# Ark Start Brunel

Ark Start Brunel is a full-day nursery at Ark Brunel Primary Academy, Middle Row, London, W10 5AT, in Kensal Town, Kensington and Chelsea. It is registered for 58 children and takes children aged from 9 months. It opens 08:00–17:00, Mon–Fri, 48 weeks a year. Its Ofsted report card (March 2026) grades inclusion Expected standard, curriculum and teaching Expected standard, achievement Strong standard, behaviour and routines Expected standard, children's welfare and well-being Expected standard and leadership and governance Strong standard; safeguarding standards met. It offers the 30 funded hours for 3 and 4-year-olds, and accepts Tax-Free Childcare. It has a Google rating of 3.0 from 2 reviews (November 2026). It is run by Ark UK Programmes.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/ark-start-brunel-2813337  
Last checked 11 November 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Full-day nursery
- Address: Ark Brunel Primary Academy, Middle Row, London, W10 5AT
- Ages: from 9 months
- Opening hours: 08:00–17:00, Mon–Fri
- Weeks open: 48 a year
- Registered places: 58
- Funded childcare: the 30 funded hours for 3 and 4-year-olds
- Tax-Free Childcare: yes
- Meals included: no
- Phone: 020 3116 6338
- Website: https://www.arkstart.org.uk/our-nurseries/ladbroke-grove-ark-start-brunel/
- Run by: [Ark UK Programmes](https://toddly.co.uk/groups/ark-uk-programmes)
- Ofsted URN: 2813337

## Ofsted and official records

Report card inspection, 17 March 2026. Report cards grade each area separately; there is no single headline grade.

| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Inclusion | Expected standard |
| Curriculum and teaching | Expected standard |
| Achievement | Strong standard |
| Behaviour and routines | Expected standard |
| Children's welfare and well-being | Expected standard |
| Leadership and governance | Strong standard |

Safeguarding standards met.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2813337

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since September 2024 (Reference 2813337). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2813337)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 17 March 2026). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2813337)
- Registered places: 58 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2813337)

## Fees

- Meals: £3.80 (full day)
- Meals: £2.55 (half day)

Funded hours: 30 hours.

Fees: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

- Monday to Friday: 08:00–17:00
- Ages: from 9 months
- Weeks open: 48 a year

## Getting there

Address: Ark Brunel Primary Academy, Middle Row, London, W10 5AT

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.525272,-0.212055

- Station: Ladbroke Grove, 0.5 miles
- Station: Westbourne Park, 0.5 miles
- Station: Kensal Green, 0.7 miles
- 16 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: Harrow Road Open Space, 0.1 miles
- Park: Athlone Gardens, 0.2 miles
- Park: Queen's Park Gardens, 0.2 miles
- Park: Meanwhile Gardens, 0.3 miles
- Park: Queen's Park Court Communal Gardens, 0.3 miles
- Playground: Playground, under 0.1 miles

© OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 13 November 2026 · Powered by TfL Open Data, checked 13 November 2026.

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Kensington and Chelsea there are about 2.1 children under 5 for every registered nursery place. Places are how many children nurseries may care for, not free spaces. Source: ONS Census 2021.

When to apply: https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery

## Ratings

- Google: 3.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews (as of 11 November 2026)

## About: a day here

### Learning

Its website says the nursery uses a Reggio Emilia inspired approach, a play-based EYFS curriculum, in-the-moment planning and a school readiness programme. Cooking activities are named on its website. In its 2026 Ofsted report card inspection, curriculum and teaching were rated 'Expected standard' and achievement was rated 'Strong standard'.

- Reggio Emilia inspired (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/why-ark-start/our-curriculum)
- Play-based EYFS curriculum (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/why-ark-start/our-curriculum)
- In-the-moment planning (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/why-ark-start/our-curriculum)
- School readiness programme (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/why-ark-start/our-curriculum)

### Food

Meals are not included in the fees. Its website says breakfast is provided and parents provide a packed lunch. The meal charge is £2.55 per half day.

- Breakfast provided (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/frequently-asked-questions)
- Parents provide packed lunch (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/frequently-asked-questions)

### Outdoors

Its website lists local outings and trips as outdoor details.

- Local outings and trips (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/why-ark-start/our-curriculum)

### Settling in

Its website says a home visit is arranged before a child starts, and families are invited to stay and play sessions. Each child is given a play partner who welcomes them on the first day and speaks to parents daily about how they are settling. Settling-in sessions are also named on its website.

