Abu Bakr Nursery

Islamic greetings, duas and Quran learning sit alongside stories, sensory play and early number work at Abu Bakr Nursery in Walsall. Faith has a place in the daily timetable, rather than sitting apart from the nursery's learning. For families seeking an Islamic ethos from the start, that is the clearest reason to consider it.

At its November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding, with strong support for children's communication and independence. That judgement is dated: the practical offer today includes term-time attendance, morning and afternoon sessions, and full-day options.

The nursery has 41 places in total, with a current age range of two to five in its provider details; its entry arrangements welcome children aged two to four, starting in the term following their second birthday. Families should use that starting rule when planning attendance.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for learning through play, including speaking and listening, relationships, and early literacy and mathematics. Here, the Islamic ethos adds duas and an emphasis on good character to that everyday learning. Children encounter faith through the routine as well as through dedicated Islamic learning.

The day begins with children choosing their own play. Circle time then brings an Islamic greeting, dua and group learning, followed by guided activities involving creative work, sensory exploration, literacy and numeracy. Snack and outdoor play come before stories and Quran or Islamic learning. This gives the morning a recognisable rhythm, with opportunities both to follow an interest and to join an adult-led activity.

In November 2022, children helped choose songs by selecting toys associated with familiar rhymes. Children used spider, duck or shark toys to show staff which song they wanted next. Staff repeated words carefully and worked on pronunciation, giving language practice a place within activities children wanted to join.

Stories also prompted conversation in November 2022. Children connected a bear-search story with their own families, discussing what families shared and how they differed. Older children talked about experiences outside nursery, while adults used books to encourage further discussion. The useful detail is the connection between listening to a story and having something of one's own to say.

Outdoor and Community Life

Outdoor play features in the daily routine, and families bring wellies and a waterproof coat so children can take part in suitable clothing. A sun hat and sun cream are also part of the warmer-weather kit. Planning for outdoor play is therefore part of preparing for the nursery day.

In November 2022, the nursery operated from a converted house. Staff also helped parents discover local events and places to visit, and social gatherings brought children, families and practitioners together beyond the nursery setting. Those were features of nursery life at that time, rather than a timetable of current outings.

Relationships and Communication

Daily conversations with staff cover what children have been doing and enjoying. Learning journals bring together photographs and observations, while termly parent consultations provide a separate opportunity to discuss development and next steps. These serve different purposes: a quick daily update keeps home connected with the day, and a planned meeting allows a fuller discussion.

Joining follows a contact, visit and enrolment sequence, with a registration form and a welcome process for settling children in. This makes settling part of joining rather than simply the first session booked. Families can use the visit to discuss how that process will work for their child.

In November 2022, staff used their knowledge of children's home experiences to shape support. Practical milestones mattered alongside learning: adults helped children move towards age-appropriate eating, and parents worked with staff on toilet training. Older children practised using the bathroom independently.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and SEND support exceptionally strong, with the special educational needs coordinator setting aside time each week for staff concerns and arranging professional involvement alongside parents. The concrete mechanism matters: concerns had a regular point for discussion and a route towards additional help.

In November 2022, children practised tooth-cleaning with oversized model teeth and brushes, and healthy eating was part of their learning. These made personal care tangible rather than leaving it as an instruction from adults. Children also rehearsed fire evacuation and learned about keeping themselves safe.

Families provide a healthy packed snack and a named water bottle. The nursery asks them to avoid nuts and products containing nuts; families affected by allergies should discuss how that instruction works in practice.

Sessions and Attendance

Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, and afternoon sessions from 12.30pm to 3.30pm; full-day options are also offered. Opening hours are 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time, following the school calendar. Holiday cover therefore needs separate planning.

Children can start in the term after turning two. Enquiries and tour arrangements can be made by telephone on 01922 626829 or by email, followed by the registration process. Morning and afternoon attendance give families genuinely different timetable choices, rather than a single daily opening window.

Getting There

The nursery's address is 150 Wednesbury Road, Walsall, WS1 4JJ in its provider details, while its contact address is 154 Wednesbury Road at the same postcode. Resolve the entrance to use before travelling.

Funding and Paid Extras

The nursery accepts government-funded places for the 15-hour and 30-hour entitlements, and additional private hours can be purchased. Funded childcare and paid extra attendance are separate parts of the booking arrangement; current prices should come in the nursery's written quotation.

Parents supply snacks and drinking water, and bring sun cream in warmer months. Spare clothing should be labelled and include underwear, socks and suitable outerwear, making changes of clothes part of the everyday kit.

• An Islamic daily routine. Dua, Islamic greetings and Quran learning are woven into the timetable. Use a visit to discuss how these activities fit your family's expectations.
• Term-time attendance. Morning, afternoon and full-day options operate within the school calendar. Families needing childcare through holidays will need an additional arrangement.
• The visit address. The provider address is 150 Wednesbury Road, while the nursery's contact address is 154. Confirm which entrance to use when arranging a tour.
• Food and allergies. Children bring a healthy snack, and families are asked to avoid nuts and nut-based products. Discuss allergy management and the lunch arrangements for a full-day booking before choosing a pattern.

Abu Bakr Nursery suits families wanting an Islamic early-years setting with morning or afternoon attendance, as well as those considering its full-day options during term time. The current routine combines child-chosen play with group learning, faith activities and outdoor time; communication includes daily updates, journals and termly meetings.

Its November 2022 Outstanding judgement gives the review a strong dated foundation. The decision today rests on the fit between that Islamic daily life, the term-time calendar and the child's starting point. Families seeking that combination have clear reasons to consider it.