Children: The blueprints for tomorrow

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Children: The blueprints for tomorrow

Below are a few tips and tricks that will help you in selecting the right nursery for your child

By Deepa Narwani

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Published: Sun 28 Feb 2016, 3:00 PM

Last updated: Sun 28 Feb 2016, 5:11 PM

A nursery is a child's first milestone into the social world. Heading to nursery can be a stressful time for both children and their parents and it is very important to make sure that the selected nursery makes the children feel safe and confident.
Therefore, it is essential for parents to opt for the perfect place that will cultivate children's skills and personality as well as develop them for many years to come.
Searching for a nursery can be quite a cumbersome process as there are a number of nurseries in Dubai alone that offer an engaging curriculum for the young ones. Dubai is renowned for offering high standards of education, and with its diverse diaspora, the city caters to all the different communities based here. The city offers a diverse learning environment that aims to provide young ones with a stimulating and safe environment for both their social and intellectual development. Here parents can choose from a number of different options such as government and private pre-schools, including playgroups, nurseries, kindergartens as well as infant schools.
Some of the highly rated nurseries in the city include British Orchard Nursery, Blossoms Children's Nursery, Willow Children's Nursery and Emerald City Nursery among others.
The first step for parents gearing up to send their children to nurseries is to narrow down a list of the top five that meet their requirements and cross check it with what suits them best. After that, parents should visit the premises and spend some time asking questions to teachers as well as parents of other children to get an understanding of how the nursery works.
Plus, this will be their chance to check out if the building offers a safe and inviting environment and where children will feel welcome and comfortable. They can see for themselves if the nursery offers fun activities such as an outdoor play area, an arts and crafts activity room etc., facilities that will encourage children to be independent and creative. Also, talking with the staff will enable them to gauge if they enjoy their work and are able to engage children, as this will go a long way in making sure if they have made the right decision. Also, speaking with the in-house nurse is a must-do and making sure the nursery leaves a clean and hygiene impression overall, goes a long way.
At the end of the day, the most important factor is if the nursery fits parents' criteria and makes them feel that their child is in good hands. 
 The Nursery Checklist
With so many options available for families in Dubai, it is crucial to ask a number of questions when choosing a nursery. Here are a few important factors to keep in mind before making the big decision.
Location: A number of nurseries here offer transportation but you wouldn't want kids to be sitting in the bus for a long period of time and therefore location should play a crucial role in the selection process. But if you prefer to drop off and pick them up yourself, then it is better to choose a location closer to your home. For example, if you live in Dubai Marina then one of the nurseries in Jumeirah 3 would be an ideal choice.
Budget: You will find a wide range of prices for nurseries in Dubai right from the basic package to the really high-end ones. The nursery fees depend on factors such as the area it is located in and facilities offered such as swimming pools etc. Also, some nurseries offer sibling discounts, and checking with them beforehand could be helpful.
Timing: It is important to understand what are the regular timings and if they will have an impact on your personal or work timetable. Some nurseries are known to offer flexible timings as well as an early drop-off or a late pick-up in certain situations to accommodate the parents' timetable. Plus, the young ones should be able to easily adjust to a daily routine, as varying schedules can be confusing for them.
Meals: Another aspect to consider is if the nursery provides meals, in case your child has to stay at the nursery all day. Ask for a sample menu and see if it meets your child's dietary requirements.
Curriculum: There are a number of different curriculums to choose from in the city but one of the popular ones is UK's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. You should opt for a nursery whose curriculum is universally accepted so that in the event of you moving out of the country, they would be able to get admission in schools anywhere in the world. Also, the student to teacher ratio varies among different nurseries is an integral aspect to be considered to make sure your kid receives appropriate attention in class.
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