Latest news with #BritishOrchardNursery
Khaleej Times
19-03-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Strengthening Community and Cultural Roots with Expansion
British Orchard Nursery (BON), the UAE's leading early childhood education provider, has opened its fifth branch in Abu Dhabi, located in Al Shamkha. With this expansion, BON now operates 36 branches across the UAE and the UK, continuing its mission of providing high-quality early years education while nurturing local identity and values. The opening aligns with the UAE's 'Year of the Community' initiative, reinforcing BON's commitment to strengthening family bonds, celebrating cultural heritage, and fostering inclusive learning environments. Inaugurating the new British Orchard Nursery branch in Abu Dhabi, the chief guest, Muna Ibrahim Al Mulla, Head of Employee Welfare Unit at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), expressed her appreciation for the preschool's growth and commitment to early childhood education. "I congratulate the British Orchard Nursery team on the opening of another wonderful facility. They have been expanding as a preschool, and I am delighted to see their continued progress in providing high-quality learning experiences for young children. I wish them continued success and look forward to welcoming them to the ADJD premises." "Our curriculum naturally incorporates Arabic language learning through interactive and engaging methods," explained Dr. Gandhi. "We recognise that children come from diverse linguistic backgrounds, so we tailor our approach - introducing Arabic and other languages such as French, Mandarin etc through play-based activities, storytelling, and music for younger learners, while gradually building structured reading and writing skills in FS1 and FS2." BON has collaborated with many UAE government departments for in-house nurseries like RTA , Dewa, DM, Mubadala to name a few and applauds the vision of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, and KHDA to plan a new concept and have chosen BON to operate their and UAE's first Arabic and Islamic nursery, reinforcing BON's role as a leader in culturally immersive early the classroom, the nursery offers cultural experiences such as heritage site visits and hands-on projects, helping children connect with their traditions in meaningful ways. Since its inception, British Orchard Nursery has remained dedicated to creating a nurturing, high-quality learning environment that fosters holistic development having received numerous awards and ISO certifications. As the UAE's largest and most awarded nursery chain, BON blends the UK's EYFS curriculum with Arabic and Islamic studies, ensuring children receive a well-rounded education that balances tradition with innovation. Dr. Gandhi further emphasized the nursery's commitment to supporting working mothers and the nation's long-term vision: "We believe that learning should be natural, engaging, and developmentally appropriate, and we are excited to continue shaping the future of early years education in the UAE. Our aim has always been to support communities and societies by ensuring that working mothers - especially Emirati women - feel at ease, knowing their children are learning, thriving, and receiving the best care. By empowering women and having a strong presence in various communities, we are enabling the female workforce to flourish and contributing to the development of future leaders. In doing so, we help build the nation and lay the foundation for long-term success." British Orchard Nursery's ongoing mission is to create successful communities. Their teacher training centers, nanny training and parenting seminars and engagement programs are a testament to this vision. The nursery is continuously exploring partnerships with both public and private sectors to bring its services closer to working parents across the UAE.
