The Ark
Good★ 4.6 on GoogleBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Shrewsbury 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 August 2025. Open since 2006, with 93 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 Shropshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Shropshire 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
SY5 0RFWhat 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.
- 29 August 2023 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 1 August 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff at this nursery show genuine care and affection for the children who attend.
Babies spend time in a nurturing environment, full of opportunities to explore a wide range of learning experiences. The well-thought-out environment means that babies have a wealth of opportunities to pull themselves up to standing, helping them to develop the muscles they need for walking. Staff stay close to children who need extra comfort. This helps them to feel safe and settled.
Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum that builds on children's existing knowledge and skills. Children benefit from a range of extracurricular activities, where they visit local places in the community. Leaders consider how these opportunities support children to expand their knowledge and understanding of people and the world around them. Children learn how to build relationships with their peers and adults. They behave well and are respectful of others. Children learn to play cooperatively and make friendships. They help each other to solve problems. At times when they encounter minor conflict over resources, staff respond quickly and support them to resolve this calmly. Children are reminded of rules, and expectations are clearly explained to them.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- improve the arrangements for supporting and monitoring staff practice further, so that all aspects of the curriculum are implemented consistently.
- 1 August 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 9 January 2020Good
- 11 January 2016Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Ark
- 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.