A new Jewish nursery school is opening in Edgware this month.
In premises next to Edgware Synagogue, Gan Ilanot will provide full-time day care for 15 children from one-year-old up to school age. Six places are already taken.
Former Moriah Day School Jewish studies teacher Jonthan Greenberg is the Gan Ilanot head, whose duties will extend to preparing the hot kosher lunches. Two qualified nursery teachers have also been appointed.
Mr Greenberg, 34, began planning the nursery nearly 18 months ago. He hopes to add a sensory garden in the near future.
"My wife and I are both working and my eldest child did not go to a Jewish nursery. Now my younger son, who is 18 months, will be coming to the nursery so it has to be of a very high standard.
"We believe there is a high demand for a Jewish nursery because there are so many young families in Edgware and Mill Hill." Learning will be based around the festivals and the weekly parashah. Although open to any Jewish child, the nursery will be run along Orthodox lines.