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The Ark Children Centre

Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2024)
·
5.0(4 parent reviews) ·Evelyn Street, Deptford, SE8 5RB · Lewisham
Number of places
27 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2024
Local authority
Lewisham

About this day nursery

The Ark Children Centre in Deptford offers a nurturing, secure, and stimulating environment for young children. Their philosophy centers on the belief that a happy and safe child will thrive across all developmental areas: social, emotional, physical, and intellectual.

The centre provides diverse classes tailored to meet the specific development needs of each child, with highly professional and trained educators and support staff. They emphasise the importance of play areas for fostering imagination, problem-solving, and social skills, as well as promoting physical dexterity and health.

The Ark Children Centre is committed to making childcare accessible and transparent, guiding families through various funding options available from 9 months to school age. They also encourage parent participation in children's enrichment activities and school trips, fostering a strong partnership between home and nursery.

The centre prides itself on effective communication, providing parents with daily updates on their child's progress, activities, and well-being.

Our ethos

The Ark Children Centre's philosophy centers on the belief that a happy and safe child will thrive across all developmental areas. They emphasize the importance of play areas for fostering imagination, problem-solving, and social skills, and are committed to making childcare accessible and transparent with strong parent partnerships.

What it's like

Children at this nursery are highly independent and keen to participate in all aspects of the daily routine. They enjoy the activities and experiences that staff plan for them and apply themselves fully to their learning. Children's experience at nursery helps them to acquire the skills they need for a successful move to the next stage in their learning, including starting school.

Government-funded childcare acceptedFocus on social, emotional, physical and intellectual developmentTailored classes for different age groupsEmphasis on play-based learning

Pricing & funding

This nursery does not charge registration fees, deposits, or top-up fees. Funded places are available, with optional charges for nursery meals, extra activities, and additional hours outside of funded sessions. Parents can also choose to provide packed lunches to avoid meal costs.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • No registration fees, deposits, or top-up fees are charged.
  • Funded hours do not cover meals, nappies, wipes, sun cream, trips, or extra activities.
  • Parents can provide packed lunches instead of paying for nursery meals.
  • No fee is required as a condition of accessing a funded place.

Key facts

Food

Parents may provide packed lunches, or purchase nursery meals as an optional extra.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6.15pm

Age range

9 months to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2015

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Ark Children Centre

Last inspected 9 February 2024 · Trina Lynskey

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 at this nursery are highly independent and keen to participate in all aspects of the daily routine. They enjoy the activities and experiences that staff plan for them and apply themselves fully to their learning. Children's experience at nursery helps them to acquire the skills they need for a successful move to the next stage in their learning, including starting school.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are highly independent and keen to participate in all aspects of the daily routine.
  • The manager has a clear vision for the nursery and has ambitious aspirations for children and staff.
  • Children can access a range of well planned and interesting activities, both indoors and outside.
  • The manager and her team have developed good working relationships with local partners.
  • The manager has developed a cohesive and highly effective programme to improve children's oral health.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen supervision arrangements to help staff reflect on their practice, in order to fully enhance their skills and abilities to the highest level.
Inspection #10305163 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

parents say they like the 'family feel' of this small nursery

They say their children benefit from the close relationships children have with their key person and other members of the staff team

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff support children who speak English as an additional language or children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well at this nursery. The manager, also the nursery special educational needs coordinator, works with parents and partner agencies to ensure that appropriate support is sought when required.

Outdoor space

Children can access a range of well planned and interesting activities, both indoors and outside in the garden. The manager has carefully considered how to deliver a range of learning opportunities by using all available space outside. Children have space to climb and run to extend their physical mobility. They can also explore natural materials, sand, water and messy play.

Parent Reviews of The Ark Children Centre

5.0
(4)
Brenda Busari
2 years ago

My daughter currently attends this nursery and it has been nothing short of a God send and a blessing. It has a family like feel especially as you relate with all the nursery staff. The nursery encourages parents to engage in the various activities such smoothie making sessions and trips to the farm etc. I have seen my daughter thrive, her vocabulary has improved and her confidence through the roof. She is a strong character but her strengths have been encouraged and celebrated. Grateful to all the hard work from the staff and a special shout out to Ms Bukola the nursery manager.

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Sharmine Musabbir
2 years ago

My daughter has been attending the nursery since the age of 1, and she has developed in her learning, so much so that everyone who meets her is in awe of her extended vocabulary, her knowledge of her environment and other cultures. Parents are always encouraged to engage and it’s always nice seeing what the children get up to. Miss Bukola’s ability to instil her experience, vision and drive into her staff is exceptional. They have created a home away from home for young children and I am so grateful for everything the nursery has done for my daughter. It has really set the foundations of my daughter’s learning and provided her with the confidence to grow amongst her peers. Thank you Miss Bukola, Tenen & Carly! You really are an asset to the community!

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Victoria Appiah-Kubi
2 years ago

I'm very happy with the Ark Children's Centre in Deptford. In 2018, I needed trustworthy childcare urgently and was really worried. My first provider closed and the following two, I was not too happy with. One day I came across a flyer for the Ark Children's Centre and went on to make an appointment. The nursery manager was very very personable, professional and took onboard my ambition for childcare for my young children (aged 2 and 1). I am pleased to have had my first two children go to the Ark until school age. Now in 2024, even though I have moved 12 miles away from the Ark, I enrolled my third child (1 year old) as childcare I can trust is very important to me. I will always recommend the Ark Children's Centre as a safe and friendly nursery environment for little bubbas, having had three children enrolled.

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Deji Adeniji
8 years ago

excellent atmosphere for learning, neat, well furnished, friendly teachers

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Reviews from Google for The Ark Children Centre. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: February 2018

  • February 2024Good
  • February 2018Good

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