24/11/24 – Julie Quigley 1968-2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our deputy manager Julie Quigley. Julie started with the Akhter Early Learning Centre in 2018, quickly became a much loved and respected member of the Akhter Early Learning team. Julie will be greatly missed by everyone at the Akhter Early Learning Centre who had the good fortune to know her as a work colleague and friend. May you rest in peace in the knowledge you will forever be in our thoughts.
“What is lovely never dies,
But passes into other loveliness,
Star-dust, or sea-foam, flower, or winged air”
Thomas Bailey Aldrich
13/11/24 – Food Hygiene Inspection
Following an annual inspection from Harlow Environmental Health, the Akhter Early Learning Centre has retained a food hygiene rating of 5. 5 is top of the scale. This means our hygiene standards are very good and we fully comply with UK legal requirements.
03/10/24 – Ofsted Inspection
The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) visited the Akhter Early Learning Centre on 3rd October to carry out a scheduled inspection. Following the inspection, Ofsted awarded the Akhter Early Learning Centre an Overall Effectiveness rating of Good, scoring Good in all four categories;
The quality of education
Behaviour and attitudes
Personal development
Leadership and management
Achieving a ‘Good’ rating was a tremendous achievement by the Centre’s management team and room practitioners, especially as the ‘bar’ Ofsted sets to determine a ‘Good’ rating is as high as it has ever been. A link to a copy of our latest Ofsted inspection report can be found on our Ofsted page.
31/05/2024 – Interactive Screens
Large interactive screens have been installed in all our toddler and preschool rooms. Children tend to retain knowledge better when they are both active and having fun. Our interactive screens are enjoyable, engaging and an energetic way to reinforce in-class learning. Programmes such as drawing and painting give children the opportunity to use lines, shapes, and colours to create original works of art, teaches numbers, patterns, measurements including reading and phonics and letter recognition, all relating to the EYFS.
Staff are able to include up to date real life experience when working on topics such as planets, under the sea, hygiene with teeth, festivals and celebrations across the world via the family friendly You Tube Kids and find programmes which include matching games, yoga, mindfulness / health and wellbeing sessions which the staff and children love carrying out together.
11/03/2024 – Portable Sensor Floor
The Akhter ELC has taken delivery of a portable sensor floor. Our interactive floor projector encourages all children to use large and small movements, communication and teamwork. It allows children to energise and engage the mind and body with over 300 interactive games. Taking part individually or in small groups,’ the children can use their hands, feet, and other soft play items, such as bean bags and cones to complete challenges and score points. The interactive floor projector can also simply create mesmerising and calming visual effects to support children with special educational needs, encouraging movement and interaction, whilst aiding communication and social skills with a wide range of sensory activities.
08/06/23 – Food Hygiene Inspection
Following an inspection from Harlow Environmental Health, the Akhter Early Learning Centre has retained a food hygiene rating of 5. 5 is top of the scale. This means our hygiene standards are very good and we fully comply with UK legal requirements.
15/03/23 – Government Announces Additional Early Years Childcare Funding for Parents
Please see our Help Paying For Childcare page for further information
24/06/22 – Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal
Through your generosity £1,500 was raised for the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal. The money will be used to help the Red Cross continue to support people caught up in the crisis and help those affected get food, clean water, shelter, medicine and basic medical supplies.
“Situations like this are extremely challenging. But support like this, from you, is a reminder of the kindness and generosity that there is in the world”. The emergency appeal team, British Red Cross
26/04/22 – Woodland Themed Garden
An addition to our outside play areas, a new woodland themed sensory garden with bug hotel and storytelling area.
10/12/21 – Refurbishment of Outside Play Areas
Our Preschool and Toddler outside play areas have been extensively refurbished to now include a climbing wall, adventure tunnel, storytelling den, mud and water play, play bus, barn and shops.
18/08/20 – After School and Holiday Club
From September the Akhter ELC will be running an After School and Holiday Club for children aged 4 (Reception class) to 11 years (year 6). For further information on which schools we can collect from and session pricing, please contact reception on 01279 927020.
01/07/20 – Acquisition of Minibus
The Akhter ELC has purchased a 17 seater minibus. The minibus will be used to take children on local trips and outings. The minibus will also be used to expand our After School club from September by offering parents the option of having their children collected from local schools.
28/05/20 – Coronavirus COVID-19 update
Following government confirmation today, the Akhter ELC will welcome all children back from Monday 1st June. Please click on the link below to read about the preventative measures we have implemented to help limit the risk of coronavirus transmitting within our setting.
Parents Letter Re Open to All Children 28-05-20
20/03/20 – Coronavirus COVID-19 update
Following government announcement today, the Akhter ELC will close to all children with the exception of children of critical workers and vulnerable children from Monday 23rd March until further notice. Please contact us or visit http://www.gov.uk/coronavirus for further information and eligibility criteria.
12/12/19 – Free Meals for Children Who Receive EYPP
The Akhter Educational Foundation has announced that from the Autumn 2019 term, children who qualify for Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) will have the cost of meals taken during funded sessions refunded. EYPP is additional funding for Early Years providers to help them improve the education they provide for disadvantaged 3 and 4 year-olds.
