Our approach

We start with the child

We see the early years as much more than getting ready for school. Childhood is a time for discovery, connection and growth, and we want children to enjoy every bit of it.

We want Happy Children Nursery to feel like more than a place where children are looked after. We want it to be a place where children feel known, valued and safe. Where they have time to wonder, explore and ask questions. Where they grow in independence without losing the joy of childhood.

Our approach brings together three things: an Islamic ethos, Montessori-inspired learning and the Early Years Foundation Stage. Together, they help us care for the whole child: spiritually, emotionally, physically and intellectually.

A boy watering the cress he is growing in a basket

A smiling toddler holding up her certificate

A boy laughing with a puppet on his hand

Children on the green sofa at circle time with their teacher

Our faith

An Islamic ethos, woven into everyday life

Circle time begins with Sūrah al-Fātiḥah. Children hear Arabic every day, learn simple duʿās and practise good adab (manners) with each other. Through the year, we mark Ramadan, Eid and Hajj with activities that suit their age, and explore foods mentioned in the Qur'an.

A boy fitting the knobbed cylinders into their block

How we learn

Montessori-inspired

Children learn best by doing. Our rooms help them build independence, concentration and practical life skills. They look after their belongings, prepare snacks, care for animals and help look after their surroundings. We value the process of learning as much as the finished product.

See our rooms

A boy smiling as he tries out a science activity with a mallet

The national framework

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

We follow the EYFS, the national framework for children from birth to five. Our practitioners watch what each child is interested in and use it to plan, while making sure every child is supported across all seven areas of learning.

See a day at nursery

The seven areas of learning

Communication and language
Physical development
Personal, social and emotional development
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the world
Expressive arts and design

Outside, every day

Nature, every day

Nature is a big part of every day. Children grow vegetables, care for our chickens and help look after Pearl, our African snail. Outside, there's a mud kitchen, den building, water play and a sound wall. Children watch, ask questions, try things out and learn to care for living things.

A child's hand reaching into a paddling pool full of rubber ducks and bubbles — Water play on a sunny day

Child-led play

Play is one of the most natural ways for young children to understand themselves and the world. We follow their interests and build on them, so that learning grows out of what already excites them.

Parents as partners

Parents are their child's first teachers. From settling in and the Key Person relationship to daily chats and Eylog updates, we keep an open, two-way relationship with every family.

How settling in works

Part of the community

People who help and serve our community come in to visit the children at nursery, like police officers, firefighters and healthcare workers. Even the Lord Mayor of Liverpool has visited us.

We hope children leave us with kindness, gratitude, compassion and a sense of responsibility for the world they have been entrusted with.

This is what we mean by child-centred. We start with the child, care for the whole child, and create a place where every child can flourish.

Hands drawing Arabic calligraphy with marker pens at a workshop

Why ‘Happy Children’?

Curious about our name?

It comes from a story that is close to our hearts.

Read the story of Banū Saʿd