As the new year approaches, many households are overflowing with information regarding potential schools. Selecting a child’s first school is one of the most crucial decisions any parent will make; it has the potential to shape their future for years to come. When considering schools in UAE, there are a few key enablers that can help you find the best option for your child’s early years of education.

Curricula: The first enabler is understanding each school’s curriculum and whether it suits your child’s needs and interests. Schools in UAE offer a range of different curricula, including UK, US, Indian, IB and International Baccalaureate (IB). Each of these curricula has unique strengths and weaknesses, so it’s essential to understand which works best with your child’s learning style and future educational goals.

Teaching methodology: The second enabler is the teaching methodology. Different schools will offer different teaching approaches, so deciding which works best for your child is essential. There is a wide range of methods, including direct instruction, inquiry-based learning, and project-based learning. It’s also important to consider if the school provides additional support, such as after-school activities or extracurricular activities that can help nurture your child’s development in their early years.

School environment: The third enabler is understanding the overall atmosphere of each school and whether it would suit your child. Parents should consider schools that focus on child centric ways of learning. It is crucial for parents to find schools with an enabling environment that encourage every child, inspire and motivate them.

Inculcation of ethics and value:  A child’s early years are formative, and it is essential that they develop an understanding of values and ethics. Parents should therefore look at schools that strongly emphasise teaching life skills, respect for diversity of opinions, empathy towards others and global citizenship concepts.

Focus on holistic education: The curriculum should be designed to nurture the individual needs of each student while also providing them with breadth in their learning journey. It should have an appropriate balance between academics and other co-curricular activities with ample time for self-learning. In the Early Years the i-Activities focus on all round development of the child. They learn to l respect and look after themselves, their peers and other leaving creatures.

Safety & Security: Parents must ensure that the early years’ school they choose has strict safety measures in place so that children can feel secure when attending classes. Parents need to understand how their children’s safety is ensured on a day-to-day basis in a school and also how their emergency contact mechanism works.

Fees and the resultant qualitative ROI: Lastly, it is important for parents to understand the various fee structures prevalent in different early years schools. Knowing the breakdown of fees, quality of teaching staff, type of facilities and related information can help them make an informed decision about which school is likely to have better returns on their investment.

These are just a few critical enablers to consider while selecting an early-year education/school for your child in UAE. It’s essential to do research, compare different options and make sure that you are making an informed decision on behalf of your child. With careful consideration and thoughtful diligence, you can be confident that you’ve made the best choice for their future.

Expat Guide – Key Enablers to Selecting the Right Early Year Education/School for a Child in UAE, by Ms Anjum Ali, Head of Kindergarten, Global Indian International School Dubai.