The Ark 's Reviews

Childminder

Below are the parent reviews for The Ark . Back to The Ark 's profile

Average Rating: 5 stars (5 from 7 reviews)

The Ark is the most warm, caring, loving and trusting environment, Sally, Nigel and Janice have created an environment where you are welcomed as part of the family, all the children are supported and encouraged to develop as their own individual personalities but also to get along with the other children,
The setting is fantastic with so much outdoor space to explored and be creative in.

Their understanding of each childs needs and the feedback that they give makes you feel like you've been a part of your childs day (sometimes they don't want to leave!)

Our oldest stayed until he was 5 I have no doubt that he moved into primary school confident and happy because of the start that he got with The Ark, we only wish our youngest could have stayed on as long.

I highly recommend them as a setting and sing their praises to everyone

  • 5 stars Overall
  • 5 stars Setting
  • 5 stars Cleanliness
  • 5 stars Food
  • 5 stars Communication

by Avatar for Kim Kim about Avatar for The Ark The Ark on 03/07/2023


Response by Avatar for The Ark The Ark on 09/07/2023:

Oh Kim, such a lovely review and thank you for taking the time to leave one even after you have moved to pastures new! Ark family ALWAYS!

We found Sally, Nigel and Janice 4 years ago now and I can honestly say choosing the Ark for our boys has been the best decision we made for their childcare!

We found Sally while I was on maternity leave with my second son after being disappointed by a previous inflexible nursery setting with my eldest.

Sally and the Ark couldn’t have been more different. They are incredibly supportive and caring of every child, taking the time to really get to know them and understand what motivates each child and setting up the setting each day with activities specifically designed to appeal to the children attending each day.

They were great at helping us settle in our eldest (who settled incredibly quickly!) and then welcomed our youngest into the Ark family when he was 10 months old. I loved seeing our boys together in one setting and playing with all different age groups.

When our eldest left for school, the youngest didn’t even bat an eyelid because of the really strong bonds he’d formed with the other children and with Sally, Nigel and Janice. They have both absolutely loved going to the Ark and I can honestly say I’ve never worried about either of the children while they’ve been at Ark knowing they will be incredibly well looked after, supported and loved.

Both boys have thrived being with Sally, Nigel and Janice and I only wish they continued the Ark into primary school!

  • 5 stars Overall
  • 5 stars Setting
  • 5 stars Cleanliness
  • 5 stars Food
  • 5 stars Communication

by Avatar for jen K jen K about Avatar for The Ark The Ark on 19/06/2023


Response by Avatar for The Ark The Ark on 19/06/2023:

Oh thank you so much for this lovely review. I’m so glad you found us too 💕 (Dreading September though 😬)

I’m struggling to know where to start with a review for Sally and team Ark. It is such a gift to be able to drop my son off with people he knows and loves every day, and knowing that he will always be incredibly well cared for, supported and given the freedom to play and explore. The environment at Dunham School house is utterly magical and every time we drop off I think the same. Being in a mixed age group but with all the facilities of a nursery is just perfect and it really does feel like a little family. Sally is an amazing early years professional, her insight into the world of the little people in her care is absolutely second to none and I consider it a total privilege that my son has been able to benefit from this and being part of the Ark family.

  • 5 stars Overall
  • 5 stars Setting
  • 5 stars Cleanliness
  • 5 stars Food
  • 5 stars Communication

by Avatar for JessT13 JessT13 about Avatar for The Ark The Ark on 19/06/2023


Response by Avatar for The Ark The Ark on 19/06/2023:

Oh, thank you so much! This is such a wonderful review and I’m so happy you feel that way. The privilege however is ours!!! 💕

I went back to work full time after 8 months, so I wanted a childcare provider that I could trust leaving my little baby with. After having looked around numerous nurseries and other childminders, Sally and the team at The Ark were by far the best. If you want your child to have plenty of time outside, with stability of the same people looking after them, i.e. no turnover of staff, with people who know what they are doing and will care for your children as if they are their own, then the ark is for you. Both my boys go there now and I love how all ages are together. It means my boys can play together, and I’ve seen the youngest really progress playing with older children, and it is a joy to see how good my eldest is with the younger ones and feeling grown up and taking responsibility to help them. The school house is such an amazing location, it feels like going back in time when I drop them off in the morning. They run in sometimes even forgetting to say goodbye to me. I honestly wouldn’t send them anywhere else and it is a massive weight off my mind to know that I don’t need to worry about them at nursery at all. They literally could not be looked after better or have a better time. It’s such a personal service, it really is the best of both worlds. Absolutely 100% recommended.

  • 5 stars Overall
  • 5 stars Setting
  • 5 stars Cleanliness
  • 5 stars Food
  • 5 stars Communication

by Avatar for Susie Susie about Avatar for The Ark The Ark on 18/06/2023


Response by Avatar for The Ark The Ark on 19/06/2023:

This is such a lovely review. Thank you so much. They do run in at drop off, but also run out again at home time! Perfect.

Both my kids had the very best start to their early years education. Sally and her team provide the most welcoming home from home emotional support but at the same time providing the most wonderful blend of play based learning, child led learning but most of all the wonderful school house and gardens they have! Both my kids have thrived at the ark. Learning essential social skills and imagination based play, the art of peer negotiation too! Nigel is master chef and the kids have such an incredible selection of healthy foods to get stuck into! Something you couldn’t possibly wish more for! I genuinely feel so fortunate to have found Sally and team! The care my two have had is nothing short of feeling like they are with family. Totally trusted and will be a part of our lives for a long time yet! Could not recommend highly enough. X

  • 5 stars Overall
  • 5 stars Setting
  • 5 stars Cleanliness
  • 5 stars Food
  • 5 stars Communication

by Avatar for Pindypop Pindypop about Avatar for The Ark The Ark on 18/06/2023


Response by Avatar for The Ark The Ark on 18/06/2023:

Thank you so much for this lovely review. This is exactly how we want our families to feel when they leave their children with us…that they are with family ❤️

My children love going to Sally and they have so much fun whilst being stimulated in a loving and safe enviorment. My eldest child who attends reception school goes in all of the school holidays and my little one goes 3 days a week.

The care that my children receive from Sally and her assiant Janice is of an exceptional standard and they always have a smile on thier face when i pick them up.

Not only does she provide home based care which is packed full of arts and craft activities. She also runs the Ark toddler groups and playgroups so my children also benefit from the social settings that these provide.

Sally is an excellent childminder who i would highly recommend.

Nikki Clements April 2012

  • 5 stars Overall

by Avatar for Parent Parent about Avatar for The Ark The Ark on 30/04/2012

The contents of this review are no longer available as the reviewer's account has been deleted.

  • 5 stars Overall

by Avatar for Parent Parent about Avatar for The Ark The Ark on 05/07/2010

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