The setting opened on 9 September on the top floor of the £50 million JW3 building. It brings the chain’s total number of nurseries to nine.
On the day of the official opening of JW3 the nursery invited children to take part in a variety of activities on the theme of ‘In the Beginning’, including designing and building their own nurseries using recycled materials.
Nursery manager Anne Sheldon said, ‘Over 3,000 people came through the doors of the centre, and in terms of visitors to the nursery itself I stopped counting at 500 families! There was such a buzz, such enthusiasm and such a positive vibe about the nursery and the whole culture of the centre. I’m still on a high from the whole day!’
The nursery is open to all denominations, but follows a Jewish ethos and curriculum.
Facilities include IT, art, a science room and dance studios (pictured above and right), a sensory room and an organic café with a full-time kosher chef. Children also have access to a full theatre for performances and a roof garden for outdoor play.
The nursery currently employs seven members of staff but plans to hire an 18 more in the near future.
Company director Amanda Johnson said, ‘We’re absolutely thrilled to be opening a nursery at the stunning new Jewish community centre which will reflect the values and traditions of the Jewish community. It is a fabulous new project to be involved with and we are very excited about bringing yet more innovation to the Active Learning nursery concept through the opportunities this amazing building will present.’
Active Learning already has nurseries in West Hampstead, North Finchley, Crouch End and Southgate, and plans to expand further in this area.
Ms Johnson added, ‘We have a development programme over the next five years to open up to 12 sites, but to preserve quality and the personal nature of our nurseries, no more.’
Active Learning's directors are the founders of Teddies Nurseries, Amanda Johnson and Nick Botterill, and Teddies' property consultant Edward Cahn.
Two of the chain’s nurseries have been rated outstanding by Ofsted. The rest have received a good rating.