Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

1-4 The Parade, Regents Plaza, Kilburn High Road, London NW6 5TR
Review Us
9.9 81 Reviews
Abacus Ark Maida Vale is a nurturing nursery for children aged 10 months to 5 years, set in the heart of Kilburn High Road. The nursery provides a calm, welcoming atmosphere where every child is encouraged to learn, express, and grow at their own pace.

Drawing inspiration from both the Reggio Emilia and Montessori philosophies, the setting places great importance on enabling environments—beautiful, engaging spaces that promote independence, creativity, and meaningful exploration. Children are seen as capable learners, supported to take the lead in their development through hands-on, purposeful play.

Central to the approach is the Abacus Ark FIRST Curriculum, which nurtures each child’s development in five key areas:
Focus, Independence, Resilience, Social understanding, and Trustworthiness. Through carefully planned experiences, consistent routines, and strong emotional support, children develop the confidence and skills needed not just for school—but for life.

With a dedicated team, inspiring spaces, and close family partnerships, Maida Vale offers a thoughtful and enriching early years journey.

With thoughtfully designed spaces, engaging activities, and a dedicated team, Maida Vale provides a meaningful and confident start to each child’s early years journey.
... Read more
Show Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale on the Map

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Kaysha (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 14

Total Places for Children

  • 60

Age Range

  • from 0 years 10 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Fees from £849 + per month

  • Full time hours are 8am-6pm, minimum 3 Days attendance.

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 2 weeks at Christmas

Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale Reviews (81)

Total of 81, showing 61-80
9.9

Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.906) out of 10, based on 17 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale has 81 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 74
  • 7
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Date Published

81
6
8
17
64

Review from Rahana H (Mother of Child) published on 1 September 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My son's first time at pre-school and I'm very happy with the way he is looked after, really happy with the improvement I've seen in my son's learning. My son also loves going nursery as he really enjoys it and he is very happy, as a parent if you see your child happy that is the biggest relief for
parents.

Reply from Anita McInally, Owner at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you very much for your comments. We love seeing your son enjoy all the activities at nursery and watching him grow and develop. Thank you for partnering with us on his journey at Abacus Ark!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Louise (Mother of Child) published on 27 August 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Abacus Ark is a wonderful nursery. My daughter has been there for 2 years and has been happy since day 1. The teachers are kind and supportive, very much appreciating the individuality of each child and their needs. The atmosphere is fun and engaging but not chaotic. There seems to be a good balance
of structured activities/lessons and free play, as well as outdoor activities at nearby parks. They serve 3 meals and 2 snacks a day, all healthy. They also provide nappies, wipes, etc which is convenient. We get regular updates and photos/videos of activities through an app, so we can see what the children have been doing. The nursery is very well run and handled the challenges of the pandemic very well, eg. Zoom classes and regular updates during lockdown (even hosting a parents quiz), and the re-opening after lockdown was seamless. Highly recommend.

Reply from Anita McInally, Owner at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you so much for your comments. It's wonderful to hear how much your daughter is enjoying nursery and it's an absolute pleasure to be able to care for her. There were certainly lots of challenges during lockdown and we couldn't have made it without the support of our parents. Thank you!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Anca C (Mother of Child) published on 27 August 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son started nursery at Abacus a few months ago and I’m very pleased with the nursery and my son’s progress. In the beginning, my son was having a hard time with the morning drop off but with the love and patience of his teachers and carers he began to love it. His day is packed with different interactive
and educational activities based on his abilities, as much outdoor time as possible with lovely bubble machines, fresh fruit, and games. As a parent you want your child to be happy and safe, in a positive environment that will stimulate him to develop well and Abacus Ark definitely does this well. I also get pictures and videos of his activities, some very cute, and a diary of his basic needs being met such as food intake, nappy changes, sleep time, and a few more. I hope this helps other parents when choosing a nursery as I know how stressful this can be when you don’t know if this is the right environment for their most precious.

Reply from Anita McInally, Owner at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

One of the most important things to us is the happiness of the children in our care and so to receive this feedback is wonderful. We're glad your son has settled so well and is enjoying and getting immersed in all that we have to offer.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Joyce-Maria M (Mother of Child) published on 27 August 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My daughter started at Abacus in March. Since she’s started my child has progressed, she’s happy when she goes to school. I’m always updated via the app which is so lovely for me and I love one member of staff, in particular, she’s amazing. Lovely teachers as well. I’m very happy I chose this nursery.

Reply from Anita McInally, Owner at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you very much for your comments. We love having your daughter at our nursery and seeing how much she's thriving!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Kay W (Mother of Child) published on 5 August 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

In simple words, this nursery has provided the best possible care to my son. He started this nursery at 14 months old as a shy quiet baby and he is now the most confident and outgoing little boy who can talk in sentences, recognise the whole alphabet, numbers 1-100, all his shapes, animals, he even
knows some jolly phonics and he is only 26months old. Although we do a lot of extra work with him at home to develop his knowledge and skills, the nursery has also been paramount in how knowledgeable he is today. The team plan some amazing fun and creative activities and he is so happy to go into nursery. He loves his teachers and his friends, it is obvious he feels safe, secure, and confident. The nursery manager is also very understanding and flexible where possible. I rate this nursery 10/10 and recommend it to anyone considering a place for their child!

