Noahs Ark's

Fruit experiments, pretend cooking and woodland outings give Noahs Ark's a practical, hands-on character in its February 2023 account of daily life. At its 13 February 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. The clearest reservation concerned extending learning for the youngest children.

Based at 146 Mayes Road, London N22 6SY, the nursery has 46 places in total and accepts children aged 3 to 60 months. Its opening hours run from 8am to 6pm on weekdays.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning and care: play supports development across its areas of learning, rather than being separate from education.

In February 2023, babies explored paint with brushes and used pretend food in imaginative play. Toddlers paired the Very Hungry Caterpillar Story with real fruit, connecting storytelling with early number work. Shells, leaves and conkers brought natural objects into their exploration. These examples show how familiar materials can give children something concrete to talk about.

For preschool children that February, making juice and preparing tea with actual tea bags created opportunities to discuss smells, ideas and intentions. Weekly sport and regular outings to nearby woods and a park also featured. Art, storytelling and music introduced children to cultures beyond their own experience, giving everyday activities a broader social purpose.

In February 2023, settling involved staff spending time getting to know children and their families, helping connect home routines with nursery life. At its February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that staff collaboration with other early-years professionals supported children with special educational needs and/or disabilities in making good progress.

Healthy routines that February included nutritious food, visits to a dentist and activities involving tooth brushing. Staff also understood how to recognise potential harm and follow reporting procedures; recruitment checks and daily assessments of environmental risks formed part of safeguarding arrangements.

Professional learning needed further attention. In February 2023, staff received mentoring and support, but opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills were not being used fully. That matters because support for practitioners should also sharpen what they do with children.

Noahs Ark's opens Monday to Friday, from 8am until 6pm, throughout the year, with a Christmas closure. The address is 146 Mayes Road, London N22 6SY.

In February 2023, the nursery received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of funding participation.

• Language for younger children. In February 2023, staff sometimes missed opportunities to take babies' and toddlers' conversation and learning further. This deserves particular attention when choosing care for a younger child.
• Staff development. The February 2023 improvement priorities included making fuller use of professional development. Families should weigh this alongside the mentoring already in place at that time.
• Planning attendance. The weekday opening window and Christmas closure shape family routines. At a visit, which attendance arrangements and funded-hours terms would fit your child's needs?

Noahs Ark's suits families seeking weekday care across the year, with a practical learning style illustrated by its February 2023 activities. The Good judgement gives a clear quality baseline. For parents of babies and toddlers, the priority is how effectively everyday play now develops language, alongside the staff-development work highlighted that February.