Gulf Today
17-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Education Department to open 15 new nurseries across Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has licensed 15 new private nurseries 1,250 additional seats across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. The new nurseries included British Orchard Nursery in Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, with an average fee of Dhs17,750; Apple Field Nursery, Al Manhal, Abu Dhabi, with average fees amounting to Dhs24,000; British Home Nursery, Al Bahyah, Abu Dhabi, with average fees totaling Dhs24,000; Little Hand Nursery, Al Aamerah, Al Ain, with average fees of Dhs24,000 and Learning Tree Nursery, Madinat Al Riyad, Abu Dhabi, with average fees at Dhs25,000. The other newly licensed nurseries comprised Little Genius Nursery, Zayed City, Al Dhafra, with average fees of Dhs25,900; Little Smarties Nursery, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, with average fees amounting to Dhs26,000; Maple Tree International Nurseries, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, with average fees totaling Dhs26,550; Kids Fantasy Nursery, Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, with average fees of Dhs27,000 and Small Stars Nursery, Madinat Al Riyad, Abu Dhabi, with average fees of Dhs30,000. The five other nurseries included Thinkers Planet Nurseries, Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi, with an average fee totaling Dhs32,000; Tiny Dreams Nursery, Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, with an average fee amounting to Dhs36,000; Jack and Jill Nursery, Al Raha, Abu Dhabi, with average fees being Dhs45,000 and Redwood Nurseries in Al Kasir and Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, with both nurseries' average fees being Dhs51,375. ADEK carefully assessed multiple factors before granting approval to ensure these fees are reasonable and transparent. These include operational costs such as rent, staffing expenses to maintain appropriate child-to-teacher ratios and investments in educational materials and safety measures. Fees are also evaluated based on market trends and the sustainability of services. By taking these factors into account, parents can be assured that nursery fees are structured to support a safe, engaging and developmentally enriching start for their children. A total of 225 private nurseries with 27,791 seats provide nurturing environments that support children's cognitive, social, and emotional development during their formative years - critical for their future academic success and personal growth. WAM
Zawya
17-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
ADEK licenses 15 new private nurseries across emirate
Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has licensed 15 new private nurseries 1,250 additional seats across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. The new nurseries included British Orchard Nursery in Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, with an average fee of AED17,750; Apple Field Nursery, Al Manhal, Abu Dhabi, with average fees amounting to AED24,000; British Home Nursery, Al Bahyah, Abu Dhabi, with average fees totaling AED24,000; Little Hand Nursery, Al Aamerah, Al Ain, with average fees of AED24,000 and Learning Tree Nursery, Madinat Al Riyad, Abu Dhabi, with average fees at AED25,000. The other newly licensed nurseries comprised Little Genius Nursery, Zayed City, Al Dhafra, with average fees of AED 25,900; Little Smarties Nursery, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, with average fees amounting to AED26,000; Maple Tree International Nurseries, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, with average fees totaling AED26,550; Kids Fantasy Nursery, Mohamed bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, with average fees of AED27,000 and Small Stars Nursery, Madinat Al Riyad, Abu Dhabi, with average fees of AED30,000. The five other nurseries included Thinkers Planet Nurseries, Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi, with an average fee totaling AED32,000; Tiny Dreams Nursery, Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, with an average fee amounting to AED36,000; Jack and Jill Nursery, Al Raha, Abu Dhabi, with average fees being AED45,000 and Redwood Nurseries in Al Kasir and Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, with both nurseries' average fees being AED51,375. ADEK carefully assessed multiple factors before granting approval to ensure these fees are reasonable and transparent. These include operational costs such as rent, staffing expenses to maintain appropriate child-to-teacher ratios and investments in educational materials and safety measures. Fees are also evaluated based on market trends and the sustainability of services. By taking these factors into account, parents can be assured that nursery fees are structured to support a safe, engaging and developmentally enriching start for their children. A total of 225 private nurseries with 27,791 seats provide nurturing environments that support children's cognitive, social, and emotional development during their formative years - critical for their future academic success and personal growth.
