The private Gan Kinneret nursery based at Edgware Synagogue is extending its opening hours and taking in babies as young as 12 months to meet the needs of the growing band of local mums in full-time employment.

Until now, the nursery has been open on weekday mornings, taking in 40 children between the ages of two and five, half of whom stay on for lunch and an extra hour of play. But from September, it will open from 8am until 5pm and accept children from the age of one.

Gan Kinneret head Dina Samson said the aim was to provide local mums with an attractive alternative to childminders.

"But it was our new rabbi [David Lister] who gave me the idea." The initial response to the plan had been very encouraging, she added.

Meanwhile, Rabbi Lister brought his violin to the nursery's end-of-term party to accompany the children in their version of Fiddler on the Roof.