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Ark Start’s Director of Early Years, Molly Devlin, receives Educator’s Trust Award

18 March 2025

The 2025 edition of the Educators’ Trust Awards recognised excellence in Early Childhood Education

We are delighted to announce that Molly Devlin, Director of Early Years at Ark Start, has been awarded the Inspirational Educator Award in Early Childhood Education at the Educator’s Trust Awards 2025.

Molly has been a key figure at Ark Start since its establishment in 2020. She has led the development of the innovative and ambitious early years curriculum, as well as the training of apprentices and teaching staff across our five nurseries in London. She is also responsible for the running of these settings, ensuring that every child at Ark Start has a joyful nursery experience and leaves us ready to start school happily and confidently. 

Her impact extends beyond Ark Start into the wider early years sector. In September 2024, she was appointed as an expert advisor on Ofsted’s Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment external reference group. She was also consulted by the Education Endowment Foundation in October 2023 to help shape the Early Years Toolkit. Molly also collaborates with Kindred Squared foundation to develop teaching materials for nursery staff and parents.

Boosting school readiness

Under Molly’s leadership, Ark Start has been exceptionally successful in preparing children for school. Since its launch, 89% of children who attended our nurseries and transitioned to an Ark primary school have achieved a Good Level of Development (GLD) at the end of Reception, compared to the 2024 national average of 67.7%.