13/11/18 – Ofsted Inspection
The routine inspection took place on Tuesday 13th November and we are pleased to announce that the Akhter Early Learning Centre was once again awarded an overall ‘Good’ rating. Ofsted carry out routine inspections to ensure that a provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage (EYFS). Ofsted have rated the Akhter Early learning Centre in the following four categories;
- Effectiveness of the leadership and management is Good
- Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is Good
- Personal development, behaviour and welfare is Good
- Outcomes for children are Good
A copy of the full Ofsted report can be viewed by clicking on the link below
25/05/18 – New Data Protection Laws Come into Force
We have revised our Privacy Notice and Data Protection Policy to comply with the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) that come into force on 25th May 2018. Please visit our Privacy Notice page for more information.
03/02/18 – AED Fundraising
On Saturday 3rd February 2018 a fundraising event organised by the Akhter Early Learning Centre’s deputy manager Charlotte Miller was held in an attempt to raise around £900 for an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the Centre. Statistics show that if an AED is used alongside effective CPR within 3-5 minutes of a child/adult suffering a cardiac arrest, the chance of their survival increases from 6% to 74%. 270 children die in the UK every year from suffering a sudden cardiac arrest at school.
Thanks to everyone that helped support the event, a staggering £1745.40 was raised. This has enabled the Centre to purchase an AED and to put the remaining funds towards new equipment for the sensory room and garden. The Centre will now go on an NHS list as a place that holds an AED. The AED’s location can be given by the emergency services to callers in our locality who require the use of an AED.
Digital Camera
01/02/2017 – Holiday Club
The Akhter Early Learning Centre has started a holiday club for 5-10 year olds. Please enquire at reception or call 01279 927020 for further information.
01/02/2017 – Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers
The Akhter Early Learning Centre is collecting Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers and would be grateful for any vouchers donated. Vouchers are redeemed for active equipment to help encourage children to have a healthier, active lifestyle. A collection box can be found in reception. Thank you
16/09/16 – New Facebook Page
The Akhter Early Learning Centre has launched a new Facebook page. Please follow to receive up to date information, news and special offers.
06/09/16 – Ofsted Inspection
The routine inspection took place on Tuesday 6th September and I am pleased to announce that the Akhter Early Learning Centre was awarded an overall ‘Good’ rating. Ofsted carry out routine inspections to ensure that the learning, development and welfare of children is meeting the standards laid down in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Ofsted have judged the Akhter Early learning Centre as follows;
- Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good
- Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good
- Personal development, behaviour and welfare is good
- Outcomes for children are good
Being awarded a ‘Good’ rating is a tremendous achievement by all concerned at the AELC especially given Ofsted’s ever-increasing tightening of rules for rating early years providers. Despite this achievement we will not rest on our laurels. Our goal is to be awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating and although difficult to achieve, I am confident that the staff at the AELC have the necessary qualities to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating in the very near future.
Jason Taylor – Director
24/08/16 – Childcare Manager Change
From 24th August Karen Thomas will be taking over the childcare manager’s role from Jacqueline Ward. Jacqueline leaves the Akhter ELC to start a new position at a nursery and preschool in Cambridge. We thank Jacqueline for her hard work and dedication in making the Akhter ELC such a special place for children to learn and develop in and wish her the very best in her new role.
A big welcome to Karen Thomas. Karen brings with her over 20 years experience in childcare and is suitably qualified to take over the childcare manager’s role. Karen is looking forward to developing the centre into the number one choice in Harlow for parents to trust the education, development and care of their children to.
29/04/16 – ‘Hilary’ Bus
The Akhter Early Learning Centre takes delivery of the ‘Hilary’ Bus.
The bus was kindly donated by Mr & Mrs Ward in memory of Mr Ward’s sister Hilary.
12/04/16 – Atrium Available for Private Hire
Planning a children’s party? Why not have your child’s party at the Akhter Early Learning Centre. The centre offers a spacious 18m x 7m indoor atrium area and is available for 2 hour hire slots.
Looking to hire a bouncy castle? No need to worry what the weather will be like on your child’s big day as our atrium benefits from a high ceiling that will easily accommodate an indoor inflatable bouncy castle.
Please speak to a member of staff for availability and pricing
20/02/2016 – The Gateway Nursery and Preschool is renamed the Akhter Early Learning Centre
Harlow Star Article – Harlow’s Gateway Nursery is renamed, rehomed and re-opened.
A new and improved Harlow nursery has been renamed, relocated and officially re-opened for youngsters to enjoy.
The Gateway Nursery has moved to the other side of Perry Road to become the Akhter Early Learning Centre Nursery and Pre-School.
Harlow councillor Joel Charles cut the ribbon last week to officially open the larger centre which will double the child capacity from 130 to 260 children
Jacqui Ward, manager of Akhter, said: “We are delighted with the facilities our new home offers and the children of Harlow are very lucky to have such a wonderful learning environment that has a focus on nature and outdoor learning.
“There are plans to develop the nursery further and increase the services we offer to families are in the early stages.”
The nursery provides care and education for children aged five and under for five days a week, 51 weeks of the year from 7.30am – 6.30pm.
A new feature is a high ceiling atrium area which can be hired out at weekends for children’s parties and can also hold a bouncy castle.
Parents interested can view the facilities and meet staff at an open day, held on Saturday March 12, Saturday April 16 and Saturday May 14. Call 01279 927020 or email info@AkhterELC.co.uk for more information.
04/01/2016 – The Gateway Nursery and Preschool Moves To A New Home
The Gateway Nursery and Preschool has moved across the road to a new purpose fully refurbished and resourced building that provides excellent childcare facilities and security for local children to learn and develop in. The new building offers six children rooms that can in total accommodate up to 124 children at any one time.