Priyanka and Gourav Batra

The Business Owners

In 2015, The Ark Mytholmroyd embarked on a new chapter with the arrival of Priyanka and Gourav Batra, who brought a clear vision and a deep commitment to providing outstanding early years education and care. Their goal was to redefine the standards of high-quality childcare, ensuring that every child receives the best possible start in life.

Under their leadership, The Ark has grown into an award-winning nursery, recognised for excellence in early years care. Today, the Ark Experience has expanded to include three additional nurseries – The Ark Littleborough, Les Enfants Darwen, and Little Lambs Bolton – each delivering the same high standards of care, learning, and development. Priyanka and Gourav are passionate about fostering a nurturing environment where children thrive, staff feel valued and motivated, and parents have complete confidence in the care their child receives.

“The expansion and commitment to children’s development is a shared goal for us and our team, and we are incredibly proud to have been able to achieve it. It has been a privilege to contribute to the growth of so many children and to support their families along the way.” – Priyanka Batra

At The Ark Experience, our unwavering dedication ensures that every child is given the opportunity to grow, learn, and flourish in a safe and inspiring setting. This is where their magical adventure begins.

Donna Hubbard

Area Operations Manager

Donna has worked for The Ark Experience for over 14 years, starting initially as the Childcare Manager at The Ark Mytholmroyd, she now works across all four nurseries, as Area Operations Manager. Donna works closely with the Managers to provide leadership, direction and support to ensure that all childcare provision is operating in line with legal requirements and meeting standards.

Joanne Crowther

Area Learning and Development Manager

Joanne started with the Ark Experience in 2017 when The Ark Littleborough opened. Progressing from Pre-school Area Lead to Nursery Manager, Joanne’s role now focuses on enhancing the skills and knowledge of nursery teams to ensure the highest standards of childcare and early education. Additionally, she ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and helps create enriching environments that support both staff growth and children’s development.