The Ark Association Ltd (2)
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Oakham for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in January 2025. Open since 2011, with 40 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Rutland
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Rutland from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
LE15 6GYWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 22 January 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
The inclusive staff offer a warm welcome to children and parents. Staff provide plenty of cuddles and reassurance for children when needed. Children show that they feel happy and secure and have a strong sense of belonging at the 'family'
nursery. They know what the staff expect of them. For example, they put away resources where they belong to keep the floor clear from trip hazards. Children learn self-care skills as they change their clothes for water play in the shallow swimming pool on the school site. Children dress in warm, waterproof clothing for outdoor outings, with interventions from staff only when needed. These activities help them to grow in independence, ready for the eventual move to school.
Staff ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their starting points. Children develop new skills as staff plan a wide range of fun activities indoors and outside. They enjoy taking the lead during independent play and when involved in group activities. For example, children delight in being 'number hunters' in the garden.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- enhance exchanges of information with parents about what children already know and can do, to inform early planning for specific next steps.
- 22 January 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 12 February 2019Good
- 16 October 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Ark Association Ltd (2)
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.