5 GREAT Nurseries and Preschools in Old Dubai

What makes a great nursery?  The care of our very young children is a topic that always bring about some emotive discussion, and what makes a great nursery is highly personal concept.  Our team have sought out nurseries at a range of price points, each of which having different strengths, teaching styles and facilities – you should find something here for every family and every child!

Note: If you think your nursery does better, and has a great outdoor space you want to tell us about, either leave a comment below, or send an email to [email protected]. We will happily keep updating this article!

Yellow Brick Road Nursery, Garhoud

Situated not far from the airport in Garhoud, our team found a ‘hidden gem’ of a nursery in this low rise purpose built building.  Offering the EYFS curriculum, with a heavy dose of influence from the work of Reggio Emilia, Yellow Brick Road nursery is a large nursery with a gentle and welcoming atmosphere.

Parent feedback was particularly impressive here.  Our review team were able to spend time interviewing a large group of parents, most of whom had had more than one child pass through the care of the team at Yellow Brick Road.  Parents especially loved the incredible food provision (all freshly cooked in house) lamenting only that they could not provide food of a similar quality at home!

British Orchard Nursery, Al Mankhool

Led by a Manager with a degree in Sports Science, it is perhaps unsurprising to find the British Orchard Nursery (BON) in Al Mankhool has placed physical health and fitness at the heart of everything they do.  Manager Rebecca Barker has led the development of an in house gymnastics programme, something that she hoped who take BON students ‘beyond the outcomes’ of the EYFS curriculum offered here.

Equally impressive was the team’s dedication to children with additional needs, with the nursery using the well regarded ‘Ages and Stages’ questionnaire and programme to identify areas where extra help and early intervention might be needed. 

Whilst not the most up to date in term of facilities, we were impressed by the team and atmosphere at BON.  We felt this branch was led by a highly competent and dedicated manager.

Chubby Cheeks Nursery, Al Karama

Serving the densely populated area of Karama, and situated conveniently close to public transport, Chubby Cheeks Nursery, Al Karama is a nursery that consistently focuses on the experience of their families – using regular feedback surveys and even employing a ‘Parent Happiness Manager’ whose role is entirely focussed on quality and the parent voice.

Children here are exposed to a wide variety of learning experiences, in rooms which are brightly coloured and well equipped.  Although this branch does not have outdoor space, the children have access to a large indoor soft play area where they can burn off energy in a safe and fun environment.

Our team felt that this nursery offered great value for money, with fees averaging at 31,500 AED for 45 hours per week care.

The Aga Khan Early Learning Centre, Oud Metha

Housed in a stunning building in Oud Metha, the Aga Khan Early Learning Centre offers children a gentle, play based curriculum in spectacular surroundings. 

We found the Aga Khan team to be professional and passionate about high quality early childhood experiences.  Each classroom has two qualified teachers – one speaking English and one Arabic – meaning lessons are truly bilingual.

Even more impressively, the Aga Khan Early Learning Centre won the 2018 International Nursery of the Year Award from the UK’s National Day Nursery Association.  An accolade indeed coming from a competitive, global competition.

White Dove Nursery, Deira

Offering an unusual blend of the EYFS and the less well known High Scope Curriculum, White Dove Nursery is a beautiful new nursery with the confident air of a long established learning environment.  Staff are experienced and well qualified and are all keen to build ‘something special’ at White Dove.

In a spacious villa, surrounded by gardens and with a calming décor of mostly whites and neutrals, we found White Dove Nursery to be a well-equipped nursery for children from as young as 45 days.  In a great location between Deira and Mamzar, White Dove Nursery is easily accessible from the Al Rigga Road and the E11 Sheikh Zayed Road.

MORE: Full reviews
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