Al-Islamia Pre-School

Daily prayer, songs in English and snack-time counting gave Al-Islamia Pre-School a recognisable blend of Islamic traditions and practical learning in September 2022. At its 9 September 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and judged safeguarding effective. Those findings describe that visit, rather than today's daily routines.

The pre-school has 40 places in total, at Islamic School, 5-7 Evington Street, Leicester LE2 0SA. Children attending in September 2022 were aged two to four; that is the inspection-era age range.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. In parent language, it connects learning through play with the everyday support children need to develop.

In September 2022, practical activities brought counting into play: children rolled toy cars through pipes, then caught and counted them with staff. Snack choices became another opportunity to use numbers. Children placed coloured sticks in jars to vote for fruit, and staff helped count the portions needed. Preparing fruit and serving friends also gave children responsibility within a familiar routine.

Outside, the mud kitchen linked pretend baking with conversations about cooking at home. The garden also offered climbing equipment, ball play and balancing. These experiences gave children different ways to move, explore materials and play together.

Daily group routines in September 2022 combined Arabic prayer with English songs. The weakness was less structured play: adults sometimes redirected children's ideas too quickly, while general activities needed clearer learning aims and better staff support to extend children's existing knowledge and skills. More time to pursue an idea was an important next step.

At the September 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that children formed close relationships with staff, received reassurance when settling was difficult, and benefited from prompt additional support when needs were recognised. This was care built around knowing individual children.

In September 2022, staff used conversations about children's interests and home traditions to shape activities. They helped children take turns during sand play and use outdoor equipment safely, making social expectations part of everyday play.

Family involvement extended beyond weekday attendance: in September 2022, the pre-school regularly opened at weekends for families to spend time together. Staff also helped parents understand communications when English was an additional language. Staff exchanged information with other local provision and the on-site school to help prepare children for their next stage.

In September 2022, opening hours were 8.30am to 2.45pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. That timetable matters for families planning care around a working day, but it describes the arrangements at that date.

Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four in September 2022. The pre-school was based within school premises at that time; attending a school's nursery does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Child-led learning. In September 2022, adults sometimes moved play on before children had developed their own ideas, and learning intentions for general activities needed clarification. Ask how staff now balance guided activities with time for children to pursue their own thinking.
• The term-time timetable. The September 2022 day ended at 2.45pm and operated during term time. What are the current attendance arrangements and funded-hours terms for your child's age?

Al-Islamia Pre-School suits families seeking Islamic traditions alongside practical early learning, whose care needs could fit its September 2022 term-time daytime timetable. Its September 2022 strengths were warm relationships, family involvement and learning woven into ordinary tasks. The decision also turns on how child-led play and curriculum planning have developed since that visit.