--- title: "The Ark, Cheltenham — Rated Good by Ofsted | Nursery Advice" description: "The Ark, a nursery in Cheltenham — Rated Good by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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They have been great in creating a personal and homely environment for her. She is thriving there due to the broad range of facilities and activities offered.\nI have found her development skills & confidence has grown leaps and bounds whilst also making some great friends.\nThe management is very understanding, personable yet professional. Overall I would recommend The Ark to anyone who wants to choose the right daycare for their little ones.", "datePublished": "2020-01-09T14:32:04.316300Z", "inLanguage": "en" } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/the-ark-gl52-6lj-2612622#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Nurseries", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nurseries" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "South West", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?region=South%20West" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The Ark", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/the-ark-gl52-6lj-2612622" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/the-ark-gl52-6lj-2612622#faq", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is The Ark a day nursery or preschool?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Ark is a childcare setting on non-domestic premises that provides full day care. It serves children from birth to two years old, which places it in the day nursery category rather than a preschool." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the main strengths of The Ark?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Staff are kind and gentle, and they help babies take part in self-care. Children have many chances to make choices, and leaders have a clear sense of the setting’s aims and values. Strong community links also support children’s learning and experiences." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Whereabouts is The Ark?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Ark is at 3 Sandhurst Villas, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 6LJ." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is The Ark working on improving?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The setting is developing staff’s support for children’s independence so they have more time to find ways of doing things for themselves. It is also reviewing how the outdoor area is planned and used so children receive a richer learning experience outside as well as indoors." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [South West](/search?region=South+West) 4. The Ark # The Ark in Cheltenham Compare Contact Nursery Ofsted: Good (Mar 2023) · 5.0 (1 parent reviews) · 3 Sandhurst Villas, Sandhurst Road, CHELTENHAM, GL52 6LJ · Gloucestershire Number of places 31 places Age range 0–2 yrs Last inspected Mar 2023 Local authority Gloucestershire About - About - Ofsted - Inclusion - Reviews - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [Reviews](#reviews) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## About this day nursery The Ark, located in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, is a welcoming and friendly childcare setting that re-registered in 2020. 30pm, it provides full day care for children aged 0 to 2 years. Babies and toddlers quickly settle in, forming warm and secure relationships with staff and peers, demonstrating their contentment and safety. The nursery provides stimulating and interesting activities that excite children's curiosity, such as exploring sensory materials and engaging in group activities with songs, rhymes, and stories to develop listening and attention skills. The Ark has a strong emphasis on a broad and balanced curriculum, with leaders and staff clear about their aims, values, and ethos. They know children well, understanding their interests, development, and next steps in learning, which contributes to children making good progress. The setting benefits from strong community links, with children learning about their local area through regular walks and visits, and experiencing different cultures and festivals. Parents appreciate the strong partnership with the nursery, reporting excellent communication and receiving tips and activities to support learning at home. While the indoor provision is rich, the outdoor area is currently cluttered, which impacts on the space available for physical activity and means children who prefer outdoor learning do not always receive the same rich experience as indoors. What it's like Babies and toddlers settle extremely quickly at this welcoming and friendly setting. Happy, smiling children eagerly play with each other and staff, demonstrating how content and safe they feel through the warm, secure relationships they make. Children engage in stimulating and interesting activities that excite their curiosity. Welcoming and friendly setting Good Ofsted rating Stimulating activities Strong community links Strong parent partnerships Dedicated staff Ofsted Inspection ## Ofsted rating for The Ark Last inspected 28 March 2023 Overall effectiveness Good Quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good What it's like to attend Babies and toddlers settle extremely quickly at this welcoming and friendly setting. Happy, smiling children eagerly play with each other and staff, demonstrating how content and safe they feel through the warm, secure relationships they make. Children engage in stimulating and interesting activities that excite their curiosity. Inspector highlights - Leaders and staff are clear about the aims, values and ethos that drives the setting. - Children have plenty of opportunities to make choices at this setting. - The setting benefits from strong community links. - Leaders are passionate about the care and education they provide for children. - Staff are kind, gentle and encourage babies to get involved in their self-care. Areas to develop - 1 support staff to identify when children need more time to discover ways of doing things for themselves and build on their independent learning - 2 review the way in which staff plan and use the outside area to provide children with the same rich learning experience that they have inside. Inspection #10263594 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50212466) ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of The Ark Inspection date Mar 2023 Inspection no. 10263594 [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50212466)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2612622) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Phone not yet listed 3 Sandhurst Villas, Sandhurst Road, CHELTENHAM, GL52 6LJ [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/-2.04938/51.88746/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near CHELTENHAM - [Day nurseries in CHELTENHAM](/search?q=CHELTENHAM) - [Day nurseries in South West](/search?q=South+West) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=the-ark-gl52-6lj-2612622) ## What parents say Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection > Parents explain that the setting communicates with them very well. Inclusion & environment ## How they support every child Outdoor space The outside area is overly cluttered, which impacts on the space children have for physical activity. This means children who prefer to learn outside do not receive the same rich learning experience that is available inside. ## Parent Reviews of The Ark 5.0 (1) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocJ_rzWLBnGl4Is5UUBSOIUVE63oZz64wp0tJb_CcYuykXmmFA=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo) Harbour City 6 years ago My daughter has been attending The Ark Nursery for just over 3 months now. They have been great in creating a personal and homely environment for her. She is thriving there due to the broad range of facilities and activities offered. I have found her development skills & confidence has grown leaps and bounds whilst also making some great friends. The management is very understanding, personable yet professional. Overall I would recommend The Ark to anyone who wants to choose the right daycare for their little ones. [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURNX2RUcUp3EAE!2m1!1s0x48711bd00b020407:0x7a83fe479c732f29) Reviews from Google for The Ark. [See all on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=8828179278097231657&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) Inspection history Date: February 2023 - March 2023 Good - February 2023 Good ## Frequently asked about The Ark ### Is The Ark a day nursery or preschool? ### What are the main strengths of The Ark? ### Whereabouts is The Ark? ### What is The Ark working on improving? ## Nearby day nurseries in CHELTENHAM Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to The Ark. - [ Awaiting first inspection 0.2 mi ### Berkhampstead Day Nursery, Charlton Kings Cheltenham · GL53 8AG ](/nursery/berkhampstead-day-nursery-charlton-kings-gl53-8ag-2822774) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.3 mi ### Glenfall Pre-School Cheltenham · GL52 6XZ ](/nursery/glenfall-pre-school-gl52-6xz-511772) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.3 mi ### Ashley Manor Nursery Cheltenham · GL52 6NR ](/nursery/ashley-manor-nursery-gl52-6nr-2771647) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.3 mi ### The Nursery School Cheltenham · GL53 8AP ](/nursery/the-nursery-school-gl53-8ap-ey554397) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.4 mi ### Charlie Bears Childcare Cheltenham · GL53 8AR 5.0(7 reviews) ](/nursery/charlie-bears-childcare-limited-gl53-8ar-2721892) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.8 mi ### Blossom Lodge Day Nursery Cheltenham · GL52 6SR 4.3(24 reviews) ](/nursery/blossom-lodge-day-nursery-gl52-6sr-2546468) [See all nurseries in CHELTENHAM →](/search?q=CHELTENHAM) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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