Welcome to the Kids Academy Abu Dhabi City official Q and A page. Here we ask the questions, and the school answers directly. It is its chance to have its say on specific areas you have told us you want to know about. If you think there are additional questions we should be asking you may contact us here.

What qualities and characteristics would you say define your school?

Kids Academy is a group of British Nurseries offering award-winning full-time care and education for children aged two months to four years. We aim to provide the highest standard of childcare, in a home from home environment. Our partnership with parents allows us to follow an individual routine for each child, ensuring they are settled and happy as they grow and develop. Our dedicated and qualified staff team work to the guidelines of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum to provide a safe, fun and stimulating environment to help children to reach their full potential.

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

There are over 20 different nationalities in total. There is no one dominant nationality.

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

We operate to UK ratios which is one team member to every three children below the age of two years, one team member to every four children between the ages of two and three years and one team member for eight children aged between three and four years.

Does your school have a waiting list?

No it does not

Physical education and sport is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. How does your school ensure children engage in physical activity?

Kids Academy recognises the importance of both indoor and outdoor Physical play activities.

A UK’s premier playground company who specializes in bespoke, natural, unique playgrounds for all ages and abilities designed and installed our fabulous garden area. Whilst indoor we offer an interactive two level soft-play gym and a large music, movement and dance studio.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children who attend our nurseries we enforce a no personal mobile phone usage within our settings for all our team members.

We also ask that mobile phone technology is not used to take photos or film the children within the nursery. If any parent wishes for a photo of their child to be taken within any of our settings we would be more than happy to take this photo on the nursery cameras and forward these via email .

How do you promote healthy eating?

We make sure that meal times are happy and social occasions and ensure children are accompanied at the table at meal times by team members who can support them in learning appropriate table manners and behavioural standards as well as the enjoyment of eating together. For the older children, we encourage them to help out at meal and snack times in the preparations and serving of meals as this all supports and promotes the social and happy elements of eating as well as generating conversations relating to food such as healthy eating, portion control and trying different healthy foods.

Within our nurseries children are offered healthy snacks of fruit and vegetables, alongside food/ snacks, we ensure that refreshments of milk and water are offered daily from cups and beakers to the children frequently. We believe that refreshments too are fundamentally important for young children to remain hydrated, especially as younger children are very physically active and need to replace the fluid they lose throughout the day. Refreshments and physical activities planned daily for the children all accomplish our commitment to supporting children in being healthy, staying healthy and living healthy lifestyles which we achieve within our Nurseries.

Does the school have cafeteria facilities for the students?

No, it does not

What is the starting and finishing time of your school day?

We open at 7.00 a.m and close at 4.00 p.m from Sunday to Thursday.

Is there a school uniform?

No, we do not have a school uniform

Please advise on your discipline policy?

At Kids Academy our aim is to promote and enforce positive behaviour techniques and positive appraisal systems. Techniques such as re direction, manage choices, distraction, compromise and humour are used in an age appropriate manner. Clear and consistent rules are constantly applied to ensure the children feel secure and understand what is expected of them. The use of any form of physical chastisement, verbal humiliation, forced feeding of children, or aggressive handling of a child is totally unacceptable at Kids Academy Nursery Group. Team members will discuss with parents the nursery’s policy of dealing with behaviour and will also report to the parents any incidents during the day when a child has been disciplined.

All team members are fully trained in our behaviour management policy and techniques and the nursery has a detailed staff behaviour management policy which can be viewed by any parent on request. The basis of our policy is that ‘’the welfare of the child is paramount’’ and it draws on the principles of the UK ‘’Children Act 1989’’ and good practice in early years provision. The nursery has a designated Behaviour Management Officer who is allocated to assist further with any concerns and strategies that can be implemented. In the event of any behavioural concerns, the nursery will call a meeting with the parents to keep you fully informed of any strategies that we are implementing to ensure that consistency is maintained at both nursery and home and to fully work in partnership alongside you.

How do you feedback progress and attainment to students and parents?

Through regular verbal feedbacks, informal parents evenings and progress reports.

How often is the more formal feedback such as reports and parent/teacher meetings?

We hold parents evenings twice a year where parents can view their child's developmental records and key worker files. We send home yearly progress reports.

Is Arabic taught as both a first language and second language in your school?

We are a British and English-speaking nursery and we do offer daily Arabic lessons for your reception class.

Which other languages are taught?

Makaton sign language

Do you offer EAL or TEFL support for those students where English is not their first language?

No we do not

Is Islamic Education/Studies for the Arab Muslim students delivered in Arabic for them?

No it is not

Do you have a dedicated prayer room/s for the Muslim students?

No we do not

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

At Kids Academy we understand that children develop in their own unique way, on their own unique journey and at their own unique pace, no two children are the same. Children learn best when they are safe, secure and healthy as when their personal needs are met and they are surrounded by adults who care for them and who they trust they acquire the self-confidence to try and eventually attain new skills.

We operate a precise and thorough planning system that enables us to plan individual learning journey for each child based upon their likes, interests and interactions. By adopting this approach we take individual interests to extend their development and skills through the EYFS 7 areas of learning.

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

Yes we do

Not all schools are staffed or resourced to offer learning support to those children with either moderate or significant learning needs. To what level can you offer support for those with learning differences?

Kids Academy is committed to the integration of children with special needs. Our philosophy is that children with a special need have a right to be educated and to develop to their full potential alongside other children. We have a designated special needs co-ordinator and we ensure that all children are treated as equals and are encouraged to take part in every aspect of the nursery activities. We will assess each child's needs in terms of access and adapt our facilities where possible.

Does your school have particular expertise in dealing with a specific learning need such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, aspergers syndrome and so forth?

No it does not

Does your school have an educational psychologist or access to one to assess and support those youngsters with more challenging learning and emotional needs?

No it does not

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

No we do not

Are there opportunities for parents to support the learning, activities and events within the school or on trips other than through the parent group?

Yes there are.As part of our partnership working and supporting the May 2008 EYFS statement '' Early Years Practitioners have a key role to play in working with parents to support their young children'' we offer the following home links:

Parent's contribution forms
Parent’s questionnaires
Monthly Newsletters
Activities at Home
Activity calendars
Rhyme time bags
Travelling Ted
Weekend Bear
Reading books

Is there an opportunity for parental representation on your school Board of Governors?

No there is not

Do you offer specific activities, events or information sessions for those parents new to the school and/or area?

We have a parent welcome pack and send home monthly newsletters and bi monthly Activities at Home information sheet.