Top 5 Preschools in Dubai
Introducing your kid to school during their formative years can be hard. The process should interest them so they can build a positive drive and attitude toward learning.
Fortunately, there are many preschools in the city that can help strengthen your child’s social, emotional, and personal growth.
Even more fortunately for you, we’ll be reviewing the top preschools in Dubai to help you narrow down your long list of choices for today’s listicle.
Cost of Preschool Tuition in Dubai
Bear in mind that enrolling a child in preschool is not mandatory in Dubai. It’s because compulsory schooling in the UAE starts at six years old.
However, most Emiratis and expats in Dubai prefer to enroll their children in preschool between the ages of three and five years old.
Since early education is one of the foundations of childhood development, it’s an important investment that parents greatly consider.
The table below presents the current price range of our top picks’ tuition fees.
The Best Preschools in Dubai
For this listicle, we analyzed and evaluated each entry based on the following factors:
1. Tappy Toes Nursery
| PROGRAM OFFERINGS | ★★★★★ |
| SCHOOL FEES | ★★★★☆ |
| FEATURES | ★★★★★ |
| LEARNING ENVIRONMENT | ★★★★★ |
| LEARNING MATERIALS | ★★★★★ |
| CLIENT FEEDBACK | ★★★★★ |
| CUSTOMER RATING | ★★★★★ |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★★ |
Tappy Toes Nursery made it to our list because of several notable features.
For starters, Tappy Toes Nursery has gone through the complete process of re-opening to ensure parents that kids can safely come back to the nursery.
This school follows the guidelines set by Dubai Municipal and Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Ministry of Education, and Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
Next, this school provides British Curriculum with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
Well, in layman’s terms, this approach to learning is mostly focused on achieving measurable goals. We like this because a well-defined process can help children better understand their progress.
Tappy Toes Nursery believes that all kids are natural learners, so we think that they focus more on providing the right learning environment and tools for the children to showcase their growth.
You see, the class size for kids up to two years old is eight. On the flip side, if the kid is above two years old, the class size is 10 kids.
Besides that, there are two educators and one extra staff on stand-by in each class. In our opinion, this children-to-staff ratio is ideal, especially for nursery, because each kid should be given the time and attention to learn.
To top it off, the school also features a Parent App where clients can access personalized parent support and counseling for their kid’s progress and needs.
Pros
- Offers more than 20 programs
- Provides a sleep center for children enrolled in full-day programs
- Has an e-learning platform and Parent App
- Features ideal class size and children to staff ratio
- Provides bus transportation
Cons
- Detailed rates for transportation and miscellaneous fees are unavailable online
Client Reviews
Hands-on with my kid and worked closely to nurture his strengths further
“My kid got a thorough and well round development exposure at Tappy Toes, which ensured his overall growth both academically and socially at school as well as outside school. Teaching staff was quite hands-on with my kid and worked closely to nurture his strengths further. Admin staff were equally cordial/welcoming and catered/accomodated to needs of kids with personal touch. I am very happy with Tappy Toes and would recommend it strongly.” – Swapna Nair
Best nursery in Dubai
“Best nursery in Dubai. The staff is very friendly and patient. The teachers made learning fun. My daughter enjoyed her journey in Tappy Toes and still misses the nursery and the staff. Highly recommended.”- Akshaya Acharya
2. Super Kids Nursery
| PROGRAM OFFERINGS | ★★★★★ |
| SCHOOL FEES | ★★★★☆ |
| FEATURES | ★★★★★ |
| LEARNING ENVIRONMENT | ★★★★★ |
| LEARNING MATERIALS | ★★★★★ |
| CLIENT FEEDBACK | ★★★★★ |
| CUSTOMER RATING | ★★★★★ |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★★ |
Another school worth checking out is Super Kids Nursery. It follows the British Curriculum of EYFS with the combination of the Montessori approach.
Super Kids Nursery provides three classes. The Infant Class is for children six months to two years old, the Toddlers Class for two to three years old, and the Preschool FS1 Class for three to four years old.
Since every class is different, their programs and activities are tailored specifically to their educational requirements.
For example, their infant-care centers on language, sensory and physical development, while the Toddler Class focuses more on personal development and learning with experience.
Alternatively, the Preschool Class offers the FS1 Program, which delves into the foundation of language, mathematics, phonics, and literacy.
Since preschool should be a combination of learning, exploration, and play, we also like that they integrate learning outside the classroom. The nursery organizes trips, concerts, family day, and sports day every year.
In addition to that, Super Kids Nursery conducts a charity event where hundreds of organizations in Dubai are invited to showcase their products.
Together with their families and friends, the students are also welcome to enjoy various games during the event.
All the money raised from this charity event will be donated to Dubai Cares. This philanthropic organization is developing, and funding programs to help children from all over the world have access to quality education.
