Masterminds Early Learning Center
Neuroscience-based micro-school nursery in Umm Suqeim
Why Choose This Nursery
Overview
Masterminds Early Learning Center is a KHDA-regulated nursery and kindergarten in Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, located opposite Burj Al Arab. Founded in 2016, the nursery welcomes children aged 1.5 to 6 years across Junior Preschool, Preschool, Pre-KG, KG1 and KG2 year groups. The setting operates as a micro-school, teaching children in ultra-small groups of around five to six, with class teams built around specialist early years educators. Its approach centres on the proprietary ATHENA+ framework, which blends neuroscience-informed teaching with whole-child intellectual, physical and social development. Families at Masterminds Early Learning Center also benefit from a long-term pathway, as KG2 graduates receive priority matriculation into Masterminds VIP Dubai for primary and middle school, continuing the same small-group model through the later school years.
At a glance
Curriculum & Approach
Ages 1.5 to 6 years
Campus & Facilities
Masterminds Early Learning Center is based on Rumiah Street in Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, opposite Burj Al Arab. The nursery in Umm Suqeim…
Care & Wellbeing
With class sizes kept to small micro-groups, Masterminds Early Learning Center's model is built around close daily contact between staff…
Fees
Masterminds Early Learning Center publishes annual tuition on a per-year-group basis. Term and annual fees are AED 24,142 / AED 72,425 for…
Admissions
Masterminds Early Learning Center operates on a rolling admissions basis for children aged 1.5 to 6, though families are encouraged to…
Curriculum & Approach
At the heart of Masterminds Early Learning Center's approach is the ATHENA+ framework, a proprietary philosophy that combines neuroscience-based learning with experiential, sensory-rich activities designed for children in their early years. The framework aims to strengthen executive function and processing speed during the peak neuroplasticity window of the first six years, while nurturing curiosity and joyful, deep learning. The nursery's educational model is informed by an ongoing research collaboration with the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania, which shapes how teaching is adapted to the developing brain. Emotional intelligence and self-regulation are supported from age 1.5 through the Masterminds Social Code, while an in-house platform called EMACS uses data to help teachers personalise learning for each child. Daily learning is delivered through small, specialist-led sessions covering literacy, mathematics, trilingual language immersion in English, Arabic and French, music instruction in Suzuki violin and piano, and physical activities including swimming, gymnastics and ball skills, all woven into a structured but child-paced day.
Ages & Programs
Age range: 1.5 to 6 years
Masterminds Early Learning Center structures its early years journey into distinct stages. Junior Preschool and Preschool serve children from around 1.5 to 3 years, focusing on foundational language immersion, sensory development and purposeful movement in a nurturing setting. Pre-KG and KG1, for children aged approximately 3 to 5, build on this foundation with accelerated inquiry-based learning, growing social confidence and introductory logic and numeracy. KG2, for children aged 5 to 6, is described as the culmination of the early learning journey, developing academic depth, independence and leadership foundations to prepare children for transition into primary school. Across all stages, classes are kept to small micro-groups of around five to six children, with daily specialist input in languages, music, and physical education alongside core literacy and numeracy learning.
Languages
Campus & Facilities
Masterminds Early Learning Center is based on Rumiah Street in Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, opposite Burj Al Arab. The nursery in Umm Suqeim describes purpose-designed early years facilities including a swimming pool, a sports field, play areas, a library, music rooms and a gymnasium, supporting its daily programme of languages, music and physical activity. The micro-school model keeps groups to around five to six children per class, which the nursery says allows every learner to be closely known and supported by a dedicated class team of specialist teachers within these purpose-built surroundings.
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Care & Wellbeing
With class sizes kept to small micro-groups, Masterminds Early Learning Center's model is built around close daily contact between staff and children, allowing teachers to closely monitor each child's development and wellbeing. Complimentary early drop-off is available from 7:30 AM for working families. An annual, non-refundable medical fee of AED 600 covers regular health checks for enrolled children. As part of the application process, families are asked to provide a digital copy of their child's birth certificate and immunisation records, supporting the nursery's health and safeguarding procedures from the point of admission.
Daily Schedule
A typical day at Masterminds Early Learning Center runs from arrival and a welcome activity through to handover in the early afternoon, with exact timings varying slightly by age group and term. In the KG2 year group, for example, the day begins at 7:45 AM and includes a mix of swimming or outdoor play, core academic sessions in maths and English reading and knowledge, and daily language lessons in French and Arabic. The day also weaves in specialist sessions such as guided reading, creative arts, gymnastics and violin instruction, alongside snack and lunch breaks, before children are collected around 2:00 PM. This structured but varied rhythm is designed to combine academic focus with movement, creativity and language practice throughout the day.
Fees
| Item | Frequency | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Junior PreschoolTerm fee AED 24,142; timings 8:30 AM–1:00 PM | annual | AED 72,425 |
| PreschoolTerm fee AED 24,225; timings 8:30 AM–1:00 PM | annual | AED 72,675 |
| Pre-KGTerm fee AED 25,667; timings 8:00 AM–1:30 PM | annual | AED 77,000 |
| KG1Term fee AED 26,000; timings 7:45 AM–2:00 PM | annual | AED 78,000 |
| KG2Term fee AED 26,000; timings 7:45 AM–2:00 PM | annual | AED 78,000 |
| Registration feeNon-refundable; deducted from first term's fee upon placement | one-off | AED 1,000 |
| Medical feeNon-refundable; covers regular health checks | annual | AED 600 |
Masterminds Early Learning Center publishes annual tuition on a per-year-group basis. Term and annual fees are AED 24,142 / AED 72,425 for Junior Preschool, AED 24,225 / AED 72,675 for Preschool, AED 25,667 / AED 77,000 for Pre-KG, and AED 26,000 / AED 78,000 for both KG1 and KG2. Tuition is described as covering a broad range of specialist provision, including daily English, Arabic and French lessons, daily sports such as swimming and gymnastics, daily Suzuki violin and piano instruction, and micro-class teaching in groups of around six to eight students with class teams of five to six specialist teachers. Meals are not included in the standard tuition fees. A non-refundable registration fee of AED 1,000 applies to new applications and is deducted from the first term's fee upon successful placement, alongside an annual non-refundable medical fee of AED 600. Families paying the full annual fee by bank transfer, cash or cheque before 30 June receive a 5% discount (3% for credit card payment), fees can also be paid in three instalments via post-dated cheques, and sibling discounts of 3% for the first sibling and 5% for additional siblings are available.
Admissions
Masterminds Early Learning Center operates on a rolling admissions basis for children aged 1.5 to 6, though families are encouraged to apply early given its exclusive micro-school model of around five to six students per group. All applications are processed through the nursery's digital portal, where families complete student and family details, upload documentation such as birth certificates and immunisation records, and track application status in real time. A non-refundable registration fee of AED 1,000 is required for an application to be considered. Prospective families can book a tour or apply directly online, or contact the admissions team by phone or email for further guidance before applying. The nursery is located at Villa 17, Rumiah Street, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai.
Awards & Recognition
- Best Early Education Provider (10x Winner)
- GSV Elite 200 – Global Innovation
- ACQ5 Global Awards· 2021
- ACQ5 Global Awards· 2022
- ACQ5 Global Awards· 2025
Contact
Umm Suqeim Third
Location
Dubai · Umm Suqeim 3
Get directionsThis profile was compiled from the nursery's website — please verify details directly with the nursery.