Noah's Ark Preschool

Children's own questions shape the learning at Noah's Ark Preschool, a Christian setting at Gracious Street Methodist Church in Knaresborough that welcomes families of every faith and none. Its In the Moment Planning approach means adults respond to a child's interest as it develops, using questions, demonstrations and conversation to extend the play.

At its 21 May 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the preschool Outstanding and found that children made exceptional progress, with challenging interactions and strong encouragement to develop their own ideas. That judgement has concrete examples behind it: children adjusted a ball run, turned stories into imaginative play and used mathematical language while working things out.

There are 20 places in total, a whole-setting capacity rather than a promise about the number attending any particular session. Funded provision for two-year-olds and paid provision for three- and four-year-olds feature in the attendance offer, subject to the funding conditions below. Morning, afternoon and full-day sessions give families different ways to organise preschool around the rest of their week.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage brings together learning through play, physical development, communication and relationships, alongside early reading, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. Noah's Ark combines activities chosen by children with experiences led by adults. This is the shared early-years framework; In the Moment Planning describes how the team responds within it.

A workshop-style environment and a system of focus children support that approach. Adults observe what a child is doing, consider what it reveals about their thinking and respond at the useful moment. Teaching includes introducing words, demonstrating techniques and posing questions during play. Observations from home also form part of the approach.

In May 2024, a ball-run construction became an exercise in testing ideas. Children altered their design to direct balls into a basket, while staff used questions to help them consider alternatives.

Books served different purposes that month. Information books helped children investigate interests, while a princess story prompted castle-building and the creation of character outfits. Mathematical vocabulary also entered routines and play, rather than being confined to a separate activity.

Outdoor and Community Life

The garden extends the possibilities for child-led activity. An account from May 2025 describes sawn logs and milk crates used to make an obstacle course, with help offered when a child found it challenging. Bug hunts and the discovery of slug eggs brought close observation into the same outdoor space.

Other May 2025 activities included an outdoor kitchen, a climbing frame and playdough used in imaginative food-making. Water play involved funnels and chutes, with children testing how to change the speed of the flow.

Music has a defined place in the staff structure through a Music Lead role, with singing and vocal play used to support children's confidence in using their voices. The Christian ethos also forms part of the experiences and environment.

Relationships and Communication

Parents can see and contribute to their child's learning profiles and observations throughout their time at preschool. Parents are also asked to review the profiles and give permission for them to accompany their child to the next school or nursery.

The Leuven scales add another way of observing children: staff consider how comfortable a child is and how deeply they engage in an activity. The scales sit alongside observations, rather than replacing them.

Staff offer families support with behaviour, speech and language worries, SEND, safeguarding and Early Help. SEND support roles sit within the team, and the preschool is committee run with volunteer support.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and reported that additional funding helped children experiencing disadvantage and those with SEND make excellent progress. The current staff structure includes a Safeguarding Lead role, while paediatric first aid training covers choking and anaphylaxis.

Snack time also gives children opportunities to practise independence, including choosing food, pouring drinks and preparing fruit; lunch is brought from home, with a request to exclude products containing nuts and use an icepack or cool block. Children eat together, and staff supervise snack and mealtimes with children within sight and hearing.

Moving to school receives attention beyond the final goodbye. In May 2025, children had opportunities to meet their new teachers both at preschool and at their new schools. Sharing learning profiles with parental permission gives the next setting information about the child as well as a chance to meet them.

Sessions and Attendance

Full-day sessions run from 9am to 3.30pm. Families can instead choose mornings from 9am to 12.30pm or afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. These are different booking patterns, with a shorter afternoon option and a morning that can connect to lunch cover.

Children may stay for lunch after a morning session or attend all day. Paid lunch cover is charged separately; additional-service costs associated with funded hours are absorbed by the preschool. The afternoon finishes at 3.30pm, making the collection time an important part of a family's weekly arrangements.

In May 2024, the preschool operated during term time, opening Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm and Friday from 9am to 12.30pm. Those hours describe that period; the session choices above are the present attendance offer.

Getting There

The address is Gracious Street Methodist Church, Chapel Street, Knaresborough, HG5 8AN. Enquiries can be made through the contact form or by telephone on 07842 818 176.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare is offered, but the entry conditions deserve close attention. The terms explain the universal 15-hour entitlement from the term after a child's third birthday, support for eligible two-year-olds and potential access to up to 30 funded hours for working families from the term after their child turns two. They also warn that new provision may be restricted to privately paid places for three- and four-year-olds and targeted government-funded places for two-year-olds. Entitlement and the preschool's participation in a particular arrangement are separate questions.

The targeted two-year-old offer covers up to 15 hours of early learning each week for families receiving extra support, with examples including Universal Credit and children with an Education, Health, and Care Plan. A funding code is required. Additional hours beyond a child's funded entitlement are charged, and current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

Costs associated with additional services during funded hours are absorbed by the preschool. If contributions become necessary in future, the terms say payments will be voluntary. Families provide packed lunches, nappies, wipes and spare clothes, including extras for toilet training. Snacks and drinks are supplied during sessions.

A deposit includes a bag, sweatshirt and profile folder, but is not mandatory for funded children. Late collection attracts a separate charge. These terms are detailed on the funding and fees page.

• Funding route and age. New provision may be restricted to paid places for three- and four-year-olds and targeted funded places for two-year-olds. These conditions can affect whether an entitlement fits the intended attendance arrangement.
• Collection and calendar. Afternoon and full-day sessions end at 3.30pm; operation was term time only in May 2024. At a visit, ask how the current calendar and your chosen sessions fit together.
• Christian ethos and child-led learning. All faiths and none are welcome, while Christian values shape the setting's experiences. A walk around offers an opportunity to discuss how this and In the Moment Planning work in your child's day.
• Lunch and allergies. Packed lunches come from home, and families are asked to exclude nut-containing products. Allergy-affected families should confirm current handling and supervision arrangements before attendance.

Noah's Ark suits families seeking a Christian preschool with an inclusive welcome, responsive teaching and a choice between morning, afternoon and full-day sessions. In the Moment Planning and the Leuven scales give substance to its attention to children's interests and engagement. The Outstanding judgement from May 2024 adds a strong assessment of the education and care at that time.

The practical decision centres on the funding route, collection time and provision of lunch and personal supplies. For families whose arrangements fit those terms, the attraction is clear: children have room to develop ideas, with adults ready to extend them.