We offer exceptional childcare for our families in a stimulating and nurturing environment empowering our children and teaching them skills for life.
Our goals are to have happy, healthy and thriving children, involved and reassured parents alongside a knowledgeable and motivated team.
Our consistent focus on quality has been rewarded by Ofsted, with an ‘Outstanding’ rating achieved on four occasions. This is a reflection of our dedication to providing the very best for your child.
Our focus on outdoor learning, through Forest School and Woodland Explorer programmes, encourages children to develop confidence and independence. We also provide rich, diverse curricula that promote learning through play, centred around each child’s unique interests.
We offer programmes for children aged 0-11, including a day nursery, out-of-school care, and a holiday club, all designed to support your child’s growth and development.
Hello and welcome!
I am delighted to introduce myself as the Nursery Manager. With 32 years of experience in the childcare industry, 22 of which have been in leadership and management roles, I am passionate about providing high-quality care and support for young children and their families. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work in diverse childcare settings across Germany, Northern Ireland, and the South of England. This has allowed me to meet wonderful families and make a positive impact on the lives of their children.
I have two grown-up children and four wonderful grandchildren, and being a Nana is one of my greatest joys. Family time is incredibly important to me, and I truly believe in the value of nurturing relationships both at home and in the nursery setting.
You will often see me around the nursery, and I look forward to getting to know you and your children as we embark on this exciting journey together.
– Debbie Main
Thank you to all the parents who feel The Ark has left a positive impact on their children.
I could not have wished for a better, more professional, caring and loving place to send my little boy. I love the amount of outdoor time the children get whether that be at Forest school with the brilliant Phil, or at Woodland Explorers or in the front garden or in the pods. Even when it’s snowing and raining they get outside. One of the most difficult things to do as a full time working mum is to leave your child everyday. I am so lucky that this team is on my doorstep.
Of particular note is the provision within Upper Pre School. The PE sessions, Forest School, cookery, craft, to name but a few, which are run by the staff at the Ark are brilliant and not a day goes by without him telling us (in great detail) all of the things that he has been up to. Crucially, the staff are responsive to each individually child. There have been countless instances of our son announcing an interest in something in particular and the staff enabling him to explore and expand his interest.
I’d just like to drop a message to say how wonderful I think the staff are at The Ark, especially those in Upper Nursery Room who support my son daily. He’s come on leaps and bounds recently, and I think a lot of it is down to the extra support and attention he is receiving. He seems to have built relationships with staff from all across the nursery, which is amazing to see, and I just wanted to say thank you to all for been so patient and lovely with him, it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
