News7th November 2025

Ark Start is closing the ‘disadvantage gap’, says Education Policy Institute

An evaluation by the Education Policy Institute has found that Ark Start is “impacting the disadvantage gap” between children on free school meals (FSM) and their more advantaged peers.

Early YearsArk Start

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Ark Start John Keats in Enfield

The report said that pupils who attended Ark Start nurseries, including those on FSM, achieved above the national average on the good level of development (GLD) measures used to assess early years’ children at the end of reception. Assessors found that the nurseries were closing the attainment gap between non-FSM and FSM pupils.

The evaluation was commissioned as part of The Mercers’ company Early Years Special Initiative. Ark Start received funding between 2020 and 2023, alongside other organisations working to improve outcomes for our youngest children.

The associated evaluation praised Ark Start’s investment in staff. They said that “Ark’s investment in staff CPD (Continuing Professional Development) has not only promoted the high-quality delivery of their curriculum, enrichment programme and parenting programme, but also means most of their staff expect to stay with them for at least two years, ensuring continuity.”

All staff reported that they were happy in their role and were receiving high-quality training. Staff also said they felt listened to, valued by their line manager, and that they felt increasingly skilled in implementing the curriculum and working with parents.

The Education Policy Institute’s assessors highlighted Ark Start’s parental engagement activities, including the ‘Parent Power’ programme run in partnership with Citizens UK, which provides a space for families to work together on a range of issues affecting them in the community.

The Education Policy Institute credited Ark Start’s success to “achievements and ongoing work integrating training and development into their operational model”.

The Institute also noted that Ark Start “shared learnings about best practice” as part of a coalition working for change in early years education, and collaborated effectively with organisations including Early Education, LEYF, KindredSquared, Frontier Economics, the Women’s Budget Group and the Department for Education.

Ark Start Managing Director Katie Oliver said, “I’m delighted that the Education Policy Institute has seen Ark Start’s commitment to delivering outstanding early years’ education for all our families.

“Our nurseries are run by passionate and qualified educators, and they provide a foundation for lifelong learning.

“We strive to create a nurturing, joyful, and stimulating environment where every child feels safe, engaged and empowered. And we value and develop our staff so they can also grow and thrive.”