“Iqra” — اقرأ — was the very first word revealed. It means read.

Who we are

Iqra Preschool was founded in September 2014 to empower local communities through education — offering excellent childcare for local families, because quality early-years education has a significant impact on how children develop. A decade on, we are an established and reputable setting serving East London families across three branches: Whitechapel (E1), Poplar (E14) and Manor Park (E12), for children aged two to four.

Our early milestones set the tone: in September 2016 our first setting was rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted, and our second was rated Good just weeks later. Each branch holds its own registration today — you'll find every branch's current rating and report on its own page.

Our three values are simple and we hold ourselves to them daily: Care — every child known, every family welcomed; Quality — qualified staff, a rich curriculum and honest standards; and Partnership — parents as our closest collaborators in each child's journey.

All our settings are dedicated nurseries — the premises are used for nothing else. Each is divided into designated areas of learning, fully equipped, safe and secure, with a good-sized private outdoor playground, and located in residential areas so session times don't clash with your other children's school runs.

Our approach: EYFS with an Islamic heart

We deliver all seven areas of the EYFS — from communication and language to expressive arts — through play, stories and guided discovery. Alongside it, children absorb their Islamic identity naturally: daily du'as, Qur'anic stories, nasheeds, and the habits of kindness, honesty and gratitude that shape good character.

The result is a child who arrives at school confident, curious and secure in who they are. Read more on our curriculum page.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is the foundation beneath everything else. Every member of staff holds an enhanced DBS check and receives regular safeguarding and paediatric first-aid training. Each branch has a designated safeguarding lead, and our policies follow the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education and the EYFS framework. Our full safeguarding policy is available from any branch on request.