Reply from Anita McInally, Owner at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you very much for your comments. It's been an absolute delight to see how much he has developed and we are honoured to be part of his wonderful journey, alongside you.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Deborah T (Mother of Child) published on 5 August 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I would definitely recommend Abacus Ark Nursery. My son Joseph has attended during the 2 past years Abacus Maida Vale and I’m really thankful to all the team for their hard work, kindness, patience, transparency, and their ability to adapt, particularly during the covid period, with both parents and
children. My son is almost 3 years old and he is able now to tell all the months of the year, he counts very well both in French and English, he knows many songs and he is very excited and happy to attend the nursery every day, which is actually the best sign for parents. We can also feel that the teachers love their job and are really invested in the children’s development. My little one really enjoys doing many different activities from painting to cooking and gained a lot of autonomy throughout the year. So we will only keep good memories from Abacus Ark nursery and I would encourage everyone to discover their great team and lovely atmosphere!

Reply from Anita McInally, Owner at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you, Deborah. It's always a delight to see children grow into confident, curious and happy individuals. Our staff have so enjoyed being part of your son's development and we are always so pleased to hear that our children love coming to the nursery every day!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Carolyn W (Mother of Child) published on 19 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have two children who attend this nursery. From the moment I saw it in person, I knew this was the right one and I was never disappointed. The nursery itself is bright and cheery. The teachers have been incredible. My three-year-old son writes numbers and letters very well and has learned so much
since he started. He adores his teachers and you can see why. They’re genuinely caring, attentive and encouraging to the kids while teaching them manners and how to follow routines and rules. My youngest son was a late talker and he came on leaps and bounds through his schooling and has become a confident young kid who chatters away and loves to get involved in everything. They post regular updates on what the kids are up to on an app and the range of activities they do is amazing. I couldn’t speak more highly of this nursery. They’re brilliant!

Reply from Anita McInally, Owner at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Hi Carolyn, thank you so much for such a wonderful review. We have loved having your family with us during this journey!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Anna P (Mother of Child) published on 2 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We were very fortunate to get into this nursery! We were looking for a nursery during the lockdown period and most nurseries did not let you go inside, and how can you choose a nursery? When I met and made a virtual tour of the nursery Abacus Ark(Maida Vale), my heart suggested to me that it was the
one. After communicating with all the nurseries around, I can say with accuracy, in this nursery your child will be in good hands! It is very clean, teachers are just wonderful: caring, kind, creative and positive! Despite the fact that they do not have their own territory outside, they are constantly walking out! Also daily creative classes: drawing, dancing, music! The settling period passed quickly and painless for the child and for mom! The child loves this nursery, our key teacher is just amazing! She is very professional, kind and full of love and it is felt by both mom and child.
I recommend from all my heart, the best nursery in the district!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Abigail M (Mother of Child) published on 31 December 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Prior to Abacus Ark, I had visited a couple of schools in Maida Vale that were deemed to be the best. However, in my opinion, they did not compare to this nursery. The teachers at Abacus Ark are loving, energetic, and work extremely hard to cater to the interests and needs of each child. The teaching
is of a high standard and they truly prepare all of the children for the next stage of education – primary school. I cannot recommend this nursery enough. Please do not be put off by the fact that there is not an outdoor play area. Personally, it has not been a hindrance at all (and I don’t have a garden). The children visit the park daily and on their journey, they learn about road safety, how to conduct themselves, and an array of other factors. Selecting this nursery has been one of the best decisions that I have made! I have been unbelievably happy sending my son to this nursery, and for two years he has been unbelievably happy being a part of this nursery. I love Abacus Ark.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Jenny W (Mother of Child) published on 21 November 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have had both of my children go to this nursery and I'm honestly going to be so upset when they leave. Abacus Ark gives off such a wonderful, loving vibe, every child is looked after and loved like the individuals they are. They are supported by such a wonderful group of staff, with such passion for
each of the children. The facilities are great - security is very reassuring and nothing is too much trouble for them. Can't recommend enough.

Reply from Christina Vines at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you very much for your lovely review.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Bibi S (Mother of Child) published on 21 November 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It’s difficult to put into words how outstanding this nursery is. Both my children have been extremely happy at Abacus Ark (3 year age gap). The love, care, fun and nurturing they give to the children is better than you could ever wish for. The teachers genuinely have fun with the children, and each
child is nurtured in the way that suits them best. This isn’t even mentioning the academic side of things (where both my kids learnt all their sounds and numbers to 20 before starting school). Such a lovely range of activities too, it really is the best of both worlds. I am a teacher myself and been in countless nurseries in my time, Abacus goes above and beyond on every level and I just feel so lucky my two little ones got to experience it.

