--- title: "The Ark Pre-School Wantage — Rated Good by Ofsted" description: "The Ark Pre-School Wantage, a nursery in Wantage — 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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See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice.", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/#website" }, "about": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/the-ark-pre-school-wantage-ox12-8bl-ey499172#nursery" }, "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/the-ark-pre-school-wantage-ox12-8bl-ey499172#breadcrumb" }, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", "[data-speakable]" ] } }, { "@type": "ChildCare", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/the-ark-pre-school-wantage-ox12-8bl-ey499172#nursery", "name": "The Ark Pre-School Wantage", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/the-ark-pre-school-wantage-ox12-8bl-ey499172", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressCountry": "GB", "streetAddress": "The Butler Centre", "addressLocality": "17 Church Street", "postalCode": "OX12 8BL" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/the-ark-pre-school-wantage-ox12-8bl-ey499172#webpage" }, "telephone": "01235 764010", "email": "info@thearkpreschoolwantage.org", "sameAs": [ "https://thearkpreschoolwantage.org/" ], "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 51.587822, "longitude": -1.427672 }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "City", "name": "Wantage" } ], "audience": { "@type": "PeopleAudience", "suggestedMinAge": 2, "suggestedMaxAge": 4 }, "award": "Ofsted: Good", "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": 5, "reviewCount": 2, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": 5, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Pauline Bristow" }, "reviewBody": "My son has been going to The Ark since he was two. The team are fantastic and I feel completely comfortable leaving him in their capable hands. He has grown in confidence and loves playing with the other children. I love that he comes home singing new songs and practising what he's learnt that day. I highly recommend The Ark.", "datePublished": "2015-12-15T14:41:19.432Z", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": 5, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "clara aboagye" }, "datePublished": "2024-10-12T20:07:21.244562Z", "inLanguage": "en" } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/the-ark-pre-school-wantage-ox12-8bl-ey499172#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 East", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?region=South%20East" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The Ark Pre-School Wantage", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/the-ark-pre-school-wantage-ox12-8bl-ey499172" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/the-ark-pre-school-wantage-ox12-8bl-ey499172#faq", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How is SEND supported at The Ark Pre-School Wantage?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Support for children with SEND is led by the SENCo, who understands individual needs and helps shape progress. Each child has a key person, and staff work to share information so plans match the child’s learning and care needs. The team also includes staff with special needs experience." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which funded childcare hours are accepted?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The setting accepts 15 hours for disadvantaged 2-year-olds, 15 hours for all 3- and 4-year-olds, and 30 hours for working parents of 3- and 4-year-olds. These entitlements sit alongside paid sessions for hours outside the funded allowance." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How was The Ark Pre-School Wantage rated by Ofsted?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The current overall grade is Good, following the inspection on 05/06/2024." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is The Ark Pre-School Wantage a private nursery?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The setting is classed as childcare on non-domestic premises. It provides full day care rather than a domestic home-based arrangement." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "From what age does The Ark Pre-School Wantage accept children?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Children are accepted from age 2 to age 4." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What helps children settle at The Ark Pre-School Wantage?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Each child has a key person who helps with settling in and supports ongoing learning. This approach gives children a familiar adult to build a relationship with and to guide them through the activities on offer." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![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 East](/search?region=South+East) 4. The Ark Pre-School Wantage # The Ark Pre-School Wantage Compare Contact Nursery Ofsted: Good (Jun 2024) · 5.0 (2 parent reviews) · The Butler Centre, 17 Church Street, Wantage, OX12 8BL · Oxfordshire Number of places 24 places Age range 2–4 yrs Last inspected Jun 2024 Local authority Oxfordshire About - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - Reviews - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [Reviews](#reviews) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## About this day nursery The Ark Pre-School Wantage offers a high-quality learning environment for children aged 2 to 5 years. Located next to the Museum on Church Street in Wantage, the preschool boasts an experienced and dedicated team committed to ensuring children are safe, happy, and reach their full potential. The setting encourages active learning and creative thinking through a vibrant indoor and outdoor space. Indoors, children can explore a sensory room, dress-up area, crafts, computers, a relaxing hub, and a reading corner. The extensive outdoor area features green space, climbing walls, a sandpit, and a vegetable garden, allowing children to engage in play and development activities, including caring for plants and even taking home harvested fruits and vegetables. Each child is assigned a dedicated key person to facilitate their settling in and ongoing development. The preschool provides flexible session options, including full-day, morning, lunchtime, and afternoon sessions, all running during term time from Monday to Friday. The Ark Pre-School is committed to providing excellent care and education, evident in its positive Ofsted rating and its focus on fostering a supportive and engaging atmosphere for young learners. Our ethos The Ark Pre-School Wantage is committed to providing excellent care and education, encouraging active learning and creative thinking through a vibrant indoor and outdoor space. They focus on fostering a supportive and engaging atmosphere for young learners, and are committed to ensuring children are safe, happy, and reach their full potential. Child-led activities are encouraged through play and development, including caring for plants and harvesting fruits and vegetables. What it's like Children enjoy a broad range of skilfully planned activities. Routines provide clear boundaries, leading to excellent behaviour. Children are engrossed in learning, benefiting from a strong focus on communication and language. Experienced and dedicated team Vibrant indoor and outdoor spaces Flexible session options Ofsted rated ## Pricing & funding The nursery charges flat hourly rates based on the child's age for any unfunded or additional hours. Rates are split into two age bands: two-year-olds, and three-to-four-year-olds. Payment for non-funded hours must be made via bank transfer or cheque. Funding accepted 15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds 15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs) 30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs) Good to know - Non-funded sessions must be paid by bank transfer or cheque. - Please use your child's name as a reference for bank transfers. - Charges apply for any hours taken over the government-funded allowance. ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of The Ark Pre-School Wantage Inspection date Jun 2024 Inspection no. 10339210 Safeguarding arrangements are effective [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50251525)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY499172) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Reveal phone number Contact Nursery [ Visit website ](https://thearkpreschoolwantage.org/) The Butler Centre, 17 Church Street, Wantage, OX12 8BL [© 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#/-1.42767/51.58782/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Wantage - [Day nurseries in Wantage](/search?q=Wantage) - [Day nurseries in South East](/search?q=South+East) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=the-ark-pre-school-wantage-ox12-8bl-ey499172) ## Key facts Session types All Day Session (8:30am to 3:30pm), Morning Session (8:30am to 11:30am), Lunchtime Session (11:30am to 12:30pm), Afternoon Session (12:30pm to 3:30pm) Opening hours Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 3:30pm Age range 2 to 5 years Term time / All Year Term Time Ofsted Inspection ## Ofsted rating for The Ark Pre-School Wantage Last inspected 5 June 2024 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 enjoy a broad range of skilfully planned activities. Routines provide clear boundaries, leading to excellent behaviour. Children are engrossed in learning, benefiting from a strong focus on communication and language. Inspector highlights - Children arrive happily at the setting to be greeted by happy, caring and attentive staff. - Children have hands-on learning experiences as they observe tadpoles that they have nurtured from frogspawn. - Children are excited and interested in their learning. They balance along a wobbly beam outside, requesting help when needed. - Children gain experiences beyond the classroom, such as weekly visits to the local market and local care home. - Children are well prepared for school, with robust planning supporting their independence and confidence. Areas to develop - 1 refine further the curriculum planning for younger children to more consistently reflect the precisely targeted support provided for older children - 2 enhance the arrangements to share information between the SENCo and children's key persons Inspection #10339210 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50251525) ## What parents say Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection > Parents are delighted with the setting. > They happily report that they return time after time with siblings, some travelling great distances just to use the setting. > Parents share reassuring messages about the staff, saying that they trust them and value their understanding of their child's individual needs. > They feel part of a family, and they comment that staffing consistency is a positive factor. Inclusion & environment ## How they support every child SEND provision The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) has a comprehensive understanding of children's needs for them to make progress. However, arrangements for sharing information between the SENCo and children's key persons are not always fully effective, meaning staff working with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities do not always benefit from having the fullest picture of the curriculum plans. Outdoor space The outside space is beautifully set out, and children are encouraged to take risks and seek challenge in their play. They balance along a wobbly beam outside, requesting help when needed, and learn simple measurements in the large outdoor sandpit when pouring and tipping sand, guided by competent staff. ## Parent Reviews of The Ark Pre-School Wantage 5.0 (2) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjWoZ5D-9yLpRG90RbfxyrhRudkXhsqLPCbCugJ7rJBvfdSRBzs=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo-ba3) Pauline Bristow 10 years ago My son has been going to The Ark since he was two. The team are fantastic and I feel completely comfortable leaving him in their capable hands. He has grown in confidence and loves playing with the other children. I love that he comes home singing new songs and practising what he's learnt that day. I highly recommend The Ark. [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUN3LThUR1B3EAE!2m1!1s0x4876b1543df4fcfb:0xba4de73887761fa6) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocJlGwXh4oHzkYidfd-u8otkVWr_ssBkLSAGvJtM98GB-x1ZLA=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo) clara aboagye a year ago [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNYcUpPWTJBRRAB!2m1!1s0x4876b1543df4fcfb:0xba4de73887761fa6) Reviews from Google for The Ark Pre-School Wantage. [See all on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=13424640294238166950&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) Inspection history Date: July 2018 - June 2024 Good - July 2018 Good ## Frequently asked about The Ark Pre-School Wantage ### How is SEND supported at The Ark Pre-School Wantage? ### Which funded childcare hours are accepted? ### How was The Ark Pre-School Wantage rated by Ofsted? ### Is The Ark Pre-School Wantage a private nursery? ### From what age does The Ark Pre-School Wantage accept children? ### What helps children settle at The Ark Pre-School Wantage? ## Nearby day nurseries in Wantage Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to The Ark Pre-School Wantage. - [ Awaiting first inspection <0.2 mi ### The Wantage Nursery & Preschool Wantage · OX12 8BL 3.9(7 reviews) ](/nursery/the-wantage-nursery-preschool-ox12-8bl-2803376) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.2 mi ### Rockwell House Day Nursery And Nursery School Wantage · OX12 8AZ 4.0(12 reviews) ](/nursery/rockwell-house-day-nursery-and-nursery-school-ox12-8az-ey551926) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.5 mi ### Camel Pre-School Wantage · OX12 9HL ](/nursery/camel-pre-school-ox12-9hl-ey335445) - [ Provider closed 1.3 mi ### Your Co-op Little Pioneers Nursery and Pre-school Kingsgrove Wantage · OX12 7LP ](/nursery/your-co-op-little-pioneers-nursery-and-pre-school-kingsgrove-ox12-7lp-2854672) - [ Ofsted: Requires improvement 2.0 mi ### The Montessori House Wantage · OX12 8PN 5.0(12 reviews) ](/nursery/the-montessori-house-ltd-ox12-8pn-2811148) - [ Ofsted: Good 2.2 mi ### Bramleys Day Nursery Ardington Wantage · OX12 8TP 4.4(7 reviews) ](/nursery/bramleys-day-nursery-and-nursery-school-ox12-8tp-ey551925) [See all nurseries in Wantage →](/search?q=Wantage) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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