Our History

The Ark Association evolved from the Northgate Playgroup in July 1983, when Mrs Mary-Jane Naylor and parents were offered the use of a wooden building on a year’s lease at Catmose Lodge in Oakham.
 
A competition was run to find a name for the new nursery and hence The Ark was formed. After applying for charitable status, it was decided that a more permanent home should be found and the old scout hut just off Westfield Avenue became the Ark’s home.
 
In 1991, The Ark was invited to open a second site within Oakham Church of England School in Burley Road. 1994 saw the opening of a purpose built nursery building enabling The Ark to open a Kids Club for before and after school care in addition to its pre-school activities. The Ark 2 moved into new premises on Burley Road as a result of the new build of Oakham C of E school. 

'Thank you for all that you have done for my children in their nursery journeys'