Gan on the Hill

Jewish values and traditions shape Gan on the Hill's identity, but its mainstream early-years offer welcomes children of all faiths. Based at Muswell Hill Synagogue on Tetherdown, it takes children from nine months and has 20 places in total. The three named groups, Buttercups, Daisies and Sunflowers, give families a clear progression from baby care to preschool preparation.

No Ofsted inspection has been published for this setting yet.

Rooms and Ages

Buttercups starts from nine months. Its emphasis is sensory exploration, social and emotional development, physical strength, books, music and art, while babies' home routines continue at nursery. Daisies follows toddlers' interests and includes a rest after lunch. Sunflowers is for three- to four-year-olds, using practical play to build independence, self-regulation, cooperation, numeracy and literacy.

Learning and Named Experiences

The Early Years Foundation Stage supplies the seven areas of learning, meaning children's play and planned experiences cover communication, physical development, relationships, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts. Gan on the Hill combines in-the-moment planning with optional structured opportunities and gives communication and language a strong place throughout the day.

Children also visit local woods and shop for cooking ingredients. A weekly outdoor Stay and Play uses the large, partially covered playground and includes an area for babies, giving families a recurring route into the setting's wider community.

Parents receive weekly newsletters, updates through the online learning journal and feedback at collection. The preschool group also works towards Reception through relationships with schools and a report sent to the child's next school. This supports continuity, but does not secure admission; families still apply through the relevant admissions process.

Sessions and Attendance

The nursery opens from 8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and from 8am to 2pm on Friday. Families can choose flexible attendance of three to ten hours a day across two to five days a week. Both a 49-week pattern and a 38-week term-time option are offered. The longer pattern closes for one week at the end of August, one week over Christmas, Passover and Jewish holidays.

Funding and Paid Extras

Government-funded childcare is accepted. Families choose their days and hours and receive a provider-specific quotation through the nursery; the fees and funding page explains the enquiry route.

• Flexible attendance. The choice spans three to ten hours a day, but Friday closes at 2pm. Families needing a consistent late finish across five weekdays should test the weekly pattern against their working hours.
• Jewish calendar. The 49-week option includes closures for Passover and Jewish holidays as well as the summer and Christmas weeks. Parents should compare the annual closure calendar with their own leave arrangements.

Gan on the Hill best suits families drawn to a Jewish ethos within an all-faith setting, named age groups and child-led learning with concrete community experiences. Its flexible-hours model serves both shorter-day and longer-day needs, while the term-time and 49-week choices make it relevant to families with different annual patterns. The published curriculum is specific and practical; the lack of a published inspection means parents must weigh that offer through their own visit and conversations.