Reply from Christina at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you very much for your lovely review.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from S S (Mother of Child) published on 1 October 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent staff, wonderful caring environment. My son was happy and confident and always learning. He is now one of the most confident children in his new school.

Reply from Christina Vines at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you for your lovely review.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Zara J (Mother of Child) published on 12 September 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am very pleased with the education provided to my daughter. It was very wholesome, not only academic but also the arts and sports as well as etiquette and boundaries. All of the staff at Abacus Ark, Maida-Vale have always been welcoming and I would wholeheartedly recommend this nursery to anybody
in or around the area.

Reply from Christina Vines at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you very much for your lovely review.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from J D (Mother of Child) published on 12 July 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Brilliant nursery overall, very warm and welcoming staff that builds an excellent rapport with children. Use of the web app to update parents with comments and photos is a big plus.
Shame the nursery does not have its own outdoor space but compensates for this with regular trips to the nearest garden
space, parks and libraries. No on-site kitchen but in the process of chasing food providers. Overall great, especially the lovely teachers.
Good management.

Reply from Christina at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you for your lovely review.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Hannah M (Mother of Child) published on 2 July 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My daughter is almost 3 years old and has been attending Abacus for the past 6 months. I can recommend enough. The staff is so welcoming and smiling all the time. They give you great and precise feedback at the end of the day. It feels like a small family. My little one is rushing to go to nursery in
the morning and I can feel the progress she has made by listening to her singing all the songs and stories she learns, colours, shapes and independent playing time as well. They are not afraid of putting out some messy play, going out 1/2 times a day to local garden or library in winter!
I was also amazed by the activities proposed: dancing lesson, football, and drama to keep them very busy even at a small age.
Of course, some nurseries have bigger indoor space but it is very well organised and lots of different corners and resources.

Reply from Christina at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank You for your lovely review!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Kim N (Mother of Child) published on 28 June 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is a great nursery. My two kids come here and I have been pleased. The value for money is also brilliant compared to local ones.
The staff are wonderful and positive. My kids have settled in amazingly and I think this is not only down to their personalities but also how safe and welcome they feel
at the nursery.
The downside I would say is the outside space. It is great that they learn about road safety but sometimes having somewhere on the doorstep is also nice. I think the initiatives with partnering with local businesses such as the gym, library visits etc is also brilliant. Overall, very well done to everyone at Abacus Ark nursery. A big thumbs up.

Reply from Christina Vines at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you for your review.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from K E (Mother of Child) published on 21 June 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been at this nursery since 2 years ago.
Her home language is not English, so she had an anxious feeling at the beginning stage. However, all the teachers of this nursery are wonderful, professional, not rude and very active with the children. My daughter has good confidence with all
the teachers.
Although this nursery doesn't have a garden, children can go to the garden near the nursery every day in good weather.
I'm very positive about this because it's good training for walking and learning about public traffic.
Anyway, my daughter and I are very satisfied with this nursery.

Reply from Christina V at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you very much for your lovely review.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Sally H (Mother of Child) published on 10 April 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my daughters have been to Abacus over the last several years and we have always been delighted with every aspect of the nursery. The environment is lovely and there is plenty of outdoor activity in fine weather. The staff are amazing with children and parents and there is a real sense of the children
being individually nurtured to build their skills, confidence and esteem. I visited and used various nurseries locally before this one and there is really no comparison to Abacus.

Reply from Christina Vines, Marketing Manager at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thankyou very much for your lovely review.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Anne-Sophie S (Mother of Child) published on 15 February 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Abacus Ark is an excellent nursery. My daughter started when she just turned 1. All the staff made us feel welcome and really good. Her key teachers took time to reassure me because I was worried. My daughter never cried and knew that her teachers would take care of her with smiles and cuddles. She
learned and grew a lot with Abacus Ark. She goes to the library, to the park, she has music and dancing classes and now she is a pro at football. I truly recommend this place.

Reply from Christina Vines, Marketing Manager at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you so much for your lovely review.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Claudia U (Mother of Child) published on 2 October 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our children attended Abacus Ark and we would highly recommend it. It is a very nurturing place with a very dedicated and caring team. The children have great memories from their nursery, where they evolved into confident beings and created great friendships.

Reply from Anthony, Director at Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale

Thank you so much for such a kind review. We were so privileged to have your lovely children with us!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.906)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.906) out of 10 for Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 17 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 17 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.906 for Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale is calculated as follows: ( (185 Excellents x 5) + (17 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 203 Ratings = 4.906

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale is based on 17 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 60 number of registered child places is 12, which has been reached with 17 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading events

Awards / Recognitions (2)

Meet the Team (1)

Dan

Dan

Job Title: Finance Administrator

Joined: 2015

Dan is the Finance Manager at Abacus Ark and has been with the company for over 10 years. He plays a vital role in overseeing the nursery group’s financial operations and ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Daniel is also available to support families with any finance-related questions, including funding options, invoicing, and payment queries. His long-standing commitment and in-depth knowledge make him a reliable point of contact for both parents and staff.
... Read more

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Abacus Ark Nursery School Maida Vale has an Enhanced Service - more info.