Derby’s newest nursery is more than a beautiful space—it is a community built on love, virtues and the belief that every child carries a natural spark of goodness. At Akaal Primary School’s new nursery, children aged two to four will be welcomed into an environment where spiritual and emotional growth are nurtured alongside early learning.

Here, the day begins in a calm atmosphere of care and respect. A dedicated team of warm, experienced staff create the secure, loving relationships that help young children feel truly known and cherished. They guide children to discover and practise virtues such as kindness, courage and responsibility, creating a culture where dignity and joy are lived, not merely spoken. Inspired by the Nishkam vision of educating both head and heart, the nursery is designed to help every child feel safe, valued and ready to flourish—supported every step of the way by adults who model the very qualities they seek to nurture.

Spaces that support the vision

To serve this philosophy, the school has transformed unused classrooms into light-filled, child-centred rooms and created a thoughtfully designed outdoor area with a large canopy for year-round exploration. The seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces invites children to move freely and safely as they play, imagine and grow.

“This nursery has been a long-standing ambition of ours, and it’s incredibly exciting to see it come to life,” said Zoe Parkes, Headteacher of Akaal Primary School. “The environment we’ve created is not only beautiful and engaging, but it’s also designed to give children the very best start to their educational journey. Our staff are passionate about nurturing each child in a loving environment so that they can thrive emotionally, spiritually and academically.”

A milestone for families and the community

Approved by the Department for Education in April and completed at remarkable speed, the nursery opened its doors on Friday 5 September with a special stay-and-play session for parents, children, governors and members of the Local Advisory Board. It stands as a milestone in Akaal Primary School’s commitment—within the Nishkam Schools Trust—to offer outstanding, virtues-led early years education in the heart of Derby.

For more information or to enquire about nursery places, please contact the school office at enquiries.aps@nishkamschools.org or call the school directly.