The Ark Pre School
OutstandingBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Crowthorne for children from birth to 5, open 09:15 to 13:15, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in May 2022. Open since 1998, with 26 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 Bracknell Forest
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Bracknell Forest 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
RG45 7ATWhat 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, 25 May 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children's behaviour and attitude to learning is exemplary. They demonstrate confidence, are happy and settled and have incredible fun in the stimulating environment. The highly effective and well-established key-person system promotes children's emotional well-being and helps them to form secure attachments. The attention to detail in implementing an exciting, stimulating learning environment that motivates children to learn is inspirational. The manager and staff have a clear vision and strong focus for the curriculum. They know what each child can do and what they need to learn next. They follow children's interests to ensure each child receives a rich and meaningful experience. All children, including the most able, and those with special educational needs and\or disabilities, develop essential skills to support them in their future learning. They are eager to explore, investigate and find out new things.
Children display extraordinary levels of social skills and are extremely considerate towards others. For example, they notice when other children want to join in with their games and welcome them to play. During physical activities, children recognise when others need help and hold their hands as they walk along balancing beams.
Children develop a strong knowledge of other cultures. They understand that countries may have different languages and they show a deep interest in learning key words. Children confidently count and name the days of the week in French, and English.
- 25 May 2022Outstanding
- 22 September 2016Outstanding
- 26 September 2012Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Ark Pre School
- 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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.