Welcome to the Maple Bear Nursery 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?

Maple Bear ELC is where children love to learn! We are a trilingual preschool with a unique facility in business bay that features an exclusive outdoor play area as well as indoor play area and gym room.

How many nationalities are represented in your school?

We have over 25 nationalities in our school at the moment.

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

A majority of the students are Canadian or Canadian passport holders.

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

Early toddlers 3:1
Toddlers 3:1
Nursery 4:1
Kindergarten 1 -- 8:1
Kindergarten 2 -- 8:1

Does your school have a waiting list?

At the moment, we have a waiting list for the Nursery class (3-4 years). For any further query please email us at burj@maplebear.ae

Describe your school's approach to education and teaching?

Maple Bear’s preschool curriculum is designed with the child in mind, employing a learning through play approach and taking every opportunity to apply each of the senses towards growth in all areas of development.

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

Gross Motor Skill Development is a crucial part of the Maple Bear Areas of Development. We incorporate physical activity into our daily routine through music and movement. We also have extracurricular activities which include Soccer, Tennis & Karate.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

We promote healthy eating with our students as good nutrition is essential for their development. We have a strict Birthday policy as well where we encourage donating books or bringing fruits rather than cakes. Physical play and gross motor programs are fundamental to daily instruction.

How do you promote healthy eating?

Our Nurse does regular workshops for the parents to discuss the importance of healthy eating. The teachers also make suggestions to all the parents regarding what healthy options that they could send in to school.

Does the school have cafeteria facilities for the students?

no.

If yes, does it serve hot food?

not applicable.

What would be the amount spent by a student for their lunchtime meal?

not applicable as we do not cater food.

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

Maple Bear is open from 8:00 am until 6 pm daily and we offer several different options for student . attendance.

2 days per week, 3 days per week, 4 days per week or 5 days per week (Sunday to Thursday)

1 pm pick up; 3 pm pick up; 5 pm pick up and 6 pm pick up

Is there a school uniform?

Yes it can be purchased from the school directly.

Please advise on your discipline policy?

Children learn to consider and respect others and their environment around them. Clear and consistent age appropriate limits are set, and with these limits, each child will gently learn what it is appropriate behavior. Children are encouraged to solve as many of their own problems as possible under the guidance of a staff member.

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

Daily feedback is given through our parent app and a progress report is shared at the end of every term.

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

We have parent teacher meetings at the end of every term. Formal assessments and reports are also shared on a termly basis.

What is your medium of instruction?

English

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

The children attend daily Arabic lessons as a second language, we also have after school lessons for Arabic speakers during which it is taught as a first language.

Which other languages are taught?

Daily French lessons are provided to each age group using the pioneering language immersion methodology from the Canadian education system.

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

We have many children who join our center and in the beginning they do not speak or understand English at all.

Curriculum delivery is adapted to meet individual needs of each student to ensure that they achieve their full potential.

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

not at the moment - we do not currently provide Islamic Education

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

No, however, the building has dedicated prayer room for Muslim teachers and parents.

Does your school measure Value Added data? Please provide details of your current Value Added average scores

not applicable.

If external examinations and assessments are part of your curriculum, which ones do you offer?

not applicable.

Do you develop independent learning through homework and, if so, what are your recommendations regarding this, particularly time spent on homework?

Yes, Kindergarten 1 and 2 prepare show and tell projects that they do regularly. These help to build effective communication and listening skills that are essential for their learning. It also encourages emotional development in a child, as he or she shares their interests, home lives, and joys and struggles with others in their class.

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

Learning Centers are set up within the classroom to cater to each child’s individual needs.

What percentage of your sixth form that take exams at 18 go to university, and where, in general, do they go?

not applicable to us.

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

Yes, we have a Head of Inclusion who ensures that all the relevant support is being given to any children with additional needs.

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?

We have an Individual needs policy in place supporting our commitment to providing quality education to children with additional needs. Our Head of Inclusion meets with the child for an assessment during the initial stages of admissions to ensure that proper support can be given to the child to optimize learning and development.

Please provide comprehensive details of how well your school did in external exams for students at 16 and at 18 years of age? Please provide sufficient detail to allow parents to have a view on how academic your school is?

not applicable to us

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

We do not have an educational psychologist onsite however we are supported by an outside agency when a child needs to be assessed. We work closely with the agency to develop and implement an IEP/ITP.

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

We do not have an educational psychologist onsite however we are supported by an outside agency when a child needs to be assessed. We work closely with the agency to develop and implement an IEP/ITP.

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

no

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

We encourage parents to be involved with school activities.

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

no, we do not have such a structure.

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

Yes, we have a meet the teacher coffee morning before the year starts, we have many workshops and coffee mornings to engage the parents throughout the year. In light of social distancing measures, we offer webinars to keep parents informed and updated.