Dar Ul Madinah Rotherham

Daily Quran memorisation and Friday activities give Dar Ul Madinah Rotherham a clear Islamic character. Faith is part of the nursery day, alongside language, play and practical learning, rather than an occasional addition. For parents seeking early education shaped by Islamic teaching, that is the central reason to consider it.

At its 28 November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall, highlighting its support for communication and language while identifying improvements needed in mixed-age group activities and the timing of developmental checks. Those details matter more than the grade alone. They describe both the nursery's strengths at that visit and the questions families should bring to a visit now.

The nursery has capacity for 30 children, with a current age range of 24 to 60 months. Its home is Faizan E Madinah, The Ladder, on Maltkiln Street in Rotherham. Morning, afternoon and full-day attendance provide different ways to use its term-time provision.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: language, physical development, relationships and learning through play belong together in the nursery day. Islamic teaching adds a particular religious emphasis to that foundation.

Daily Hifdh Sessions involve memorising Juzz Ammah and other chapters of the Quran. Islamic Studies includes daily lessons and learning Allah's names, while Tarbiyah emphasises religious upbringing, reverence and following Islamic teachings. These are substantive parts of the offer. Families choosing the nursery should be comfortable with faith taking a regular place in their child's learning.

Fun Fridays brings hands-on activities, nasheeds and participation in Jummah Salah every Friday. It gives the weekly timetable a recognisable recurring event, combining practical experiences with religious expression. The emphasis is on participation as well as knowledge.

In November 2022, children sang Arabic songs and older children discussed Arabic letters they had already encountered. English-language activities included letter sounds, conversation and stories, with staff explaining unfamiliar vocabulary. Staff sometimes repeated English explanations in a child's home language, helping children understand what was being discussed while continuing to hear and use English.

That combination gives a concrete picture of language work at the time: songs, stories and discussion served different purposes. Children also learned about beliefs beyond their own, bringing religious learning into a broader understanding of other people.

Outdoor and Community Life

In November 2022, outdoor ball games encouraged children to play together, share and practise taking turns. Indoors, cutting out snowmen, drawing and working play dough gave children different ways to develop hand control. Shape activities introduced mathematical vocabulary and counting through direct examination of their sides.

There was a limitation in the group timetable at that visit. Children of different ages joined the same planned activities, and some younger children lost interest when the content was too advanced or the activity lasted too long. Other activities were better matched to what individual children already knew. For families, the useful distinction is between simply offering an activity and making it accessible to their particular child.

Relationships and Communication

The Famly portal connects home and nursery through an electronic learning record maintained by a child's key person. Updates include development information and ideas for extending learning at home. This gives parents a continuing account of their child's experiences, rather than relying entirely on occasional meetings.

Parents can contribute information about home interests and family life, take part in activities and discuss development at regular meetings. Weekly learning plans can be accessed in the office. These are practical routes for making home knowledge useful to staff: a child's interests can inform learning, and parents can understand the activities being planned.

In November 2022, staff used clear repetition and simple sentences with children who might have speech delays, and discussed concerns with parents so they could seek outside support. Developmental checks were completed and shared, but their timing was not consistently coordinated with the health visitor's review. That created a risk that relevant information would not reach other professionals at the right point.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective, with staff understanding how to respond to concerns, secure recruitment arrangements and appropriate supervision. This is a dated judgement about practice at that visit.

The admission form gathers information about allergies, medical conditions, additional needs, fears and languages used at home. It creates an opportunity for parents to explain matters that affect daily care before their child starts. Regular parent meetings also include discussion of concerns and family wellbeing, giving those conversations a place alongside learning updates.

Sessions and Attendance

Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoon sessions run from 11.45am to 2.45pm. Full-day care is another attendance option. Provision operates during term time and closes for school holidays, so families need an arrangement that fits that calendar.

There are Autumn, Spring and Summer admission intakes, with children typically joining in the term following their second or third birthday. Applications can begin by telephone on 01709 296220 or through the online admission form. Children are placed on a waiting list, and families are contacted when a place becomes available.

Getting There

The address is Faizan E Madinah, The Ladder, Maltkiln Street, Rotherham, S60 2HY. The same Maltkiln Street address is used for nursery enquiries and applications.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded early education is offered through the admissions process. The arrangements include 15 hours for eligible two-year-olds from the term after their second birthday, and 15 hours for three- and four-year-olds from the term after their third birthday. Working parents may qualify for 30 hours for three- and four-year-olds, subject to the eligibility criteria and an eligibility code.

The term-time calendar is an important practical consideration alongside the hours a family seeks. Funding eligibility and the nursery's attendance patterns are separate parts of planning a place.

• Faith in the daily timetable. Daily Hifdh Sessions and Islamic Studies, plus Fun Fridays, make religious teaching a regular part of attendance. Consider whether that balance matches the early education you want for your child.
• Activities for different ages. In November 2022, some younger children struggled with the level and length of shared group activities. On a visit, ask how morning or afternoon activities are now adapted for younger and older children.
• Developmental information sharing. The November 2022 improvement action concerned coordinating the age-two check with the health visitor review. Ask how the nursery now arranges that timing and shares information with families.
• Starting arrangements and costs. Morning, afternoon and full-day options serve different routines. Request a written quotation covering your chosen pattern, meals and non-food consumables, together with the settling arrangements for your child.

Dar Ul Madinah Rotherham suits families seeking an explicitly Islamic nursery with a choice of morning, afternoon or full-day attendance during term time. Daily religious learning and the Famly communication system give the offer a clear identity and a practical connection with home.

The November 2022 judgement provides a positive starting point, with language work a strength and two specific improvement areas to discuss. The strongest match is a family that values the faith content and can use the term-time calendar, while looking closely at how activities and developmental checks work for its child's age.