# Ark Start Oval Day Nursery

Ark Start Oval Day Nursery is a full-day nursery at 43 Cross Road, Croydon, CR0 6TE, in Croydon. It is registered for 48 children and takes children aged 9 months to 3 years. It opens 08:00–17:00, Mon–Fri, 48 weeks a year. It offers the 30 funded hours for 3 and 4-year-olds, and accepts Tax-Free Childcare. It has a Google rating of 5.0 from 3 reviews (November 2026). It is run by Ark UK Programmes.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/ark-start-oval-day-nursery-2874979  
Last checked 11 November 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Full-day nursery
- Address: 43 Cross Road, Croydon, CR0 6TE
- Ages: 9 months to 3 years
- Opening hours: 08:00–17:00, Mon–Fri
- Weeks open: 48 a year
- Registered places: 48
- 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/oval-east-croydon-nursery/
- Run by: [Ark UK Programmes](https://toddly.co.uk/groups/ark-uk-programmes)
- Ofsted URN: 2874979

## Ofsted and official records

Not yet inspected by Ofsted. The nursery is registered and has not had its first inspection yet.

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since December 2025 (Reference 2874979). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2874979)
- Inspections on record: None yet. Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2874979)
- Registered places: 48 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2874979)

## Fees

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

Funded hours: 30 hours.

Fees: not published yet.

Nurseries in Croydon that publish fees charge £75–£125 a day for under-2s (8 nurseries). This is the area's range, not this nursery's.

## Hours and ages

- Monday to Friday: 08:00–17:00
- Ages: 9 months to 3 years
- Weeks open: 48 a year

## Getting there

Address: 43 Cross Road, Croydon, CR0 6TE

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.379788,-0.090943

- Station: East Croydon, 0.3 miles
- Station: East Croydon Tram Stop, 0.3 miles
- Station: Lebanon Road Tram Stop, 0.3 miles
- 14 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: King George's Field, 0.5 miles
- Playground: Playground, under 0.1 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.4 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.4 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.4 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.5 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 Croydon there are about 3.2 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: 5.0 out of 5 from 3 reviews (as of 11 November 2026)

## About: a day here

### Learning

The nursery's website names Montessori, Forest school, Reggio Emilia inspired, Play-based EYFS curriculum, In-the-moment planning, Nature-based approach and School readiness programme as its approaches. It lists SEND support and a SENCo, and names cooking activities.

- Montessori (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/why-ark-start/our-curriculum)
- Forest school (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/nursery/ark-start-oval)
- 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)
- Nature-based approach (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 and healthy snacks are 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)
- Healthy snacks provided (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/frequently-asked-questions)

### Outdoors

Its website says the nursery has its own garden and offers local outings and trips.

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

### Settling in

Its website says families are invited to stay-and-play sessions before the child starts, and a home visit is made. Each child gets a play partner who speaks to parents every day about how they are settling. Care details include a key person system and settling-in sessions.

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

### SEND and inclusion

- SEND support (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/nursery/ark-start-oval)
- SENCo (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/article/lauren-the-staff-at-ark-start-have-made-adaptations-in-the-room-so-that-my-son-can-still-join-in)

### Safety

Its website names a secure entry system as its security measure.

- Secure entry system (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/nursery/ark-start-oval)
- Parent app with daily updates (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/nursery/ark-start-oval)
- Near public transport (source: nursery website, https://www.arkstart.org.uk/nursery/ark-start-oval)

### Extras and activities

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

### Getting a place

According to its website, families submit an enquiry form for their chosen nursery on the website. The nursery then invites them to visit, and a child can be registered after that visit. The nursery accepts 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 Oval Primary Academy | Primary | 4–11 | Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Good (June 2025) | yes | 0.1 miles |
| St. Mary's Catholic Junior School | Primary | 7–11 | School remains Good (September 2023) |  | 0.2 miles |
| St Mary's Catholic Infant School | Primary | 3–7 | Good (October 2022) | yes | 0.2 miles |
| Tunstall Nursery School | Nursery | 2–5 | Standards maintained (May 2025) | yes | 0.3 miles |
| Chaffinch Brook School |  | 5–16 | Good (May 2024) |  | 0.5 miles |
| Broadmead Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Good (November 2023) | yes | 0.5 miles |
| John Wood School & Nursery | Primary | 4–11 | School remains Good (July 2024) |  | 0.5 miles |
| Park Hill Infant School | Primary | 5–7 | Outstanding (November 2023) |  | 0.6 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [MMI Preschool](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/mmi-preschool-ey407707) | Good |  |  | under 0.1 miles |
| [Mindful Nurseries - Addiscombe](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/mindful-nurseries-addiscombe-2806829) | Good |  | 07:30–18:30 | under 0.1 miles |
| [Ark Start, Oval](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/ark-start-oval-2629258) | Good |  | 08:00–17:00 | 0.1 miles |
| [Leapfrog Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/leapfrog-day-nursery-2497724) | Good | £80 | 08:00–18:00 | 0.1 miles |
| [Little Pumpkins Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-pumpkins-nursery-2597518) | Good | £99.83 | 07:30–18:00 | 0.2 miles |
| [Once Upon A Time Pre-School/after School Club](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/once-upon-a-time-pre-school-after-school-club-ey541860) | Good |  | 08:00–17:00 | 0.2 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### Does Ark Start Oval Day Nursery offer 30 funded hours?

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

### What are Ark Start Oval Day Nursery's opening hours?

Ark Start Oval Day Nursery opens 08:00–17:00, Mon–Fri.

### Is Ark Start Oval Day Nursery open all year?

Ark Start Oval Day Nursery is open 48 weeks a year.

### What ages does Ark Start Oval Day Nursery take?

Ark Start Oval Day Nursery takes children aged 9 months to 3 years.

### How many children can Ark Start Oval Day Nursery take?

Ark Start Oval Day Nursery is registered with Ofsted for up to 48 children at any one time.

### Are meals included at Ark Start Oval Day Nursery?

Meals are not included in the fees at Ark Start Oval Day Nursery.

### Does Ark Start Oval Day Nursery accept Tax-Free Childcare?

Yes. Ark Start Oval Day Nursery accepts Tax-Free Childcare payments.

### Who runs Ark Start Oval Day Nursery?

Ark Start Oval Day Nursery is run by Ark UK Programmes, which runs 9 nurseries.

### What approach does Ark Start Oval Day Nursery follow?

Ark Start Oval Day Nursery's website describes its approach as: Montessori, Forest school, Reggio Emilia inspired, Play-based EYFS curriculum, In-the-moment planning, Nature-based approach and School readiness programme.

### Does Ark Start Oval Day Nursery have outdoor space?

Ark Start Oval Day Nursery lists: Own garden and Local outings and trips.

### Does Ark Start Oval Day Nursery support children with SEND?

Ark Start Oval Day Nursery lists: SEND support and SENCo.

### What is the nearest station to Ark Start Oval Day Nursery?

East Croydon is the nearest station we know of, 0.3 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact Ark Start Oval Day Nursery?

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/16/2874979)
- Fees, hours and features: the nursery's website (www.arkstart.org.uk), as of 11 November 2026 (https://www.arkstart.org.uk/our-nurseries/oval-east-croydon-nursery/)
- Rating and review themes: Google, as of 11 November 2026 (https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Ark+Start+Oval+Day+Nursery+-+East+Croydon&query_place_id=ChIJ54hOr_UBdkgRV5HPUMHfDPA)
- 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.