All in all, we recommend Super Kids Nursery for kids who love to play and learn at the same time.
The only problem we see is that it’s smaller than other entries on this list. If you want to enroll your kid in this nursery, we recommend that you apply before the term begins.
Pros
- Offers specifically tailored programs
- Organizes trips and events for the students
- Conducts yearly charity events
- Offers tours in the nursery and virtual tours
- Has different play and learning facilities
Cons
- Generally smaller than others on this list
- Bus service only covers Mirdiff, Al Warqaa, and International City
Customer Reviews
I can see the excitement in his eyes every morning
“Strongly recommended. My son is in Kool Kats class, he showed huge improvement after he joined this nursery. He loves his teacher so much, he is spending great time every day there, I can see the excitement in his eyes every morning when he wakes up saying it’s school time! The management are very supportive ad they are very professional, all their advices were just perfect. It was best decision we did to enroll my son here and I’m so thankful for the nursery team and management for taking care of my son and all the children there. Thank you and keep the good job up!” – Samer Ajjan
So much heart and caring mindset
“Amazing staff with so much heart and caring mindset. It’s wonderful seeing my son get excited about going to daycare at busy bees class. The teachers really make an effort to engage the kids and develop them in a very individualised way. The management is really committed to providing a safe, fun, and loving environment and I am thankful to the whole team at Super kids nursery.”- Haytham Abdel-Rahman
3. British Orchard Nursery
| PROGRAM OFFERINGS | ★★★★★ |
| SCHOOL FEES | ★★★★☆ |
| FEATURES | ★★★★★ |
| LEARNING ENVIRONMENT | ★★★★★ |
| LEARNING MATERIALS | ★★★★★ |
| CLIENT FEEDBACK | ★★★★☆ |
| CUSTOMER RATING | ★★★★☆ |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ |
If you’re looking for a multi-awarded nursery, British Orchard Nursery (BON) can be one of your best options. BON was founded in 2006 and now has over 25 branches in the UAE.
This nursery has won over 25 international and national awards, such as the UAE Innovation Award, Best Educational Institute, and Sharjah Economic Excellence Network Award.
On top of that, this nursery also received ISO certifications for three categories; Health & Safety, Environment, and Quality.
We also like how varied their programs are. Since this nursery follows the British EYFS curriculum, its programs center on the seven core areas of learning:
- Communication and learning
- Mathematics
- Personal social and emotional development
- Literacy
- Understanding the world
- Physical development
- Expressive arts & design
We also commend the Gifted and Talented Program they offer for children with determination. Qualified SENCO coordinators also support this program.
Aside from that, there’s much to like about BON. This nursery also provides a range of facilities for learning and exploration. Some of these include a roleplay area, indoor and outdoor play area, water play area, sensory room, and a library.
The only disadvantage to having a lot of programs and assessments is that they can be a bit hard to comprehend, especially for preschoolers.
Pros
- Offers various programs
- Has won multiple awards
- Focuses on the seven core areas of learning
- Has a BON App for learning
- Provides a specialized program for children with determination
Cons
- Has a lot of assessment goals
- Some programs can be a bit complicated
Customer Reviews
Teaching them new concepts while keeping it fun
“The teachers and the staff at the BON DSO are really good. They try to make the children feel comfortable and keep the sessions interactive. We see that the kids enjoy their time at the nursery and lot of credit to the teachers for all their efforts in teaching them new concepts while keeping it fun. Highly recommended.” – Anagha Fernandes
Cares a lot about every child in the nursery
“If you are really looking for the best development of your child, BON DSO is the one and only nursery that provide the best support, care, development, education, fun, love and All what your kid needs. I want to say a Special Thanks to Ms. MODUPE for being a lovely, caring, cooperative, amazing Teacher that developed my Son in a professional way. Ms. MODUPE cares a lot about every child in the nursery and she is eager to support everyone at his own pace in order to come up with amazing results.Thank you.” – Jessy Chakkour
4. Alphabet Street Nursery
| PROGRAM OFFERINGS | ★★★★★ |
| SCHOOL FEES | ★★★★★ |
| FEATURES | ★★★★★ |
| LEARNING ENVIRONMENT | ★★★★★ |
| LEARNING MATERIALS | ★★★★★ |
| CLIENT FEEDBACK | ★★★★★ |
| CUSTOMER RATING | ★★★★★ |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★★ |
Alphabet Street Nursery is a 14,000 square feet (1,301 square meters) nursery that was established over two decades ago.
This school follows the British EYFS Curriculum. The students are distributed into four age groups which are the Infants (2 to 12 months), Toddlers (12 to 24 months), Nursery (2 to 3 years old), and Foundation Stage (3 years +).
For the Infant section, each child is given a bespoke program and home routines. Kids in this age group are also given the opportunity to develop their motor skills through sensory and exploratory play.
