Leading with Passion: Ms. Arwa Naccho's Vision for Bilingual Education

1. What inspired you to become an educator?

Hey there! We’re excited to celebrate Green Grass Nursery’s 10-year journey in early childhood education. We opened our doors back in 2013 with a simple goal: to provide a safe and fun place for children to learn and grow. Our mission is all about creating a loving and supportive environment for children and working closely with parents and caregivers to make it happen.

I started working as a nursery teacher and then a nursery supervisor for six years; from that moment, I became hooked! Ten years on, and I am still fascinated by these little people who, with one smile, can instantly brighten up my day. As a mom like you, I always look forward to embracing and celebrating every child’s milestones and achievements.

2. Tell us about your journey to becoming the CEO of GGN?

After my journey as a teacher, I became a manager for GGN, and then in 2020 I became the Group CEO and started the expansion to another sister company GGN al Manara.

I believe that language acquisition is one of the more remarkable achievements of early childhood. In 2022, I was delighted to introduce the first fully bilingual program from the early years with a great emphasis on the Arabic language.

Children at Green Grass Nursery have countless opportunities to develop their interests, curiosity, and personality in both languages. I aim to provide a learning journey for children when they feel a Home away from Home with our caring staff, who believe in our mission “to celebrate the love of learning and the joy of the journey”.

3. As an educational leader, how do you encourage innovation and adaptability among your teaching staff to prepare students for an ever-changing world?

GN has altered the landscape, with this innovative program allowing students to develop proficiency in both their native language and a second language – English and Arabic. Youngsters become proficient in reading, writing, listening, and speaking two languages, which can provide them with increased opportunities for future academic and career success.

One of the important aspects of this program initiated by Myself is that learning at such a young age means that students not only learn to speak and read a foreign language but also, importantly, get to ‘think’ in that language. Thinking in two languages provides unique cognitive advantages and a broader perspective on the world, allowing bilingual individuals to navigate linguistic and cultural diversity with ease. This cognitive advantage can extend to problem-solving, decision-making, and multitasking abilities.

4. Could you describe the academic programs offered at GGN? how do these programs align with the British curriculum while catering to the needs of students in Dubai?

Numerous studies have explored the benefits of bilingualism, shedding light on the cognitive, linguistic, social, and cultural advantages it offers, and this goes way beyond the classroom. Focusing on early bilingualism, De Houwer (2006) considers the myriad consequences when harmonious bilingual development is not prioritized, including feelings of insufficiency and exclusion, and ambiguous identity formation.

Correspondingly, De Houwer (2015) argues that children’s more or less equal proficiency in two languages and their use of these languages can support the formation of positive relationships and thus harmonious bilingual development.

Cultural diversity

5. What steps does GGN take to nurture the Professional development of its teaching staff and ensure they remain up-to-date with the latest educational trends and best practices?

My aim is to be: a visionary leader who creates a positive and forward-thinking educational environment, promotes collaboration and innovation, and supports the holistic development and success of students and teachers alike.

My driving ambition in tandem with a compassionate, caring nature means that GGN is setting a benchmark in quality standards in teaching, development, and the care of young children, whether that be creating a curriculum that combines the Reggio Emilia approach with the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) or simply making learning the Arabic language fun while, at the same time, absorbing the culture and traditions of the UAE.

6. What makes you come to work each day? Can you think of the last time something happened in your nursery that made you think, “Yes, nursery schools do so matter for children”?

Believing in what I am doing!

The first five years are crucial for children’s development. Last year, we had a child join our nursery who struggled with social interaction and communication skills. Over the course of their time at our nursery, we observed a remarkable transformation. Through our nurturing environment, dedicated teachers, and structured programs, this child blossomed both academically and socially. They not only developed essential language and interpersonal skills but also gained self-confidence.

It reaffirmed our mission to provide a safe, stimulating, and supportive environment for every child, ensuring that they build a strong foundation for their future education and personal growth.

This experience reinforced the belief that nursery schools play a pivotal role in fostering children’s holistic development and preparing them for a successful journey through life.”

If you could give one piece of advice to someone like you, passionate about creating a magical and impactful early years education for children and thinking of opening an independent nursery as a vocation, what would you say to them?

7. As a leader, what challenges have you encountered while overseeing a nursery in Dubai, and how have you addressed them?

It can be stressful and rewarding beyond measure!

By far, my most significant lesson has been how lonely it can be without the right contacts and teams.
To run a successful nursery, you need a competent and cohesive team. There should be synergy among the staff members in each room since they work closely together.

As a business owner, my duty of care extends to my staff, just as their duty of care is towards the clients. I have to ensure that my staff are well taken care of, not only to maintain their professional performance but also from a humane perspective. Achieving this requires training, getting to know your staff and numerous conversations. However, to do all this, I must ensure the business remains financially viable.

What I’ve learned from running a childcare business for 10 years is how many unexpected challenges can arise, and it’s essential to accept these challenges and overcome them. As a nursery principal, the work-life balance can be virtually non-existent. But the sense of satisfaction from building something from the ground up is unparalleled. The greatest achievement, in this case, is when a child eventually leaves our care to attend school. The feeling of accomplishment, knowing I contributed to that child’s development, is immeasurable.

The most significant achievement is establishing a fully bilingual nursery and embracing the challenges that come with it. What I aspire to achieve is to run a fully bilingual school in the future.

By setting these ambitious yet attainable goals, I can continue to build on our nursery’s success and make a lasting impact on the field of early childhood education as we approach our 20th anniversary. My next step is fully bilingual primary school to be the first one in DUBAI.