The Ark Child Okeford
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Blandford Forum for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2025. Open since 1992, with 42 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 Dorset
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Dorset 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
DT11 8ELWhat 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, 26 February 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are happy and settled in this warm and welcoming nursery. They form strong bonds with the staff, who provide warm interactions and reassurance, helping children to feel safe and secure. Staff provide exciting learning opportunities for children, who are keen to join in and concentrate for long periods.
Children receive appropriate praise and encouragement to support them to persevere and to promote their well-being. Staff have high expectations for children's learning and behaviour. Children share, take turns and learn about the feelings of others. When minor disagreements occur, children often manage these for themselves. For example, they negotiate a solution together, such as taking turns.
Staff communicate regularly with parents to obtain information about children's emerging interests. Staff incorporate these interests into the curriculum to engage children in learning that builds on what they already know and can do. The development of children's communication skills is a strong focus. Staff engage children in meaningful conversations, introduce new vocabulary and encourage children to express their thoughts and ideas. Children enjoy listening to stories, singing songs and engaging in role play, which further enhances their language skills. Children learn how to manage risks for themselves as they balance on planks outside. Staff help children to identify potential hazards, such as where the larger puddles may be and if the grass might be 'slippery' due to lots of rain. Children enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise to help keep them fit and healthy.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff working with younger children to implement the curriculum for mathematics in a way that helps all children to develop their confidence and skills.
- 26 February 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 26 June 2019Good
- 11 August 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Ark Child Okeford
- 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.