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Discover flexible and affordable childcare across our nurseries in London and West Yorkshire.
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Why Ark Start?

Our nurseries are so much more than childcare. They are environments where children grow braver, find their voice, make real friends, and leave ready for what comes next.
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News & blog

Explore our blog for expert insights, practical tips for families and the latest news and updates from our nurseries. 
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Jobs

Help give children the best start in life. Explore our latest opportunities and build your career in early years with Ark Start.
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Our impact

We believe high-quality early years education should be within everyone’s reach. Here’s how Ark Start is making that a reality for children, families and the communities we serve.

Why we exist

Ark Start is a non-profit group of nurseries, founded by qualified teachers passionate about ensuring that every child has access to an excellent early years education and that families have access to flexible and affordable childcare.

Today, we run nine nurseries across London and we’re growing, with new nurseries opening in Bingley, Pontefract and Bradford as we bring Ark Start to more families in West Yorkshire.

Closing the gap from the very start

88%

Over the past five years, 88% of Ark Start children have reached the expected level of development, compared to 68% nationally.

95%

95% of parents report satisfaction with their child’s nursery experience, and 90% see clear progress.

There’s a vast difference with children who come to us from Ark Start. Compared to children from other settings, Ark Start pupils begin Reception with a strong foundation for early reading.

Glenn Prior Principal, Ark John Archer Primary Academy

The Ark Start approach

Explore the curriculum, teaching and values that shape our nurseries.

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Insights from our experts

  • Early years insights

    Starting inclusion early

    03 August 2026Ciara O’Carroll
    More funding and staff training, as well as allowing specialists to work directly with nurseries, will be key to making early years truly inclusive.
  • Early years insights

    Beyond empty classrooms: why school-based nurseries need more than buildings

    11 June 2026Katie Oliver
    School based nursery programmes can do far more than fill under used classrooms. Multi academy trusts, schools and early years providers can work together to give every child the best start.
  • Early years insights

    Why learning through play is key in early years education

    09 May 2025Molly Devlin
    At Ark Start, we believe that early years is a critical phase in a child’s education and that a great start in life will help children thrive at school and beyond.
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Our relationship with Ark

Ark Start is part of Ark, a leading education charity working to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Ark runs 48 schools across Birmingham, Hastings, London, Pontefract and Portsmouth.

Find out more about Ark

Join our team

We’re always looking for passionate people to help give children the strongest start in life. Explore our latest roles and training opportunities at Ark Start.

Work with us