About Us
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Vision
The early years of a child's life are crucial to their growth and development. During these formative years, a child learns the pattern for future behaviour. It is vital that they are exposed to a healthy and balanced environment from the very beginning; and that they frequent platforms that nurture images and ideas essential to the growth of a personality consistent with their community's goals.
Aflah Nursery is committed to facilitate the growth of children by providing a balanced environment and providing the sources to invigorate the child’s motivation, involvement, and achievement. Aflah Nursery aims to provide a pre-school experience that will nurture individuals who will have a keen sense of one self, a want for intellectual growth, morality and God consciousness. It is intended that this nursery will lay the foundation for the development of a strong Muslim personality that will manifest itself in all walks of life.
At Aflah Nursery we believe that children should be given the best kinds of learning experiences which are on a par with national norms but also provide children with lots of positive exposure to Islam and its teachings. We believe these formative years are crucial in shaping an individual’s intellectual drive and one’s sense of righteousness and morality.
Ethos
We aim to: ‘Provide the children of Aflah Nursery a complete learning experience that encompasses all facets of a child’s life, without compartmentalising faith from one’s pre-school experience.’
Aims of the Nursery
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said, “Leave the child free to play till it is seven years old."
- To provide pupils with a complete programme of education along with balanced growth of personality using our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as their example.
- To prepare pupils for the demands of schooling through the EYFS curriculum, encouraging pupils to explore, enquire, invent, assert self initiative; using precise and meaningful language for learning.
- To inculcate a real love for learning, and, in particular, sound language acquisition.
- To instil piety and encourage self-discipline and foster certain virtues that will be needed in order to be a true Muslim such as understanding, tolerance of other people’s backgrounds and orientations such as religion, culture, ethnicity, disability etc; and wisdom that will help to forge positive relationships in today’s multicultural Britain.
Our Staff
Aflah Nursery, Oxford:
The staffing team in Oxford comprises 9 members of staff, whereby 6 members of staff (according to staff roster) work daily. One member of staff also works as the ‘Islamic Curriculum Co-ordinator.’
All staff has the relevant Child care qualifications and experience.
All staff, including ancillary, have undertaken the mandatory OSCB Child Protection & Safe guarding training and have cleared Enhanced DBS checks. The Deputy Manager has undertaken the Specialist Training for Child Protection whilst the Manager has completed the Designated Lead training in Safeguarding with the OSCB. Aflah Nursery is mindful of ensuring the EYFS guidance regarding Paediatric First Aid trained staff is always met. A complete list of staff qualifications is available.
All staff has been inducted on the Prevent Duty, FGM etc. on a par with our Safeguarding Policy and has undertaken the on-line Channel General Awareness course.
Aflah Nursery, High Wycombe:
The staffing team in High Wycombe comprises 8 members of staff, whereby 5 members of staff (according to staff roster) work daily. One member of staff also works as the ‘Islamic Curriculum Co-ordinator.’
All staff has the relevant Child care qualifications and experience.
All staff, including ancillary, have undertaken the mandatory BSCB Safeguarding Children for All and have cleared Enhanced DBS checks. The Deputy Manager and Manager have both undertaken the Designated Lead training for Safeguarding & child Protection. Aflah Nursery is mindful of ensuring the EYFS guidance regarding Paediatric First Aid trained staff is always met. A complete list of staff qualifications is available.
All staff has been inducted on the Prevent Duty, FGM etc. on a par with our Safeguarding Policy and has undertaken the on-line Channel General Awareness course.
“Play is the work of the child.” – Maria Montessori
Learning Environment
Staff prepares carefully for the learning environment through a weekly continuous provision plan which comprises varied learning and play opportunities at the following areas: Messy Play, Workshop, Mark Making, Computer area, Water Play, Sand Play, Reading Area, Quiet Area, Home Corner and Role Play. The continuous provision plan incorporates the themes from Aflah Nursery's Long Term plan.
Careful consideration has been given to the best possible room and resource layout that work to facilitate meaningful play and learning.
The outdoor area available to the children is a cordoned off area that facilitates free-flow play from the hall to the area in question.
At our Oxford branch the basketball area and nearby park are also routinely used for gross motor play, once a daily risk assessment is carried out and there are no other users at the time of intended use.
At High Wycombe we hire the Castlefield Children’s Centre’s garden on a daily basis, which is conveniently accessed from our free flow space, after a daily risk assessment is carried out. Gross motor play is also available indoors as the centre has a large sports hall.
“Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein
“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” – O. Fred Donaldson
Group Learning
Learning has been enhanced with group learning, scheduled every day of the week for Literacy and Mathematics. Practitioners have grouped the children into four differentiated groups: 'Seeds', 'Sprouts', 'Buds' and 'Saps', enabling challenge and suitable activities and pitch for those who are starting out.
'Key Group' time, at the end of each morning session, affords each key group an opportunity to bond with their 'special teacher' and with one another. This 5-10 min group time is utilized by simply having a chance to talk about oneself, last night at home, things that make us happy/unhappy whilst playing at the 'Malleable' area, sharing a story/song together, making something using fine motor skills etc.
Islamic Learning
Each nursery session begins and ends with Surah Faatihah (opening chapter of the Quran) at carpet time. Children are encouraged to raise hands in supplication and once they have learnt it to recite along.
Each circle time begins with the Arabic greeting of, ‘Assalaamu Alaikum’ with the children replying,’ Wa’alaykum Assalaam’. Each teacher led activity begins with Bismillah, and pupils will be reminded to do the same when leading.
Children are exposed to a variety of Islamic terminology used regularly by staff to express celebration, encouragement and remembrance of Allah throughout the day.
Children are taught through the usual routines of their day prescribed sunan du'aas (prophetic supplications) and the etiquettes for each; regular short ahadith (prophetic teachings); stories and songs that inculcate God consciousness and support and celebrate the Seerah (life of the Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
A detailed document entitled ‘Islamic Considerations & Curriculum’ is available.
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said, “Let them play; the earth is the pasture of the children!"
Celebrating Learning
Staff response and interactions to children's learning plays a vital role in children's self perception, willingness to persevere when faced with challenge and sense of achievement. Staff is mindful to use positive, encouraging language and employ a range of Islamic terminology to celebrate achievement and voice encouragement.
Positive relationships, settling in well, positive conduct towards peers and adults are celebrated at Aflah through the weekly crowning of a King/Queen of Aflah Nursery. This entails a Key Person announcing why a particular child is being crowned to the whole group, the crowning itself, wearing the crown for the remainder of the day and a photo is taken and a 'Wow' sheet is filled out detailing the achievement. This is sent home and also duplicated in the learning journey (Falah File). The King/Queen is given special privileges such as choosing the story/song to be enjoyed at carpet time etc.
All the staff at Aflah Nursery are committed to promoting the 'Building Positive & Respectful Relationships Policy.'