East Croydon nursery
We are very pleased that Ark Start, Ark’s nursery programme, is operating from Ark Oval Academy.
✔️ Children from 9 months old are eligible
✔️ 15 or 30 hours per week funded childcare available for 2 and 3 year olds
✔️ Places available all year round or just during school term time
✔️ Flexible booking: 9am to 12pm, 12pm to 3pm or 8am to 5pm.
✔️ You can apply at any point in the year
✔️ Rated Good by Ofsted
Our nursery is about much more than childcare
Ark Start was set up by a group of qualified educators passionate about ensuring that every child has access to an excellent early years education and that families have access to flexible and affordable childcare.
Our team ensures every child has a joyful, engaging and secure nursery experience and leaves us ready to start school happily and confidently.
Fully qualified early years educators
Our nursery staff are fully trained and qualified as educators, expert in delivering the government's Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
Learning and exploring outside
Our nursery has a large and specially designed outdoor area. Children benefit from stimulating outdoor learning, where they are supported to explore nature and develop their movement skills.
Curriculum designed by specialists
Our early years curriculum is structured around storytelling, encouraging children to tell their own stories and listen to others' stories.
FAQs
Each session at Ark Start is a 3-hour block of time and we are open for 3 sessions per day:
- Morning – 9am to 12pm
- Afternoon – 12pm to 3pm
- Wrap Around – 8am to 9am and 3pm to 5pm
(it is only possible to book 3 hours as 1 session – they can’t be booked separately)
Please see the full guide from Ark Start here
The date you can start accessing free childcare depends on your child’s birthday. Childcare works in terms. There are three terms in a year starting in January, April and September.
| Child Born Between | Start Date From |
| 1 April – 31 August | September |
| 1 September - 31 December | January |
| 1 January – 31 March | April |
You need to have successfully applied before the next term starts. If you miss the deadline, you need to wait until the next term even if your child is eligible to have started. You are able to apply 16 weeks (approx 3 and a half months) before your child’s birthday.
It is encouraged to apply early to ensure your application is approved in time. The government suggests applying at least one month before the deadline.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying to our nursery, please visit the Ark Start nursery web page.