Jumeirah International Nurseries (JINS) Ibn Battuta Review
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The story so far...
Jumeirah International Nurseries (JINS) Ibn Battuta is one of the newest branches of the JINS nursery group, which is owned and managed by Fortes Education, owners of Regent International School and Sunmarke School.
The nursery group has expanded significantly in 2021-22, more than doubling its branches, all nine of which are currently in Dubai. JINS has been operating in the UAE since 1981 and is one of the most established and trusted nurseries in Dubai.
What about the curriculum?
JINS Ibn Battuta welcomes children aged 45-days to 5 years (FS2/KG1). It uses England’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, a popular choice in UAE nurseries.
EYFS focuses on the development of seven core areas: communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design.
The nursery has also taken influences from the Reggio Emilia approach, incorporating natural materials and using ‘real’ objects to support the developing independence of the children, as well the Curiosity Approach.
What about the facilities?
While its location, within Ibn Battuta mall, may be initially off-putting for some, the team at JINS have, as usual, made excellent use of the space available, and created a remarkably beautiful early childhood learning environment here.
The nursery follows the group's newly developed 'learning pod' concept, in which the setting is made up of seven themes learning spaces, which have been named to closely resemble the seven areas of learning in the EYFS framework: the ‘Wellbeing Pod’, ‘Adventure Pod’, ‘Communication Pod’, ‘Wisdom Pod’, ‘Number Pod’, ‘Innovation Pod’ and ‘Creative Pod’. Rather than having a classroom ‘base’ for each group of children, each class of children moves from pod to pod with the same teacher and assistants, with 50 minute sessions in each environment, throughout the morning. Each class also has its own 'home pod' in which they start each day, to support children settling in and feeling secure.
In addition to the nursery’s seven learning pods, and a dedicated ‘baby pod’, the nursery also houses indoor play spaces for children to enjoy.
What about the staff and ratios?
The team at JINS Ibn Battuta were selected through the group's rigorous recruitment process, and are clearly a capable team of early childhood educators and carers. Teachers for the lower year groups hold a minimum of a Cache Level 3 qualification, while those leading FS2 (KG1) classes have degree level qualifications in early childhood education.
Class sizes go up to 16 children for children aged under two years, and up to 20 children for those above this age. These class sizes are considered typical in Dubai nurseries. Staff to student ratios are detailed in the table below:
| Class name | Age range | Adult to child ratio |
| Little Learners | 45 days – 12 months | 1:3 |
| Curious Beginners | 12 months – 17 months | 1:3 |
| Inquisitive Adventurers | 18 months – 2 years | 1:5 |
| Confident Explorers | 2-3 years | 1:6 |
| Active Discoverers | 3-4 years | 1:8 |
The nursery offers flexible programmes and wraparound care from 7 am to 6 pm from Monday to Friday. These include 3, 4 or 5 day options for mornings, afternoons and full days.
What about the fees?
Fees vary dependent on the number of days (three, four or five) and the hours that the child attends. The lowest termly fee level is for three days between 8am and 1pm which is AED 11,290. A full day (from 8am to 6pm) is AED 14,790. For an additional AED 700, the child may start an hour earlier, at 7am.
For families needing full-time care from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, the fee is AED 17, 290, with an early start option at 7am available for a further AED 700. Fees for children doing a half day (from 8am to 1pm) will be charged to parents at AED 12,290.
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