The Ark Day Care Nursery
Good★ 3.9 on GoogleBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in London for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 18:00, 7 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in March 2023. Open since 2011, with 21 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 Hackney
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Hackney 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
E5 9DXWhat 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, 31 March 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Babies settle well at this caring nursery. Staff build strong bonds with them and take great care to ensure that their needs are fully met. For example, they find out about babies' feeding and sleep routines and maintain these to help them to settle well. Staff interact very warmly with babies. who respond with joy and delight. All children settle securely and are happy and confident. Staff value each child and have high expectations of them.
The curriculum is broad and interesting. This helps all children to make good progress. They gain valuable skills in preparation for school. Children learn how to express themselves creatively. For instance, they enjoy making patterns in puddles sprinkled with red powder paint in the garden. They draw and paint using different tools and materials. Children gain an understanding of difference. Staff invite parents into the nursery to talk about their cultural traditions. They read stories to children about special religious festivals, such as Hanukkah and Eid.
Children behave in safe ways. Staff teach children how to use tools, such as scissors, with care and caution. They teach children about road safety and children act carefully while walking outdoors. Children gain good social skills. For instance, they share resources as they take part in imaginative play and when using outdoor resources.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: - develop children's awareness of good oral hygiene further, to fully support their understanding of how to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
- 31 March 2023Good
- 17 March 2017Good
- 17 February 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Ark Day Care Nursery
- 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.