Located in Al Safa 2, the relatively new Cooper nursery (opened in 2011) accepts children up to the age of 5 in three separate programs: "Birth to Three Matters", for babies aged four months to toddlers aged three years, "Foundation Stage Profile", for three to five year olds and a "Special Needs Individual programme" based on individual assessments. Covering its bases Cooper Nursery applies the Reggio Emilia philosophy to the British Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. As such, learning is undertaken through activity, and the pre-school provides a sensory room, art studio and a learning resource centre with interactive software to backup the approach. The nursery also has a gym for PE, music and movement; play areas inside and outside and a covered garden with sand and water activities, physical play equipment and garden play areas with a cycle track. The nursery is flexible with its timings, allowing the parent to choose the number of days their child will spend at the pre-school, and whether they attend "full day" (7:30 am to 3 pm) or the morning (07:30 am to 12:30 pm). There is also the option of a 7:30 to 5pm program for an additional fee. Prices naturally depend on these choices. For sessions 07.30—12.30 2 days a week—AED 5,000. 3 days a week—AED 7,000. 4 days a week—AED 8,500. 5 days a week—AED 10,000. For sessions 07.30 to 15.00 2 days a week—AED 6,000. 3 days a week—AED 9,000. 4 days a week—AED 10,750. 5 days a week—AED 12,250. For the 7:30 to 5:00 pm schedule an additional 1750 AED is charged. Prices are per term, putting Cooper's at the top end of a league of prices for pre-schools. The per annum the fee is 42,000 AED - should your child go 5 days a week, from 7:30 am to 5pm. There is also a registration fee (AED 1,000 per academic year (non-refundable)) and a medical fee (AED 1,000 per academic year (non-refundable)). Note: Cooper's only provides a small snack for its students. Parents need to make sure their children are sent with the food they need.  

The buzz Relatively new, but Cooper Nursery seems to be well liked by the students, parents and more unusually teachers that attend the pre-school. Parents note the space that's provided to the children which is large and well designed, giving them the ability to explore - a requirement of Reggio Emilia.  

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