“To Place or Not to Place...That is the Question”...

The decision whether to place your child in a nursery is a common dilemma shared by parents of young tots. Undoubtedly, as parents, we want the assurance that our precious ones are safe, nurtured and provided with the best care possible both within and outside our homes. It is no wonder that searching for the most suitable nursery for the provision of childcare and early childhood educational opportunities can be quite a daunting task. If you are considering the provision of such services you may find yourself quite overwhelmed. You may find yourself searching the internet, asking other parents, visiting one or many more... Which nursery could possibly be good enough, safe enough, responsible enough, and cooperative enough?!?

Research based on international best practice models in early childhood education reliably indicates that children’s early experiences are crucial to their development. When examining the research out there, there is ample evidence that the positive outcomes of quality early childhood education are multifold whereby children find themselves better able to develop a sense of competence as part of a social and physical world. Children attending quality early childhood services tend to have a greater tendency to explore and engage both actively and purposely their social and physical environment via social, emotional, language, physical and cognitive skills.

What would constitute “quality” services in early childhood education? The research outcomes consistently demonstrate that children thrive and attain their potential when engaging in early learning opportunities in integrated, holistic, comprehensive and developmentally appropriate programs and practices that embrace a child-centered and individualized approach, thereby promoting learning and life exploration at each child’s individual level, with sensitivity and awareness about the child’s needs, strengths and weaknesses.

With so many nurseries out there in Dubai, the key question is how does one identify a nursery that both espouses AND delivers programs and services that aim and achieve the above? Well, it is advisable when in the process of searching for the most suitable nursery for your child, to ensure that the primary aim of the nursery is to foster, develop, and help children feel challenged, successful, creative, confident, and capable in an environment that is stimulating, nurturing, and fun.

In terms of educational approaches, it is worthwhile you seek a nursery that adopts the whole child approach to learning. In other words, all areas of development are treated as equally important and that it recognizes that rates of social, emotional, language, physical and intellectual development vary. A system that advocates active learning is optimal whereby activities are designed to teach children information and skills through play, exploration, discovery, multi sensory stimulation and actual manipulation of real, concrete, and relevant materials.

Since families play a primary role in a child’s socialization and education, it is best to ensure from the beginning that the selected nursery is a partner with the family in the education and socialization of children during their early years. It should offer many opportunities for family involvement in a child’s educational experience. Optimally, children, teaching staff, carers and families all benefit from these shared activities, learning from one another and working together for the well-being of the children.

Such partnerships are especially critical when the day comes you hand over your child to the care of others. Granted, the thought of a stranger nurturing and embracing, soothing and nourishing your child is difficult to imagine. It is therefore no wonder that this particular transition is arguably one of the most challenging for any parent. Staff members in children’s nurseries should be very mindful of such sensitivities and therefore enable parents to partner with the nursery in the process of establishing surrogates and assimilating into the environment. On a day to day basis you should have the assurance that the health, safety and well-being of your child is secured through the provision of skilled, qualified and experienced staff that operates with exemplary adult-to-child ratios in limited group sizes. The nursery staff should collectively strive to enhance the overall development of your child and track their progress through systematic observations and assessments, the outcomes of which are communicated to parents and used as a basis for future instruction. Finally, in today’s multicultural world, it is critical that the selected nursery embrace diversity and ensure that all children under their care are treated with respect regardless of ethnic background, lifestyle, disabling condition, gender, family structure or religion.

I wish you the best in finding the most optimal nursery environment that can provide a place where your child can be empowered and affirmed in being “just me” as well as inspired to thrive within a community of fellow learners. 

Dr. Sandra Willis received her doctorate and master degrees in Cognitive Psychology with a specialization in intellectual & developmental disabilities from the University of Alabama in 2001. She is a psychologist by profession with over 10 years in academic and government organizations engaging in teaching, mentoring, research, and community development activities leading to leadership roles that emphasize turnaround strategies with international, government and non-government organizations. A versatile professional consistently achieving goals and moving from vision, research, policy and strategy to implementation, she is adept at designing academic, social development and capacity building plans in partnership with key stakeholders.

Sandra is most recently the co-Founder and Director of Inspire Children’s Nursery whose mission is to provide all children with a home away from home, a place where they can learn, grow & evolve into conscientious global citizens, having the time of their lives in a stimulating and safe environment, built on respect for the self, family and community thereby ensuring the best outcomes for all children. More importantly, Sandra is a mother of 3 loving children – Mia, Jad and Leila - who continuously inspire her to achieve more as a mother, a citizen and a professional.