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The Exwick Ark

Ofsted: Good
(Nov 2024)
·
5.0(29 parent reviews) ·The Old School, Exwick Road, EXETER, EX4 2AT · Devon
Number of places
52 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2024
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

The Exwick Ark offers flexible childcare, allowing families to choose between year-round or term-time-only care without retainer fees during school holidays. The nursery prioritises flexibility in session times to accommodate parents' needs, even accepting last-minute bookings.

Meals are cooked on-site using fresh ingredients, featuring a four-week rolling menu with a variety of dishes to ensure balanced nutrition and cater to dietary requirements. The nursery uses the Famly platform to keep parents updated with real-time information, including photos, videos, announcements, and administrative tools for managing permissions, reporting absences, and paying fees.

The Exwick Ark embraces an inclusive philosophy, evident in its range of policies covering admissions, behaviour management, health and safety, and equal opportunities, all of which are regularly reviewed with parent input.

What it's like

Children enjoy attending this welcoming nursery. They are greeted warmly by friendly and approachable staff and settle quickly into an activity of their choosing. The provider and staff have made significant improvements since the last inspection, tailoring their curriculum to meet children's individual needs, with a particular focus on communication and language.

Flexible sessionsHome-cooked mealsFamly app for parentsAccepts government funding

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured around various session lengths including full, half, midi, and school days, alongside an hourly rate. Government funding is accepted across all sessions, with funded hours subject to an hourly consumable charge. Fees are reviewed annually.

Funding accepted

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

Good to know

  • Fees are reviewed annually in the spring.
  • Government funding can be used for all session types.
  • A consumable charge is applied to funded hours.

Key facts

Opening hours

Morning session: 7:45-12:45; Afternoon session: 12:45-17:45; School day: 9:15-15:30; Midi day: 8:15-15:45; Full day: 7:45-17:45

Food

All meals are cooked on-site from scratch using fresh ingredients, following a four-week rolling menu. Dietary requirements and allergies are catered for. Children eat meals together.

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Exwick Ark

Last inspected 22 November 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 attending this welcoming nursery. They are greeted warmly by friendly and approachable staff and settle quickly into an activity of their choosing. The provider and staff have made significant improvements since the last inspection, tailoring their curriculum to meet children's individual needs, with a particular focus on communication and language.

Inspector highlights

  • Toddlers enjoy small-group times with staff, using musical instruments and joining in with number songs.
  • Partnerships with parents are effective, and parents speak highly of the care and education their children receive.
  • Staff provide high-quality interactions with children throughout the day, providing a narrative to children's play and adapting conversations to individual needs.
  • Children benefit from ample outside space and a nearby forest school, spending long periods in the fresh air and with nature.
  • The provider ensures staff well-being and observes them during interactions to monitor teaching quality, resulting in high staff morale.

Areas to develop

  • 1provide children with sufficient time to think about the answers to staff questions to aid their thinking skills and promote their confidence.
Inspection #10336869 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak highly of the care and education their children receive.

They comment on the progression of children's communication and social skills.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The provider and staff tailor their curriculum specifically to meet children's individual needs, with a particular focus on communication and language. Parents compliment the staff on liaising effectively with other professionals to help close gaps in children's development.

Outdoor space

Children benefit from the ample outside space as well as the nearby forest school. They spend long periods in the fresh air and with nature. Staff use leaves in play, and older children learn to cut wood with real tools, supporting hand-eye coordination.

Parent Reviews of The Exwick Ark

5.0
(29)
Paulina Schmid
3 months ago

My daughter has been attending the Exwick Ark for over a year now and we couldn't be happier. She settled in very quickly and the staff have been so friendly and supportive from the start and we see the same level of communication and care throughout all this time. Thank you so much for everything you do.

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Adam Porter
a year ago

The team at Exwick Ark are fantastic. They have taken such good care of our son through his time at nursery so far. Starting there at 12 months old he has rapidly grown in confidence and ability, loves going to nursery and has a wonderful time. The staff are so friendly, knowledgeable, and communicative and have been brilliant in partnering with us as we navigate life with a small person. The extra curricular (Christmas etc.) stuff they do with the kids is special and the organisation and logistical bit and bobs are well thought through too. Would 100% recommend checking out!

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Simone Marillier
a year ago

Our daughter started attending Exwick Ark in April. Initially she was very shy and reserved however she now cannot wait to go to nursery in the morning thanks to the wonderful team and especially her key worker Holli. The team have been absolutely fantastic at supporting her with her confidence and it really shows! She always goes in with a big smile on her face and leaves having had a lot of fun with her friends. It is a brilliant nursery with fantastic staff who really help each child to thrive. Thank you for the wonderful work you do, I would 100% recommend anyone considering looking at securing a placement here for their child.

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Natasha Breen
a year ago

Our little one attends from 5months and comes back happy every time. Staff keep us posted of updates during sessions. I often get pictures and can have chats with staff via messenger no problem. My last visit, my baby was curled up like a kitten snoozing in the play house very relaxed indeed (he won’t sleep anywhere if anxious). The Ark have supported him with our care plan preferences for nap times, feeds and development. Happy with progress of weening, crawling development and potty training and the social aspect of being around his peers is obviously a bonus. Thanks guys 🙏

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francesca evans
a year ago

My son started at Exwick Ark in the baby room in August. I felt a little anxious as he was only 10months old and still breastfed. I have to say the ladies looking after Eric have been fantastic, especially his key worker Jade. The communication has been great - everything I need to know is recorded on an app which includes updates with photos and what they’ve been up to during the day. The most important thing for me as a parent is seeing my son smile and so happy to go to nursery at drop off. He is clearly enjoying himself! As a parent who has had to go back to work, knowing my son is happy and being looked after with care is a huge relief and takes away any added mum guilt x

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for The Exwick Ark. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2024

Date: December 2013

  • October 2024Good
  • February 2024Requires improvement
  • March 2023Requires improvement
  • June 2018Good
  • November 2014Good
  • December 2013Requires improvement

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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