What Are the Benefits of a British Nursery Curriculum for Your Child?

Play is the work of a child, it’s how they learn and make sense of the world around them!

When it comes to choosing the right nursery for your child, finding one that nurtures curiosity, confidence and a love for learning should be at the top of every parent’s list! One of the most trusted and widely used early education frameworks worldwide is the British Curriculum. The reason it’s so popular is because it manages to balance both freedom of creativity and structure, providing children with a wonderful foundation for both academic and personal growth. At Kid’s Island, we use the British Curriculum as our foundation for our Inspire Philosophy pedagogy and we want to tell you a little bit more about it.

Choosing a Diverse and Well-Rounded Curriculum

The reason there are so many British curriculum nurseries in the UAE is because it was one of the first to adapt to practice within the Emirates. It’s flexible and diverse nature means that it can be used by a wide range of schools and meld perfectly with other early years pedagogies. Rooted in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, learning through play is prioritised to aid in the holistic development of key learning areas like communication and emotional growth, physical skills, early literacy and numeracy respectively. 

Instead of the focus being centred on academic success, the British nursery approach looks at the whole child and sees value in supporting social interaction, emotional intelligence and independence from the early years onwards. This makes it inclusive for children all over the world, no matter where they came from or what their backgrounds are, resonating beautifully in a setting like Dubai! Most classrooms are filled with children from all over the world, only adding to the charm of such a multi-national environment.

Teachers and families alike appreciate the simple fact that the British nursery curriculum grows with the child! It allows for the natural progression of play-based exploration into the more structured and focused learning as they move through primary and into secondary education. Having this continuity helps children to adapt with ease as they advance in school, particularly if they remain in the British school system.

The Benefits in the Early Years

The early years are a crucial time in any child’s life. The British nursery curriculum recognizes that learning should mean something and be impactful long term. In nursery, children are encouraged and guided by their teachers to be both curious and inquisitive, incentivizing them to question the world around them. The impact of this is children who are confident to take calculated risks and make discoveries in a safe and supportive environment.

Through hands-on play experiences, story-telling, creative arts and artistic expression and plenty of time to play in the outdoors; children develop a vast range of skills without even realizing they are learning! Early on in a child’s education journey, communication and language development are a primary focus, helping children to build up their vocabulary and confidence through expressing themselves. Emotional wellbeing of every child is a priority with teachers supporting children to identify their feelings, establish friendships and develop a sense of empathy.

Another benefit is how individualised children’s learning experiences are within the EYFS framework. Teachers are encouraged to observe each child closely and plan accordingly to meet the children in their classroom’s individual interests and needs. Whether your little one loves painting, building, or storytelling, their passions are used as stepping stones to deeper learning. This approach means that every child is able to progress at their own pace and develop a love of learning that will stick with them for life.

Choosing the Right British Nursery

While the British curriculum will provide the foundation, each nursery and setting will deliver it in it’s own unique way. There are many factors to look at when considering which nursery is right for you and your child.

The first and foremost factor to consider is the setting’s location to your home. Dubai is notorious for it’s endless traffic, so ensure you do your research to check how long your drive from home to the nursery will be during drop off and pick up timings. For many parents in Dubai, enrolling in a nursery in Jumeriah is a popular choice due to it being central and fostering a warmer, community atmosphere.

Next, consider the setting’s ethos, pedagogy and teaching style. Some nurseries lean heavily into the more rigid, structured aspects of the British curriculum, where as other are more creative with their approach to early learning and mesh it with other pedagogies like Montessori, Forest Schooling or our own pedagogy The Inspire Philosophy. Ensure you do your part by touring different settings, ask the important questions and see how classrooms are set up to see how your child will be supported throughout their day and their learning journey.

Fees and class sizes are other important considerations to take into account. Smaller class sizes will often mean that teachers will have more opportunities to offer individual attention and develop closer bonds to the children in their cohort. Ask about the break-down of fees, whether it includes meals, transportation costs, extra-curricular activities and extended hours.

Finally, a nurseries community and values are part of what sets them apart from one another. A welcoming and communicative environment where parents feel invited and welcome can make a huge difference in the impact it has on a family. Many nurseries, like us, run mum and baby play groups in the nursery premises, allowing you to get a feel for the atmosphere before your child officially starts nursery!

A Foundation for Lifelong Learning

At Kids Island Nursery, we believe that every child deserves a joyful and inspiring start to their learning journey. Our nursery is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every child who walks through our doors. From the very first interaction, we focus on nurturing each child’s individuality and encourage them to discover the world in their own unique and wonderful way!

Get in touch to book a tour of our nursery school, or book a stay-and-play nursery school session to see how your child experiences the nursery school. Or get in touch with Kid’s Island Nursery School, Dubai for any other questions you might have.