IDEA Early Learning Centre to open in Dubai in September

IDEA Early Learning Centre is scheduled to open in Dubai's Victory Heights neighbourhood in September 2016.

The nursery, which will cater for children aged one to six years old will offer the US-based Creative Curriculum, which focuses specifically on literacy and language development within the early years.

Fees at the nursery will range from AED 33,000 (US $8,986) per year for infants to AED 43,000 ($11,709) based on a five-day per week term.

IDEA ELC will be led by founding director Ashleigh Thompson, who joined the team in April 2016. Thompson most recently served as head of foundation department at a school in Dubai, where she developed her local knowledge of the culture, heritage and national agenda of the UAE.

One of Thompson's areas of expertise is literacy within the early years and she has a Master's Degree in Creative Writing in the Classroom. She has also penned several children's stories.

Her vision is to establish IDEA ELC as a centre for literacy excellence. To this end, the nursery has created an early years literacy scholarship programme that will enable five Emirati children to attend the centre free of charge.

Commenting on the opening, Thompson said: "It's been a hectic few months but we are in the final preparations now. IDEA Early Learning Center will have a strong community ethos and an open door for all parents. We see ourselves as part of the fabric of Victory Heights and Dubai Sports City and I am absolutely delighted to open IDEA and create a center for literacy excellence right here in the community."

The nursery's founding team comprises of Dubai-based staff as well as international teachers who are all early years specialists.