beeniedubai

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 October 2015 - 08:40

We just started doing nursery tours for my DS and I researched various Montessori programs in Dubai. From what I know, these schools offer montessori for pre-school: -Gulf Montessori (2yrs+) -Raffles International - South Campus (18 mo+) - they have many campuses but only Springs and South Campus Offer Montessori -Little Land (14 mo+) -Ladybird (unsure of min age - 3 mo+?) -De La Salle Montessori (3 mo+) So far we visited: Raffles South Campus-- felt a bit commercial to me. Also very much like a machine, waiting lists, etc, a bit impersonal. did not visit the springs campus as it would be too far for me. Ladybird was nice (jumeirah branch), but also felt a bit "flashy" - also i was put off when they were talking to me about school placements and what schools they have proudly placed their pre-schoolers in-- they're babies for crying out loud!!! not really what i want my 18 month old to focus on. will say facilities are lovely. Little Land - unassuming, not flashy from the outside, but wow, when you walk in, you feel like you're at home. the kids are friendly, happy, smiling, social, will come up to you and engage in conversation, and everyone looked excited to be there. warm environment, and the headteacher and staff are super qualified and involved. i was so impressed. the downside is that they are EXTREMELY expensive, and also only offer you an option to extend hours to 2pm, which is hard if you're working. all children are cared for by TEACHERS-- there are NO NANNIES! (which i loved) i think we will be enrolling the LO in Little Land because honestly I could not imagine him anywhere else, and could not imagine a more welcoming place that met all our requirements and fit our own personal parenting philosophies. Non-montessori programs, but unique curriculum schools i visited: Kensington Nursery (reggio emillia curriculum)- very good. qualified staff. expensive, but include meals, and accept children from 6 weeks +. facilities are huge and staff are friendly, kids seem happy. saw a toddler class sitting in a room watching a cartoon movie-- didn't like that (don't believe kids that young should be watching tv in school) Inspire Nursery (US Creative Curriculum + One Tribe Philosophy adapted from the United Nations) - accepts babies (not sure of age). This nursery was horrendous IMO. it had received such rave reviews online that i included it on my tour list, but man, what an experience it was. the place was all pomp and no substance. nice facilities, big villa, but there was total chaos inside, kids were crying, and there was NO learning going on. children did not seem happy, engaged, or "inspired". it was basically just packs of children playing. felt like a daycare in a really fancy shell, and not a pre-school. WORD OF ADVICE: as evidenced by my vastly different experience with inspire nursery than what i read online, dont take at face value anything you find on the internet. go and see every single nursery you have a good feeling about (or even an okay feeling about) because you NEVER KNOW. hope i was able to help!! beenie

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beeniedubai

117

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 March 2015 - 14:51

thanks lolacat-- i saw the new swiss school, but was kind of turned off when i saw there open house / meet the principal event was at The Lounde in Dubai Mall's Fashion Avenue...maybe it's just be but seemed a bit pretentious. do you kno anything about the ICE school?

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