Redwood Montessori Nursery Set to Open Two New Branches in Abu Dhabi Including Marina and Al Nahyan

Kids First Group is happy to announce the opening of the latest state-of-the-art Redwood Montessori Nursery branches in the U.A.E.’s capital, adding Marina and Al Nahyan as two new locations for the homegrown nursery brand. Each will enhance Abu Dhabi’s early learning sector in their own unique way, one with its inclusive environment and on-site expert support and the other with a “free flow” learning concept, which encourages them to become active, self-directed learners.

Redwood Montessori Nursery was originally developed by Kids First Group, a Dubai-based early education group founded by current CEO Kamil Najjar. The group operates 32 nurseries across the U.A.E. and Doha, with 7 other locations in Abu Dhabi including Saadiyat Island, Yas island, Khalifa City, Shams Boutik, Al Mushrif, Reem island and Al Bateen. Redwood Montessori Nurseries have built a strong reputation and their educators have a deep understanding of how to apply the Montessori philosophy to early child development and continuously receive training on the latest research and practices. Their main ethos is that children excel when they have the freedom to navigate their own learning rather than sitting still and memorizing information.

Kids First Group truly understands the need for an inclusive environment. The new branch in Marina will focus on inclusivity and individualized support through an in-house therapist. Children are fully integrated into the nursery community, promoting empathy and a sense of belonging enhanced by a specially designed nurturing and inclusive environment. Ensuring they receive appropriate challenges and opportunities to thrive, Redwood Montessori nursery uses a strength-based approach to learning. Teachers and caregivers observe and identify a child’s interests and strengths, whether it’s creativity, problem-solving, social skills, or physical abilities. Instead of dwelling on areas where children struggle, the emphasis is on building upon their strengths to boost confidence and motivation. Learning takes place in warm, welcoming, creative and well thought out child-focused and child sized spaces promoting independence and engagement. The classrooms are equipped with developmentally appropriate Montessori materials, promoting hands-on learning and discovery. Everything is within reach for the children, fostering independence and enabling them to initiate activities on their own. Uninterrupted work periods in their classrooms facilitate open-ended exploration and concentration, cultivating a love for learning.

Redwood Montessori Nursery in Al Nahyan opening in September 2024, will embrace a free flow concept, featuring carefully curated individual areas of learning. This free flow system empowers children to guide their own learning based on their individual interests. Children will have easy access to a wide variety of materials, ensuring everything they need is always within reach. The purpose built learning environments are thoughtfully designed to appeal to the curious nature of children with spacious classrooms and ample natural light throughout the day.

Implementing a free flow concept in a nursery environment brings numerous benefits across multiple dimensions. Firstly, it promotes autonomy among children by allowing them to freely choose activities that interest them, thereby fostering independence and decision-making skills. This flexibility also encourages exploration of various areas and materials, stimulating curiosity and facilitating learning through discovery. Social skills are enhanced as children interact more freely, developing relationships and teamwork through their common interests. Educators benefit by being able to tailor activities to different developmental stages, ensuring each child is engaged at their level. This approach also reduces stress and anxiety for young learners, creating a comfortable learning environment. Additionally, the free flow setup encourages physical activity, moving between learning spaces and navigating large areas, supporting children’s overall physical development. Lastly, it enhances teacher observation and interaction, enabling educators to better understand each child’s strengths and areas of support, leading to more personalized teaching strategies and effective planning.

The nursery will also feature a botanical garden, extending the classroom and offering a rich, holistic environment for emotional wellbeing, botanical and zoological exploration.

In the early 20th century, Dr. Maria Montessori, founder of the Montessori method, observed that children learn best in a prepared environment filled with specially designed materials that encourage hands-on exploration and self-directed learning. Parents today appreciate the Montessori method for its focus on nurturing autonomy and self-discipline, which are seen as essential skills in a rapidly changing world, preparing them to thrive in diverse personal and professional environments.

Kids First Group reinforced the importance of the parent’s role in a child’s learning journey by launching the Parent Education Academy earlier this year.The PEA is a community exclusive to KFG parents which aims to equip them with the latest insights and research related to child development and parenting through workshops and online resources led by experts.