Nursery Fair brings parental issues to the fore in UAE

Dubai: Finding a nursery in the UAE that is safe and hygienic with certified teaching staff is tough enough, let alone choosing one with the appropriate curriculum or affordable fees.

Parents and educators raised these issues during the two-day UAE Children’s Nursery Fair that opened on Friday.

Gulf News reported cases of nurseries being shut down, unlicensed home nurseries being raided and squalid, unsafe conditions for toddlers earlier this year.

Among incidents, the Ministry of Social Affairs aided by the Ras Al Khaimah Police raided in February an unlicensed nursery and removed 17 children between the ages of four months and two years.

For parents, the reasons for pre-schooling are varied. Some believe that it makes the transition to kindergarten easier others believe it improves a child’s admission chances. Some full time working parents think it is more beneficial than leaving the child with a nanny.

Regardless of the motivation, parents told Gulf News that their top concern is the safety and wellbeing of their child.

Indian parent Nishi Dawani who is on the hunt for a nursery for only child Vanshika, two years and five months old, said that there is limited information on the number of nurseries.

“Safety is integral. I want one that has high standard as well as one that offers a mix of different activities. Cost is also a factor because nursery education is more expensive with monthly fees touching Dh3,000,” she said.

Apart from safety, for Spanish parent Carolina Gonzales and her two daughters aged one and three years, the teacher-student ratio, indoor-outdoor space and trained staff are important.

She said, “The curriculum is not as important as long as the learning is fun. With trained staff, I am assured of safety and hygiene standards. I would rather enrol my daughters at a nursery when they can learn than leave them at home with the nanny.”

For Filipino parent Rozelyne Mirandilla and her first child Elijah, two and a half, the reputation of the nursery is key. “I believe that a good nursery prepares a child for future education,” she said.

On the curricula aspect, nursery education is fraught with concerns, according to educators, speaking to Gulf News.

Jan Webber, Educator and Regional Nursery Director of Willow Children’s Nursery, Dubai said that parents consider location, timing and fees.

“The curriculum is not the most important consideration,” said Webber.

In her opinion, parents should look for three parameters.

“A safe environment, the level and quality of interaction between staff and children, making a child feel welcomed and valued, and the facilities that offer value for money are key. A parent wants the child to be looked after and to be taught to love learning,” she said.

Of stricter regulations, Prakash said, “There should be a central body to grade and regulate nurseries because not every nursery does what it claims to do.”

Sharmin Patel, director of the Fair organising company Athena Events, Dubai, added that the Fair has helped connect parents with educators and brought the benefit of early education to the fore.

She said, “Parents need to know what is on offer and educators need to know the parents’ requirements.”