# The Ark Montessori Nursery The Ark Montessori Nursery is a sessional pre-school at The Zakia Centre, 166 St. James's Road, Croydon, CR0 2UZ, in Broad Green, Croydon. It is registered for 30 children and takes children aged 2 years to 5 years. It opens 08:45–15:00, Mon–Fri, term time only. It offers funded places for 2-year-olds and the 30 funded hours for 3 and 4-year-olds. It has a Google rating of 4.4 from 16 reviews (November 2026). It is run by Neotrace Ltd. Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/the-ark-montessori-nursery-2867546 Last checked 11 November 2026. ## At a glance - Type: Sessional pre-school - Address: The Zakia Centre, 166 St. James's Road, Croydon, CR0 2UZ - Ages: 2 years to 5 years - Opening hours: 08:45–15:00, Mon–Fri - Weeks open: term time only - Registered places: 30 - Funded childcare: funded places for 2-year-olds and the 30 funded hours for 3 and 4-year-olds - Phone: 07463 032960 - Website: https://www.thearkmontessorinursery.com/ - Run by: [Neotrace Ltd](https://toddly.co.uk/groups/neotrace-ltd) - Ofsted URN: 2867546 ## 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 September 2025 (Reference 2867546). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2867546) - Inspections on record: None yet. Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2867546) - Registered places: 30 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2867546) ## Fees | Age | Half day | |---|---| | 2-year-olds | £30 | | 3 and over | £25 | Price per hour is the day rate over a 6.25-hour day, from the nursery's opening hours. Source: nursery website (https://www.thearkmontessorinursery.com/admissions-fees), 11 November 2026. Funded hours: 2-year-olds, 30 hours. ## Hours and ages - Monday to Friday: 08:45–15:00 - Ages: 2 years to 5 years - Weeks open: term time only - Sessions: half day ## Getting there Address: The Zakia Centre, 166 St. James's Road, Croydon, CR0 2UZ Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.382747,-0.099030 - Station: West Croydon Tram Stop, 0.2 miles - Station: West Croydon, 0.3 miles, no step-free access - Station: Wellesley Road Tram Stop, 0.5 miles - 15 bus stops within 400 m - Park: Wilford Road Recreation Ground, 0.2 miles - Park: Whitehorse Road Recreation Ground, 0.4 miles - Park: King George's Field, 0.5 miles - Playground: Playground, 0.2 miles - Playground: Playground, 0.2 miles - Playground: Playground, 0.3 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: 4.4 out of 5 from 16 reviews (as of 11 November 2026) ## About: a day here ### Learning Its website says the nursery follows a Montessori approach and a Play-based EYFS curriculum. Activities named on its website include music classes and language classes. - Montessori (source: nursery website, https://www.thearkmontessorinursery.com/) - Play-based EYFS curriculum (source: nursery website, https://www.thearkmontessorinursery.com/our-programmes) ### Settling in Its website says the nursery arranges settling-in sessions to help the child transition smoothly, such as short introductory visits and a gradual increase in attendance. Settling-in sessions are also listed under care details on its website. - Term-time only (source: nursery website, https://www.thearkmontessorinursery.com/) - Half-day sessions (source: nursery website, https://www.thearkmontessorinursery.com/admissions-fees) - Settling-in sessions (source: nursery website, https://www.thearkmontessorinursery.com/admissions-fees) ### Extras and activities - Music classes (source: nursery website, https://www.thearkmontessorinursery.com/) - Language classes (source: nursery website, https://www.thearkmontessorinursery.com/our-programmes) ### Getting a place Its website says families make an enquiry, arrange a visit and complete a registration form, and a registration fee may apply. After a place is confirmed, families accept the offer, pay any deposit or first fees and submit required documents before the start date. The nursery accepts funded hours for 2-year-olds, the universal 15 funded hours for 3-4 year olds, and 30 funded hours for eligible 3-4 year olds. ## Nearby schools Distances are in a straight line. | School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | St. Mary's Catholic Junior School | Primary | 7–11 | School remains Good (September 2023) | | 0.2 miles | | Chestnut Park Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Standards maintained (October 2024) | | 0.3 miles | | St Mary's Catholic Infant School | Primary | 3–7 | Good (October 2022) | yes | 0.3 miles | | Elmwood Junior School | Primary | 7–11 | School remains Good (March 2023) | | 0.4 miles | | Elmwood Infant School | Primary | 3–7 | School remains Good (July 2024) | yes | 0.4 miles | | Broadmead Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Good (November 2023) | yes | 0.5 miles | | Al-Khair School Preparatory School | | 4–11 | | | 0.5 miles | | 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 | 0.5 miles | ## Nearby nurseries | Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Inspire Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/inspire-day-nursery-ey462144) | Good | | 07:30–18:30 | 0.2 miles | | [Gingerbread Corner](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/gingerbread-corner-124925) | Good | | 07:45–18:30 | 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 | | [Junior VIPs Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/junior-vips-nursery-ey536922) | Good | | | 0.2 miles | | [Little Pumpkins Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-pumpkins-nursery-2597518) | Good | £99.83 | 07:30–18:00 | 0.3 miles | | [Leapfrog Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/leapfrog-day-nursery-2497724) | Good | £80 | 08:00–18:00 | 0.3 miles | ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does The Ark Montessori Nursery cost? The Ark Montessori Nursery publishes these fees: half day £30 for 2-year-olds and half day £25 for 3 and over (nursery website, November 2026). Funded hours and Tax-Free Childcare can reduce what you pay. ### Does The Ark Montessori Nursery offer 30 funded hours? Yes. The Ark Montessori Nursery offers the 30 funded hours for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds. ### Does The Ark Montessori Nursery take funded 2-year-olds? Yes. The Ark Montessori Nursery offers funded places for eligible 2-year-olds. ### What are The Ark Montessori Nursery's opening hours? The Ark Montessori Nursery opens 08:45–15:00, Mon–Fri. ### Is The Ark Montessori Nursery open all year? No. The Ark Montessori Nursery is open term time only. ### What ages does The Ark Montessori Nursery take? The Ark Montessori Nursery takes children aged 2 years to 5 years. ### How many children can The Ark Montessori Nursery take? The Ark Montessori Nursery is registered with Ofsted for up to 30 children at any one time. ### Who runs The Ark Montessori Nursery? The Ark Montessori Nursery is run by Neotrace Ltd, which runs 2 nurseries. ### What approach does The Ark Montessori Nursery follow? The Ark Montessori Nursery's website describes its approach as: Montessori and Play-based EYFS curriculum. ### What is the nearest station to The Ark Montessori Nursery? West Croydon is the nearest station we know of, 0.3 miles away in a straight line. ### How do I contact The Ark Montessori Nursery? You can call 07463 032960 and visit www.thearkmontessorinursery.com. ## Sources - Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2867546) - Fees, hours and features: the nursery's website (www.thearkmontessorinursery.com), as of 11 November 2026 (https://www.thearkmontessorinursery.com/) - Rating and review themes: Google, as of 11 November 2026 (https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=The+Ark+Montessori+Nursery&query_place_id=ChIJgT0NT8YGdkgRvgHVAwTZzPM) - 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.