Khaleej Times
23-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Educators call for 'play-based' teaching to help students up to 6 years learn Arabic language
Teachers in Dubai are advocating for student-centered and play-based cultural experiences to boost early Arabic language learning. This follows the announcement of a new policy by Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) aimed at improving Arabic language education in early childhood settings. The policy requires Arabic language instruction for children from birth to six years old at all private schools and early childhood centers in Dubai. The goal is to promote the use of Arabic in schools and society, fostering pride in Emirati culture, language, and heritage. These changes will take effect in September 2025 for schools that begin their academic year in September and in April 2026 for schools that start in April. Dr Vandana Gandhi, CEO and Founder of British Orchard Nursery, reinforced the vision and said, 'Our curriculum already incorporates Arabic learning through twice-weekly sessions, led by experienced and qualified educators who integrate language with the rich cultural heritage of the UAE. We are proud to have partnered with the Emirates' government, The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai and KHDA to open and operate UAE's first Arabic and Islamic nursery in line with national identity and culture.' She highlighted recognising the diverse linguistic backgrounds of their students, BON differentiates Arabic instruction and Islamic studies for native and non-native speakers. 'For younger learners, Arabic is introduced through play-based activities, songs, and storytelling, fostering early engagement and familiarity with the language.' Gandhi explained in FS1 and FS2, the focus expands to including reading and writing milestones, gradually building foundational literacy skills. Cultural experiences for students 'Our holistic approach extends beyond the classroom, incorporating cultural experiences such as visits to local heritage sites and interactive projects that deepen children's connection to Arabic language and traditions,' she added. As part of innovation, the group has also enhanced its project-based learning approach for the 2024-25 academic year to ensure learning contexts reflect UAE-specific topics and the experiences of young children living here. Others early learning centres (ELC) also welcomed KHDA's phased implementation strategy and aim to further develop the Arabic provision in alignment with the curriculum design standards that KHDA will release. Heba ElKholy, Founder of the Arabic Department at Creative Nest, Deputy Principal, said, 'We focus on building a strong linguistic foundation from an early age, as research shows that children's brains naturally absorb multiple languages when immersed in a rich and engaging environment. This approach nurtures their love for the language, fosters academic readiness, and instills a deep sense of belonging, ensuring that Arabic remains vibrant and relevant in an evolving world.' 'The KHDA will oversee the quality of Arabic learning, continuing the Ministry of Education's (MOE) previous role in setting foundation stage guidelines. Language acquisition in the early years follow universal principles across all curricula. It depends on the amount of time a child is exposed to the language and whether the surrounding environment is rich and enabling. A well-structured approach, where Arabic is naturally integrated into daily interactions, play, and learning experiences, will be key to fostering proficiency and engagement among young learners," said the founder. Ongoing professional development, assessment Experts highlighted ongoing professional development is also key to equipping educators with the skills they need. 'For example, recent phonics workshops saw Arabic and English teachers applying what they learned in their classrooms. The growing availability of Arabic resources shows a commitment to preserving the language, and events promoting Arabic learning at home further support this. Expanding such workshops will help families reinforce Arabic learning, amplifying the impact of the new policy,' added ElKholy. Headteachers stressed, like any other language, Arabic will be measured through ongoing assessments of language acquisition, tracking students' progress in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. This will involve regular observations, formal evaluations, and feedback from educators and parents. Sheela Menon, Principal, Ambassador School Dubai, said, 'The policy states that a standardised end-of-phase assessment targeting sample cohorts will track overall sector improvements in Arabic language development so that appropriate timely interventions and policy changes can inform further decisions. Moreover, schools will develop phase appropriate assessment strategies and track progress to ensure learner-based adaptations as and when required.' Why non-Arabic-speaking expat families prioritise Arabic Meanwhile, non-Arabic speaking expatriate parents believe that being multilingual is beneficial for children, as it will stand them in good stead in the future. Notably, Arabic, spoken by 380 million native and non-native speakers across the Arab world, ranks as the fifth most spoken language globally. Arijit Nandi, father of an eight-year-old, said, 'My son was struggling with Arabic in school as he didn't pick up the language well in his early years. So, we decided to hire a private tutor to help him improve before it's too late. I believe it's essential to learn the language of the country where you're born, raised, or even where you work. It gives you a deeper connection to the culture, a stronger sense of belonging, and a competitive edge for the future. It's more than just a language, it's the key to meaningful relationships, broader career opportunities, and a richer experience of life in this region.' French resident Marie Dubois explained her 13-year-old daughter loves history and has already picked up Arabic to quite an extent. 'I feel Arabic is deeply tied to rich literary, historical, and religious traditions. Understanding Arabic will help her in appreciating Middle Eastern and Islamic culture, poetry, and philosophy. It would also enable her better communication and connection with Arabic-speaking communities that might help her in her career going forward, if she wants to continue living here. Therefore, introducing children to the language at an early age is crucial, as they can absorb it more effectively, much like a sponge,' she said.
