Gan Menachem Hendon

Gan Menachem Hendon is a 72-place nursery at 5 Sunningfields Road, London NW4 4QR. Its latest full inspection, in July 2022, judged it Good across education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

The strongest thread in that report was children's confidence. In July 2022, children chose activities, managed aspects of their personal care and showed a clear sense of belonging. Staff combined warm relationships with high expectations, giving children room to become more independent.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) frames children's learning across areas such as communication, physical development and personal, social and emotional development; in daily life, that means play and adult interaction build connected skills rather than separating the day into school-style lessons. In July 2022, learning here was practical and language-rich. Toddlers altered wet sand with water, then squeezed, splashed and poured it. Younger children shaped play dough into pretend ice creams, using small-muscle control while identifying colours and building imaginative, social and communication skills.

Staff introduced vocabulary and discussion during play. This helped children, including those learning English as an additional language, grow into confident communicators. The inspection also found interesting activities and good teaching, while asking leaders to strengthen problem-solving and critical thinking and to broaden children's understanding of people and communities beyond their own experience.

Warm welcomes and close relationships helped children feel secure in July 2022. Staff used information from parents and their own observations to track progress and support children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those receiving funding.

Emotional development had a practical place in the routine. Quiet periods let children rest, reflect on feelings and practise deep breathing. Safeguarding arrangements were effective at the inspection: staff understood how to recognise vulnerability and report concerns, while leaders followed careful recruitment procedures and managed environmental hazards.

The nursery is based at 5 Sunningfields Road in Hendon, London NW4 4QR, and has capacity for 72 children. Families should request a current written quotation directly from the nursery.

• Thinking skills. The July 2022 inspection asked leaders to develop how staff support problem-solving and critical thinking. Families can explore how that priority now shapes activities for different ages.
• Wider communities. Inspectors also wanted more opportunities for children to learn about people and communities outside their own experience. Ask for recent examples when discussing the programme.
• Daily arrangements. Families will need the nursery's current attendance patterns, hours and practical inclusions before comparing the offer with other settings.

Gan Menachem Hendon's July 2022 inspection depicts a warm setting where children felt secure, communicated confidently and learned through purposeful play. The sand investigation, pretend ice-cream shop and calming routine give that judgement substance. The two improvement points matter, especially for families weighing intellectual challenge and breadth of experience, so current examples deserve attention. It suits families seeking a Hendon nursery with a positive inspected record and an emphasis on relationships, independence and communication, once the current attendance pattern fits their needs.