Alphabet Street nursery is in an excellent location in street 8a in the heart of Umm Suqeim, in a quiet residential street, off Al Manara Road and parallel to Al Wasl road. The nursery is housed in a brown building with soft floor and shaded areas all around.

Outside there is a lovely sandpit area, an outdoor wash area, as well as a picnic area where the children can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the cooler months of the year. The Head’s office is to the right of the main entrance, adjacent to the nurse’s room, which appears very functional and clean.

In an outbuilding there is a jungle gym and a room for imaginative play, enabling the children to change venues within the day; vital during the hot months of the year when playing outdoors becomes impossible.

Our consultant was given a very warm welcome, despite the fact that she arrived on the final day of term as furniture was being stacked and cleaning was in progress in all but 2 classrooms. The owner made herself instantly available and was both forthcoming and informative. Her infectious enthusiasm probably goes a long way to make time at this nursery a pleasant experience for children.

At the time of the visit, the nursery had 55 children registered for the following term, from approximately 25 countries. Staff are similarly multi-cultural. The nursery operates 5 groups , with 10 children in the youngest group moving towards 18 in the oldest. You can meet the very friendly team here.

Children from as young as 6 months old can register at the nursery, which takes children up to the age of 4 years. The baby room contains six cots with transparent sides, enabling carers to keep a close eye even on the sleeping babies. The classrooms for the youngest children are on ground floor level to minimize potential for accidents on the stairs. Older children have 3 classroom on the floor above.

The school bases its program on the “Birth to Three Matters” framework, for children under 3 years which "highlights the inter-relationship between growth, learning, development and the environment in which the children are cared for". The framework is based on four “Aspects”: a strong child, a skillful communicator, a competent learner, and a healthy child. 

For the children 3 years and above the EYFS (UK, Early Years Foundation Stage) framework is use and activities are based on its seven main areas of learning and development - physical development, literacy, maths, art and design, personal and social development, and developmental programs.

The school day operates on a tiered basis, from 8am to 5.30pm, with approximately 60% of the children attending from 8am – 2.30pm. The nursery follows the British Early years Curriculum. Arabic and French lessons are part of the teaching week, with groups getting 1 half-hour lesson in both Arabic and French each week. In addition to language lessons, the nursery also offers Aerobics, Music and Baby Yoga - all of which are given by outside providers.

During the warmest months of autumn and summer, each class enjoys a time-tabled 45 minute paddling pool activity every week. There are also several nursery trips each year, such as ones to the Dinosaur show, Dubai Aquarium and anything else that fits in with the topic of the term. There are three concerts for parents during the academic year, for National Day, around the end of the calendar year and one in Spring.

The nursery believes in inclusion and will take children, with shadows if that becomes necessary, if it is felt that they can make a positive and realistic contribution towards that child’s education. The nursery operates an open door policy and encourages pooling of information and strong cooperation between parents and teachers to benefit the child. In addition, parents are kept abreast of any events through email.

At the time of the visit a musical parade and dancing session was in progress, with children playing a variety of toy instruments as they followed one of the teachers walking around the school. It was a very noisy and happy affair, if a little too loud.

The nursery operates a school bus service for the over twos in accordance with UAE laws.

If you are looking for a nursery in the Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah areas, you would do well to check out Alphabet Street Nursery as a possible option.

The WSA JWI Scorecard  
Friendliness/Warmth: A
Able to provide information: A
Availability of Registrar: A
Overall: B-

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