Alphabet Street Nursery focuses more on child-initiated plays, focused activities, and craft activities if your kid is a toddler. We think this is a good approach because kids this age are more curious about themselves and their environment.
For those in the Nursery section, the children can participate in creative crafts and other independent activities.
At this stage, the child develops individual interests. That’s why we appreciate that the nursery offers an array of activities such as interactive music, puppet shows, roleplays, cooking, and more to enrich this stage.
Lastly, once the kid reaches the Foundation Stage (FS1), the nursery provides various exercises and activities focusing on fundamental skills like reading, writing, and mathematical skills.
We also like the student-to-teacher ratio in this nursery. There are three teachers for a class containing ten students, so each kid can get the supervision and attention they need.
Among other things, they also offer pick-up and drop-off services for students over two years old, so it’s more convenient and safe.
The nursery’s fees are more affordable and flexible than other nurseries on this list. For the Baby Unit Class, the fees are payable for 45 days to 1 year. On the other hand, the Toddlers/Nursery/Foundation Class’s fees can be paid by term or annually.
Pros
- Offers flexible payment terms
- Has extensive experience
- Has an ideal student-teacher ratio
- Provides pick-up and drop-off services
- Offers a range of programs and activities
Cons
- Office not available on weekends
Customer Reviews
Very satisfied with this nursery
“Alphabet Street Nursery is an excellente nursery. Our baby has been going there for almost 3 months now, it’s a very good nursery, my son is developing really well, he does a lot of activities every day. We are very satisfied with this nursery. The team is great and dedicated to our children. I highly recommend this Nursery.” – Marielle Bastide
There isn’t a better place for my daughter
“A great nursery with an amazing management and staff. I highly recommend it, your child will feel at home. There isn’t a better place for my daughter, she comes home very happy and is always excited to go back! Not only that, at any time of emergency, they always make sure to help in any way possible.” – Dana Charkaoui
5. Chubby Cheeks Nursery
| PROGRAM OFFERINGS | ★★★★★ |
| SCHOOL FEES | ★★★★★ |
| FEATURES | ★★★★★ |
| LEARNING ENVIRONMENT | ★★★★★ |
| LEARNING MATERIALS | ★★★★★ |
| CLIENT FEEDBACK | ★★★★★ |
| CUSTOMER RATING | ★★★★★ |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★★ |
Chubby Cheeks Nursery is also one of the most sought-after early learning establishments in Dubai. It has 16 branches throughout the UAE, and 7 of those are in Dubai, so we think it’s easy to find one close to your home.
What we like most about this nursery are its unique programs, including the CCN Soul Programme, No More Nappies Program, Enrichment Program, Let’s Talk Program, HE-ART Program, and more.
We especially like how varied these programs are because each targets a specific skill or talent to showcase the child’s strength. For example, in the No More Nappies Program, the nursery provides a step-by-step guide to help children in their potty training.
On the other hand, the Enrichment Programs offer a range of opportunities for the kids to explore their hidden talents. They can sign up for ballet, karate, and ball skills.
Another notable feature we like about this nursery is its learning facilities that are divided into age-appropriate zones.
Some of the zones Chubby Cheeks Nursery takes pride in are its indoor gym, play space with a biking track, messy play area, and a baby room with a separate sleeping room.
The tuition fee for this nursery is also generally more affordable because it offers a starting rate of 15,000 AED for a full year. In addition to that, they also offer sibling discounts, so if you plan to enroll more than one child, you can save more.
However, since the detailed fee structure is not available on the website, you’ll need to reach out to the branch office.
Pros
- Has seven branches in Dubai
- Features a range of unique programs
- Provides various learning facilities
- Affordable tuition fee
- Offers breakfast and lunch options
- Has an app for updates
Cons
- Detailed fee structure not available on the website
Customer Reviews
It reawakens my inner child too
“Incredible place. My biggest concern was about how my son would adjust to a new place and new faces that are away from home, since he spent most of his time with me indoors, due to the pandemic. But the teachers and staff there are so loving and the atmosphere is so inviting not just for little ones but it reawakens my inner child too. CCN IVN is a fun little village and I’m so happy to say that my son has a tribe of his own now.” – Nuh Yasir
Can’t recommend them enough!!
“My daughter Levi goes to this nursery and she loves it there, great teachers that take the time to teach children everything they would need. The staff keep the parents updated with a app where pictures and videos are posted daily and that’s great! Can’t recommend them enough!! Great start for any little one.”- Azif Demuynck
FAQs About Preschool Education in Dubai
If you know other great preschools in the city, don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with us.
Alternatively, if your child is done with preschool, it’s time to consider your options as your child moves up the educational ladder.
Feel free to look into our reviews too of the best private schools and top tutoring services in Dubai.