ready for their eventual move to school.

Inspector highlights

  • The inclusive staff offer a warm welcome and provide plenty of cuddles and reassurance.
  • Staff ensure all children, including those with SEND, make good progress.
  • Staff work closely with other agencies to support children with additional needs.
  • Children benefit from a wealth of opportunities to explore and learn about the wider world through visits and activities.
  • Children receive daily fresh air and exercise, developing their large-muscle skills and benefiting from good hygiene routines.

Areas to develop

  • 1enhance exchanges of information with parents about what children already know and can do, to inform early planning for specific next steps.
Inspection #10367523 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents say that they value staff's advice, such as how to help children sleep well.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their starting points. Staff work closely with other agencies to support children with additional needs, skilfully identifying gaps in children's learning and providing the necessary support.

Outdoor space

Children develop new skills as staff plan a wide range of fun activities outdoors. For example, children delight in being 'number hunters' in the garden. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise daily, climbing, running, jumping and balancing on equipment in the outdoor play area, and developing large-muscle skills with sit-and-ride toys and balls.

Inspection history

Date: May 2012

  • January 2025Good
  • February 2019Good
  • October 2015Good
  • May 2012Good

Frequently asked about The Ark Association (2)

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more