Aga Khan Early Learning Centre
Bilingual EYFS nursery in Oud Metha, Dubai
Why Choose This Nursery
Overview
The Aga Khan Early Learning Centre (AKELC) is a non-profit nursery and preschool in Oud Metha, Dubai, welcoming children from twelve months to four years of age. Housed within the Ismaili Centre Dubai, the Centre is part of the wider Aga Khan Development Network and draws on the Aga Khan Education Services' long-standing experience in early childhood education across the developing world. As a secular and non-denominational nursery in Oud Metha, Dubai, AKELC welcomes children of all nationalities, ethnicities, religions and abilities. The Centre delivers a broad, bilingual English and Arabic programme built on the UK's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, supporting each child's home language while preparing them for wider participation in an international community. With a capacity of around 100 children, purpose-built classrooms and dedicated outdoor play areas, AKELC has been recognised through several nursery quality accolades and holds UK National Day Nurseries Association accreditation, reflecting its focus on holistic, high-quality early years care and education.
At a glance
Curriculum & Approach
British · EYFS · US HighScope • Ages 12 months to 4 years
Campus & Facilities
AKELC's purpose-built nursery is located within the Ismaili Centre Dubai in Oud Metha, a building designed to support cultural, educational…
Care & Wellbeing
AKELC places emphasis on a careful, individualised settling-in process, recognising that starting nursery can be an emotional experience…
Admissions
AKELC accepts children between one and four years of age and is open for admissions all year round. Parents can arrange a tour by…
Curriculum & Approach
AKELC follows the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, delivered as a bilingual English and Arabic programme. The curriculum covers the seven EYFS areas of learning, beginning with the three prime areas of Communication and Language, Physical Development, and Personal, Social and Emotional Development, before building into the four specific areas of Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design. A model of the High Scope approach is integrated throughout, giving children regular opportunities to express their ideas through the plan-do-review cycle and small-group experiences. This active-learning approach is grounded in the principle that young children learn best through direct engagement with people, materials and ideas, supported by a predictable yet flexible daily routine. At Preschool level, the High Scope model is further supplemented with literacy and numeracy activities, including elements of the Jolly Phonics programme, alongside continued reference to EYFS principles, to support children's readiness for transition to primary school.
Ages & Programs
Age range: 12 months to 4 years
AKELC's Nursery Programme is designed for children aged one to four years, with classrooms structured by age group and staffed by a lead English teacher and an Arabic teacher, supported by assistants to meet ratios. The one to two year old classroom, which has an attached nap room, maintains a ratio of one staff member to four children and offers age-appropriate sensory, motor, music and early language activities. Toddler Classes cater for children aged two to three years, led by a teacher who balances child- and teacher-initiated activities, with a staff-to-child ratio of 1:6. Specific time is set aside for hygiene routines and nutritious snacks, with a strong focus on language, self-awareness and independence, delivered bilingually in English and Arabic. The Preschool programme, including Foundation Stage 1 (FS1) for children aged three to four years, is led by an English and an Arabic teacher alongside assistants, and focuses on school readiness and child agency. Individual, small-group and large-group activities support cognitive, language, social-emotional and physical development, balancing creative exploration with intentional teaching. Each term, AKELC also offers enrichment and afterschool sessions open to the wider community, including music and movement, dance and football classes for children aged one to six years.
Languages
Campus & Facilities
AKELC's purpose-built nursery is located within the Ismaili Centre Dubai in Oud Metha, a building designed to support cultural, educational and social programmes. Classrooms are described as unusually large and bright, filled with natural light, with materials logically grouped and clearly labelled so children can access them independently. The setting includes two outdoor play areas, a well-stocked library, alcoves for small-group learning and a full-size indoor gym, giving children in this Dubai nursery varied spaces to learn, move and connect with peers. Each classroom has its own toilet facilities and direct access to an outdoor area, supporting smooth transitions between activities. AKELC adheres to staff-to-child ratios that are lower than Ministry of Education requirements across its age groups, from 1:4 in the youngest classroom to 1:6 for Toddler Classes, supporting close supervision and individual attention throughout the day.
Gallery
Care & Wellbeing
AKELC places emphasis on a careful, individualised settling-in process, recognising that starting nursery can be an emotional experience for both children and parents. Staff work closely with families to plan a smooth separation process, encouraging parents to spend time in the Centre during the early weeks and to maintain consistent routines and pick-up times. A parent orientation is held with the Head of Nursery and Preschool as part of this transition, and families are encouraged to become familiar with Centre policies, routines and environment. Specific times are scheduled throughout the day for hygiene needs and nutritious snacks, particularly within the Toddler Classes, supporting children's growing independence and self-regulation. As a secular and inclusive nursery, AKELC welcomes children from all nationalities, ethnic groups, religions and abilities, with programme materials chosen to reflect the diversity of the communities it serves.
Daily Schedule
The Centre is open daily from 7am to 5pm and follows a predictable yet flexible daily routine designed to respond to children's natural curiosity. Throughout the day, children move between individual, small-group and large-group activities, supported by adult-initiated learning experiences and the plan-do-review cycle drawn from the High Scope approach. This structure gives children a sense of security and confidence, helping them anticipate and engage with different parts of the programme, while developing planning, decision-making, problem-solving and reflecting skills as they progress through the day.
Admissions
AKELC accepts children between one and four years of age and is open for admissions all year round. Parents can arrange a tour by contacting Reception by phone, email or in person, and are encouraged to meet with the Head of Nursery and Preschool during their visit. To register, families complete an admissions form along with the required set of documents; once these are submitted with the applicable fees, a child may begin nursery in their registered class. If a class is full, children are placed on a waiting list and offered a place on a first-come, first-served basis. The academic year runs across three terms, from September to December, January to March, and April to June, with winter, spring and an eight-week summer holiday programme incorporated into the calendar.
Awards & Recognition
- Edarabia Parents' Choice Award· 2017
- NDNA Nursery of the Year – International· 2018
- Leading Nursery Finalist, Fatima Bint Mubarak Award for Motherhood & Childhood· 2018
- Best Nursery, Top Schools Awards· 2019
- Nursery of the Year – Dubai (Bronze), Mother, Baby & Child Magazine· 2019
Contact
Oud Metha
Location
Dubai · Oud Metha
Get directionsThis profile was compiled from the nursery's website — please verify details directly with the nursery.