Raffles Early Childhood Centre, Arabian Ranches – The Review

Back Story and Introduction

Early Childhood Nursery Schooling at the Heart of Arabian Ranches

Founded in 2008, Raffles Early Childhood Centre Arabian Ranches is an established and much-loved English National Curriculum nursery delivering a British-international play-based education for little ones aged between between 45 days and 4 years of age. The school curriculum is founded on the UK Early Years Foundation Stage and currently educates around 100 infants and young children. The capacity of the school is capped at 135 children. The school role is international with some 100 nationalities represented. All teachers hold a minimum CACHE Level 3 qualification and qualification range up to Master’s level qualifications in a range of Early Years specialisms.

Rowan Al Shamam Majed. Manager Raffles ECC, Arabian Ranches, summarises the school as follows:

“Our engaging learning environments, beautiful outside spaces and amazing team of early years professionals ensures that every child has a fun filled day filled with learning opportunities at Raffles ECC – Arabian Ranches” 

Differentiators

Unique Features and What Makes this School Stand Out

• Innoventures backing
• Guaranteed slipstream to wide choice of Innoventures schools offering a choice of IB, British and US curriculum alternatives including:

1. Raffles World Academy (IB)- read our review here
2. Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills (IB) – read our review here
3. Dubai International Academy Al Barsha (IB) – read our review here
4. Raffles International School (British/UK) – read our review here
5. Collegiate International School (US/IB) – read our review here

• British EYFS arguably the ‘gold standard’ for Early Years education worldwide
• Excellent transport links
• Focus on child happiness
• Warm dynamics
• Purpose build school with strong investment in learning
• Faculty are conviction educationalists chosen for their commitment to, and passion for, teaching and caring for infants and young children

Location

The Hub Nursery for Emirates Hills

Raffles Early Childhood Centre is located at a hub nursery for Arabian Ranches  with easy access to the following locations:

• Al Barsha South
• Damac Hills
• Layan
• Mudon
• Mira
• Sustainable City
• Town Square

Facilities

Warm Nursery School Dynamics and Purpose Built Design

Raffles Early Childhood Centre Arabian Ranches is one of the most established of Innoventures’ nursery schools with a long-standing reputation for delivering an outstanding Early Years education for students have all the warmth that comes from a lived-in, much loved school – and the nod to an Arabic fairy tale castle in the design flourishes is not lost on the young children. Classrooms are light-filled and spacious and the school enjoys developed outdoor spaces for learning in nature.

The purpose-built campus has seven fully-equipped, bright and inspiration-filled classrooms. Facilities include:

• really well thought out playground
• closed-circuit cycling track
• balancing beam
• climbing frame
• sand pit
• mud kitchen
• eco garden

ECA paid-for options are numerous including:

• Ballet
• Music
• Arabic language
• Martial Arts
• Gym
• Football
• Gymnastics
• Multi Sports
• Trips including visits to Butterfly Garden, Camel Farm and the theatre.

Leadership

Innoventures’ Chief Executive Officer, Poonam Bhojani, is extraordinarily inspiring. Over many years we have found in her commitment to children and educational resolve to deliver outstanding education something of a tour de force. Ms Bhojani plays an instrumental role in the performance ethics and philanthropic values of all Innoventures Education Schools and we know that Raffles World Academy, and its students, hold a special place for her in the history and ongoing achievements of the group. We recommend reading the fascinating interview with Ms Bohaji here from our sister site WhichSchoolAdvisor which captures something of her spirit.

Mrs Bhojani writes:

“Our organisation was founded in 2004 with the objective of providing ‘world class’ education. Since our inception we have been proud of our ‘parent centric’ vision that ensures that we place the interests of our students at the core of all decisions. The outcomes can be seen in the form of the excellent results in the final examinations of the graduating classes as well as university placements in premier institutions of the world.

It is our constant endeavour to empower our students with a holistic, rigorous and international education for success in an ever-changing world.  After all, their success is our success.

With 7,750+ students from more than 100 nationalities in our schools and nurseries, we are a culturally rich, international community. There is unity in our diversity with collaboration between students, parents and staff towards enhancing the educational experience of our students based on our core values of Achievement, Collaboration, Integrity, Respect and Responsibility at all levels.

Most importantly, we have happy students who love coming to school every morning with a smile on their face and a spring in their step. This for me is the most gratifying aspect of being with our wonderful young people. I thank all our staff for collectively making this happen and thank parents for their confidence in us.”

Rishika Malhotra, Head of Raffles Early Childhood Centres, Innoventures Education, continued:

“We offer the English Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum in all our Early Childhood Centre’s, with a focus on children’s individual needs, interests, and development.

Our centres are warm and welcoming spaces where children can explore, discover, learn, and engage with the world around them.

Each has been designed with children and families in mind.

Our aim is ensuring that children leave the Raffles ECC’s having built a strong foundation for future success and a love of learning!”

Curriculum

International British EYFS – Focused on Play Based Learning

Three areas build the foundation for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving. These are:

• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social and emotional development

A further four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied, are

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

A spectrum of learning activities support these including:

• Messy play
• Water and sand play
• Loose parts play
• Heuristic play
• Music and dance
• Physical Education
• Art
• Role play
• Gardening
• Arabic

You can read the latest guidance on EYFS below:

Fees and Value For Money

Low Premium Fees with Strong ROI

2023-2024 school fees at Raffles Early Childhood Centre Arabian Ranches are tailored around, and flexible to, the needs of individual families but average AED 44,000 for a 5-day school week day between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm.

In its balance of location, Tier 1 facilities, investment in teachers and curriculum, we rank ROI for parents outstanding.

Raffles Early Childhood Centre Arabian Ranches – The SchoolsCompared Verdict

Fabulous, small-scale nursery in a beautiful, purpose-built building in the heart of Emirates Hills. Many parents will be attracted by the location, but the offer here is more substantial than easy accessibility. Innoventures has proven expertise in the delivery of EYFS – it is the exclusive foundation of all its nurseries such is its confidence in the ‘gold standard’ curriculum – and its teachers are all highly qualified to a minimum CACHE Level 3. Many may argue for the strengths of the independents, but the stakes here, namely ensuring that children are prepared and achieving at a high level for the transition most make to Tier 1 Innoventures schools, ensures the quality of delivery. Teachers are chosen based on skill and qualifications – but, as importantly, their conviction-led passion for teaching (and caring for) infants and yoiung children.

Highly recommended.

Further Information

Visit the official Raffles Early Childhood Centre Arabian Ranches web site here.

Read our Curriculum Guide on a British EYFS Early Years education here.

Contact Raffles Early Learning Centre Arabian Ranches:

• Landline 800 ENROL/ +971 4 427 1233 / 1241
• Mobile: 055 965 8676

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