--- title: "The Little Ark — Rated Outstanding by Ofsted" description: "The Little Ark, a nursery in Ashford — Rated Outstanding 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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It operates from childcare premises rather than a domestic setting." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the opening hours at The Little Ark?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 2.45pm. It runs during term time only, with morning sessions from 8.45am to 11.45am, afternoon sessions from 11.45am to 2.45pm, and a full-day option from 8.45am to 2.45pm." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is The Little Ark Ofsted registered?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. The nursery is registered with Ofsted and its current overall grade is Outstanding, following the inspection on 20 March 2023." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which funded childcare offers does The Little Ark accept?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The nursery accepts 15 hours universal funding for 3 and 4 year olds, 30 hours funding for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds, 15 hours for disadvantaged 2 year olds, and Tax-Free Childcare." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does The Little Ark support children with SEND?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Support for children with SEND is described as exceptional. Staff use strong knowledge of each child to help them recognise feelings and respond quickly, while offering accessible calm spaces that support self-regulation and independence." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What age children does The Little Ark take?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The nursery accepts children aged 2 to 4 years." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![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 Little Ark # The Little Ark Compare Contact Nursery 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 - 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 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 only Inclusivity focused Partnership with parents ## Pricing & funding Funding accepted 15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs) 30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs) 15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds Tax-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 ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of The Little Ark Inspection date Mar 2023 Inspection no. 10276412 Safeguarding arrangements are effective [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50214477)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY391487) 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 Contact Nursery [ Visit website ](https://www.thelittlearkpreschool.co.uk/) The John Wesley Church of England Methodist Primary School, Wesley School Road, ASHFORD, TN23 5LW [© 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#/0.84033/51.13384/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near ASHFORD - [Day nurseries in ASHFORD](/search?q=ASHFORD) - [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-little-ark-tn23-5lw-ey391487) 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: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50214477) 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) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocJmeS3AIyF5H7LFH6_Fq4hlKlxgo7RQ2GMvxTLaaxo9PmAO6Q=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo-ba2) Oluwatosin Folaji 8 years ago Fantastic people [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNRekxfZE9nEAE!2m1!1s0x47ded97ffef6a69b:0x1f00284351963df1) Reviews from Google for The Little Ark. [See all on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=2233829684772486641&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) Inspection history Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2023 Date: February 2010 - March 2023 Outstanding - July 2017 Good - January 2014 Good - February 2010 Good ## Frequently asked about The Little Ark ### Whereabouts is The Little Ark? ### What are the opening hours at The Little Ark? ### Is The Little Ark Ofsted registered? ### Which funded childcare offers does The Little Ark accept? ### How does The Little Ark support children with SEND? ### What age children does The Little Ark take? ## Nearby day nurseries in ASHFORD Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to The Little Ark. - [ Ofsted: Outstanding 0.3 mi ### Great Chart and Singleton Pre-School Ashford · TN23 5LB ](/nursery/great-chart-and-singleton-pre-school-tn23-5lb-127208) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.7 mi ### Daisy Chains Nursery Ashford · TN23 5BD 4.6(20 reviews) ](/nursery/daisy-chains-nursery-tn23-5bd-ey440339) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.7 mi ### Kiddie Kapers Neighbourhood Nursery Ashford · TN23 4EY 4.4(10 reviews) ](/nursery/kiddie-kapers-neighbourhood-nursery-tn23-4ey-ey295433) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.8 mi ### Footprints Day Care Ashford · TN23 3SU 5.0(9 reviews) ](/nursery/footprints-day-care-tn23-3su-ey305659) - [ Ofsted: Outstanding 0.8 mi ### The John Wallis Nursery Ashford · TN23 3HG ](/nursery/the-john-wallis-nursery-tn23-3hg-2573689) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.9 mi ### The Stables Nursery Great Chart · TN23 3DJ ](/nursery/the-stables-nursery-tn23-3dj-2558538) [See all nurseries in ASHFORD →](/search?q=ASHFORD) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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