Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

The Ark Child Okeford

Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2025)
·
4.7(3 parent reviews) ·St. Nicholas C of E Primary School, Station Road, BLANDFORD FORUM, DT11 8EL · Dorset
Number of places
42 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2025
Local authority
Dorset

About this day nursery

The Ark Child Okeford is a childcare facility situated in the heart of North Dorset, conveniently located between Blandford Forum and Sturminster Newton, on the grounds of St. Nicholas Primary School in Child Okeford village. The nursery operates 50 weeks per year, closing for one week at the end of August and another at Christmas, with opening hours from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

As a community group, it is structured as a company limited by guarantee and functions as a registered charity. The Ark provides distinct environments for different age groups: a Baby Room for up to six infants under two years old, focusing on a calm and homely atmosphere that complements home routines with dedicated key workers; a Toddler Room for up to eight children per session, designed to foster individuality and aid in building relationships; and a Pre-school Room which emphasises making learning enjoyable through a variety of child-led and some adult-led activities covering all areas of development, including construction, mark-making, painting, music, and role-play.

Additionally, "The Raft" offers Before and After School Clubs, along with Holiday Clubs for school-aged children from 5 to 11 years, ensuring comprehensive care and engaging activities.

What it's like

Children are happy and settled in this warm and welcoming nursery, forming strong bonds with staff who provide warm interactions and reassurance. Staff provide exciting learning opportunities and have high expectations for children's learning and behaviour. Children share, take turns, and learn about others' feelings.

Charity-runLocated on primary school groundsOffers wraparound care for school-aged children

Pricing & funding

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

8.00am until 6.00pm for 50 weeks per year, closing for one week at the end of August and one week at Christmas.

Session types

Baby Room, Toddler Room, Pre-school, Breakfast Club, After School Club, Holiday Club

Age range

Babies under 2 years to 11 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Ark Child Okeford

Last inspected 26 February 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

Children are happy and settled in this warm and welcoming nursery, forming strong bonds with staff who provide warm interactions and reassurance. Staff provide exciting learning opportunities and have high expectations for children's learning and behaviour. Children share, take turns, and learn about others' feelings.

Inspector highlights

  • The setting provides a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all the children.
  • Staff support children's language development and literacy well, clearly explaining the context and meaning of words.
  • Staff are attentive to babies wants and needs, providing appropriate resources to support and extend their interests.
  • Children behave well, and staff provide appropriate strategies to support conflict resolution.
  • The nursery is reflective and proactive in identifying areas for improvement, implementing training for staff to make mealtimes more purposeful and joyful.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff working with younger children to implement the curriculum for mathematics in a way that helps all children to develop their confidence and skills.
Inspection #10380846 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

parents report that their children ask them to upload photos from home to the online app to share with their key person in the nursery.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Children learn how to manage risks for themselves as they balance on planks outside. Staff help children to identify potential hazards, such as where the larger puddles may be and if the grass might be 'slippery' due to lots of rain. Children enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise to help keep them fit and healthy.

Parent Reviews of The Ark Child Okeford

4.7
(3)

Reviews from Google for The Ark Child Okeford. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: May 2009

  • February 2025Good
  • June 2019Good
  • August 2015Good
  • May 2009Outstanding

Frequently asked about The Ark Child Okeford

Nearby day nurseries in BLANDFORD FORUM

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to The Ark Child Okeford.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

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