- Flexible sessions (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/nursery/ark-start-brunel)
- Half-day sessions (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/nursery/ark-start-brunel)
- Settling-in sessions (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/frequently-asked-questions)

### Safety

In its 2026 Ofsted inspection, the nursery was found to meet safeguarding standards.

- Parent app with daily updates (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/why-ark-start/partnering-with-parents)
- Near public transport (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/nursery/ark-start-brunel)

### Extras and activities

- Cooking activities (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/why-ark-start/our-curriculum)

### Getting a place

Its website says families submit an enquiry form for their chosen nursery, after which the team invites them to visit. According to its website, no registration fee or deposit is charged. The nursery accepts the 30 funded hours for eligible 3-4 year olds and Tax-Free Childcare.

## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ark Brunel Primary Academy | Primary | 3–11 | Good (May 2024) |  | under 0.1 miles |
| Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (February 2022) | yes | under 0.1 miles |
| St Thomas' CofE Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Quality of education: Outstanding; Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding; Personal development: Outstanding; Leadership and management: Outstanding (January 2025) | yes | 0.2 miles |
| Ormiston Kensington Queensmill Academy |  | 3–19 | Good (October 2023) | yes | 0.2 miles |
| Queen's Park Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (November 2022) | yes | 0.2 miles |
| Barlby Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Report card (April 2026) | yes | 0.2 miles |
| Chelsea Community Hospital School |  | 2–19 | School remains Outstanding (November 2023) |  | 0.2 miles |
| St Charles Catholic Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (November 2023) | yes | 0.3 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Kensal House Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/kensal-house-nursery-2706477) | Good |  | 07:30–18:00 | 0.2 miles |
| [Little Rosie's Nursery School](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-rosies-nursery-school-2838488) |  |  | 08:00–17:30 | 0.2 miles |
| [Katharine Bruce Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/katharine-bruce-day-nursery-ey305975) | Outstanding |  | 08:00–18:00 | 0.2 miles |
| [N Family Club Maida Vale](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/n-family-club-maida-vale-2715357) | Outstanding |  | 07:00–19:00 | 0.3 miles |
| [Vishenka](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/vishenka-ey332671) | Good |  | 09:00–16:00 | 0.4 miles |
| [Sunrise Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/sunrise-day-nursery-2579595) | Good |  | 08:00–18:00 | 0.4 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### Does Ark Start Brunel offer 30 funded hours?

Yes. Ark Start Brunel offers the 30 funded hours for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds.

### What are Ark Start Brunel's opening hours?

Ark Start Brunel opens 08:00–17:00, Mon–Fri.

### Is Ark Start Brunel open all year?

Ark Start Brunel is open 48 weeks a year.

### What ages does Ark Start Brunel take?

Ark Start Brunel takes children aged from 9 months.

### What is Ark Start Brunel's Ofsted rating?

Ark Start Brunel was inspected on 17 March 2026 and given an Ofsted report card. Report cards grade each area separately rather than giving one headline grade: inclusion Expected standard, curriculum and teaching Expected standard, achievement Strong standard, behaviour and routines Expected standard, children's welfare and well-being Expected standard and leadership and governance Strong standard. Safeguarding standards met.

### How many children can Ark Start Brunel take?

Ark Start Brunel is registered with Ofsted for up to 58 children at any one time.

### Are meals included at Ark Start Brunel?

Meals are not included in the fees at Ark Start Brunel.

### Does Ark Start Brunel accept Tax-Free Childcare?

Yes. Ark Start Brunel accepts Tax-Free Childcare payments.

### Who runs Ark Start Brunel?

Ark Start Brunel is run by Ark UK Programmes, which runs 9 nurseries.

### What approach does Ark Start Brunel follow?

Ark Start Brunel's website describes its approach as: Reggio Emilia inspired, Play-based EYFS curriculum, In-the-moment planning and School readiness programme.

### Does Ark Start Brunel have outdoor space?

Ark Start Brunel lists: Local outings and trips.

### What is the nearest station to Ark Start Brunel?

Ladbroke Grove is the nearest station we know of, 0.5 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact Ark Start Brunel?

You can call 020 3116 6338 and visit www.arkstart.org.uk.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2813337)
- Fees, hours and features: the nursery's website (www.arkstart.org.uk), as of 11 November 2026 (https://www.arkstart.org.uk/our-nurseries/ladbroke-grove-ark-start-brunel/)
- Rating and review themes: Google, as of 11 November 2026 (https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Ark+Start+Brunel+-+Nursery+Ladbroke+Grove&query_place_id=ChIJu_ifEOERdkgR6MfqiZTZl90)
- Schools: DfE Get Information about Schools, as of 4 November 2026 (https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.