Hopscotch Nursery Dubai is a relatively new private nursery (established in September 2011) for children aged between the ages of 18 months to 4 or more years of age located in Al Manara, Dubai and it is now known as Oakfield Early Learning Centre.

Oakfield Early Learning Centre currently has more than 8 staff catering to children from a variety of backgrounds.

The nursery follows the Early Year Foundational Stage (EYFS) framework with classes being taught in both Arabic and English. One of the aims of Hopscotch Nursery is to give children the chance to explore the natural environment and to increase their confidence in their physical abilities. The nursery teaches children to respect and value each others uniqueness as while also encouraging each child to reach their full potential.

The nursery offers a number of brightly colored, engaging classrooms with activities such as art, music and gardening. Additionally the nursery offers a wide variety of sports including, hopscotch, mini tennis, mini soccer, mini golf, mini table tennis, mini basketball, swimming and dance.

Fees for the nursery range between 22,500 AED to 30,000 AED per year, depending on the amount of days per week the child is enrolled for.

 

What's it like to Just Walk In - The WSA JWI Test
Tucked away on a quiet street between Al Wasl and Sheikh Zayed roads, Hopscotch Nursery is in an excellent, quiet location.  The nursery follows the EYFS curriculum, in a clean, neat and well-organized environment. At the time of the visit there were 60 children registered, of 22 different nationalities. Staff are also a very multinational group, with appropriate qualifications and experience.

The nursery is open from 8am to 6.30pm, with approximately 70% of the children leaving at 2pm. There is an early drop-off option from 7am for working parents.

The nursery operates a bus service, and meals – breakfast and a hot lunch – are provided, which are included in the fees.

As you step in, the entrance hall is large and colourful, decorated with displays of children’s photographs. Soft background music was playing at the time of the visit.

The classrooms in the nursery are spacious - in fact both large and attractive. There is a lot of equipment visible. Along the classroom walls at the time of the visit there were several interactive displays, such as one of a world map where counties of origin or holiday visits were clearly being entered with colourful, individually labelled markers.

There is a pleasant library on the mezzanine floor in which, at the time of the visit, a bunch of youngsters were watching television sprawled on beanbags with their carers. The stairs leading to the mezzanine and first floors have rigid plastic covering over the banisters – a pleasing safety-conscious touch very rarely seen in Dubai.

There is a designated language room for the purpose of the weekly French and Arabic lessons. The languages, as well as music and gym, are incorporated into the school day and delivered by outside providers. Costs are covered by the school fees.

In a long and spacious outdoor building to the right of the entrance, there is a playroom, equipped with lots of toys. Next to it there is a fully equipped miniature gym in which each nursery group has a time-tabled 30 minute session each week. There is also a well-stocked storage room, so such items do not need to take up space within the classrooms.

There is plenty of attractive space outdoors, including a pool which was empty and protected at the time of the visit.

The nursery plans several annual concerts and trips, for the entertainment and education of the children. Trips are to places such as the fire station and Dubai Aquarium. In addition, the nursery hosts people to talk to the children about health, dental hygiene or other topics of interest. Posh Paws have visited during the past academic year, giving the children a chance to get to know and play with a range of pets. The nursery fosters a strong sense of community and is actively engaged in collecting for victims of natural disasters or war.

Located as it is in the heart of Umm Suqeim, this nursery has a great deal to offer any young child about to embark on nursery education.

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

 

The Buzz
Limited feedback suggest both students and parents are happy with the school, staff and environment.

 

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