Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

The Little Ark

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Mar 2023)
·
5.0(1 parent reviews) ·The John Wesley Church of England Methodist Primary School, Wesley School Road, ASHFORD, TN23 5LW · Kent
Number of places
27 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2023
Local authority
Kent

About this day nursery

The Little Ark Preschool in Ashford strives to deliver a secure, nurturing, and inclusive atmosphere where children can explore and grow. The preschool aims to foster self-esteem in children and collaborates with parents to facilitate a smooth transition to school.

They operate during term-time, offering morning, afternoon, and full-day sessions, with specific attendance times for each. For full-day or afternoon attendance, parents are requested to provide a packed lunch.

The preschool is currently accepting applications for its waiting list for September 2026 and 2027, with September 2025 already at full capacity. Due to high demand, visits are arranged only after a place has been offered.

The application process involves downloading and completing a form, then emailing it to the preschool. The Little Ark Preschool prides itself on open communication with parents, providing daily updates from a child's key person and using an online platform for sharing photos and progress reports.

They emphasise their commitment to addressing all dietary requirements and medical conditions, developing detailed care plans, and ensuring staff are trained to respond to emergencies. Located on Wesley School Road in Singleton, Ashford, the preschool has a dedicated manager who also serves as the SENCO and Safeguarding Lead.

What it's like

Children enter the pre-school confidently and excitedly, and staff have exceptional interactions with them. Children are enthralled by the wide range of highly stimulating experiences on offer, indoors and outdoors, all through the day. They demonstrate exceptionally high persistence and are actively challenged.

Term-time onlyInclusivity focusedPartnership with parents

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-oldsTax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday Term Time Only. From 08:45-11:45am, 11:45-2:45pm, All Day 08:45-2:45pm

Food

For all day or afternoon attendance, please provide your child with a packed lunch.

Waitlist

Now Accepting Applications for September 2026 & 2027 Waiting List. Full for September 2025.

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Little Ark

Last inspected 20 March 2023

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding

What it's like to attend

Children enter the pre-school confidently and excitedly, and staff have exceptional interactions with them. Children are enthralled by the wide range of highly stimulating experiences on offer, indoors and outdoors, all through the day. They demonstrate exceptionally high persistence and are actively challenged.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders effectively use funding for staff training, which significantly improves outcomes for children.
  • Staff have a thorough understanding of children's knowledge and use it to precisely plan activities, helping all children reach their full potential.
  • Staff expertly build on children's interests to extend their language through lively conversations and engaging activities.
  • The curriculum is delivered exceptionally, with communication threaded through staff interactions, promoting physical coordination.
  • Staff expertly support children to manage their personal needs, fostering independence, confidence, and emotional well-being.
Inspection #10276412 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The arrangements to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are exceptional. Staff use their expert knowledge to support children with SEND to recognise their feelings and take swift actions. Staff provide highly effective spaces that children can independently access to help them calm down when needed.

Outdoor space

Children are enthralled by the wide range of highly stimulating experiences on offer, indoors and outdoors, all through the day. For instance, staff provide exceptional support for children to grow carrots and French beans, which they later sell to parents to raise money.

Parent Reviews of The Little Ark

5.0
(1)

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

Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2023

Date: February 2010

  • March 2023Outstanding
  • July 2017Good
  • January 2014Good
  • February 2010Good

Frequently asked about The Little Ark

Nearby day nurseries in ASHFORD

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to The Little Ark.

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