FAQ

My child has a food allergy; can he attend your Nursery?

Yes, children with allergies are welcome at Bright Beginnings. We make sure that all staff are aware of allergies and encourage children not to share food. We also (in conjunction with the parents) put an action plan together in the event of an allergic reaction; all staff will be aware of the procedures to deal with your child’s allergic reaction.

What should we bring to the Nursery?

Parents of children who are not yet toilet trained will need to supply nappies, wet wipes and any creams you wish to be used.
All parents are asked to provide their child with:
• a morning snack
• a packed lunch and drink
• an afternoon snack if your child is staying after 3pm
• a change of clothes for your child, including suitable outdoor wear
• sun screen (which should be applied before coming to the Nursery)
• a sunhat
• a travel change mat for your child’s individual use
All clothes should be labelled and appropriate for Nursery, where your child will be playing with paint, clay and sand and generally be getting messy.
Babies will be required to bring all their bottles of milk (premixed or water and milk powder separated), and any solid food they may require.
A couple of sets of labelled clothes will also be necessary. Please also send along any comfort toy or snugly.

What is the Nursery policy on appropriate behaviour?

Although our Nursery programs are very relaxed, they operate within the structure of a balanced framework. Amid all the fun, the children learn that there are times to be noisy and times to be quiet, times to choose for themselves and times to cooperate with others, times for speaking and times for listening, times for fun and laughter and times for concentrating and effort. We aim for children to question thoughtfully, to become independent, to be responsible for their actions, to develop respect for others’ feelings and belongings, and to become responsible members of the community.

Do you have a Communication App?

Yes, we have the FAMLY communication App that all parents can access upon registration. This valuable tool serves as a link between home and nursery. Parents can private message the teachers on the App. And Nursery staff can do the same.
We share daily routine information such as meals, nappy changes, toilet visits, nap times and so on, so parents can get a full picture of their child’s day at Nursery. We also share our weekly curriculum, newsletters, updates, pictures and short videos of the children whilst at Nursery.

How do we communicate with teachers on the App?

You can private message the teachers on the App. However, if you need something urgently please contact the office.

What do you share on the App?

We share daily routine information such as meals, nappy changes, toilet visits, nap times and so on. We also share our weekly curriculum in addition to pictures and short videos of the children in the Nursery.

How many times per week do you share pictures and videos?

We share pictures and videos around 3 times per week, depending on your child’s attendance.

How will I know what my child is learning during the day?

The topics to be covered will be posted on our Famly communication app each week. You can also discuss this with your child’s teacher at pick up or drop off time.

What curriculum do you follow?

Two theories of curriculum pedagogy determine Bright Beginnings Curriculum – The Early Years Foundation Stage (UK) and the Early Years Learning Framework (Australia). The overriding practice though is Play Based Learning – a context for learning through which children organise and make sense of their social worlds, as they engage actively with people, objects and representations. Play is very important for children. Through Play, babies and young children explore and learn to understand the world around them as they come to communicate, discover, imagine and create. When children play they are showing what they have learned and what they are trying to understand. By using Play as our framework, educators will guide a child’s play by carefully designing learning activities and stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environments.

Child-led, learning through play, is a major focus at the centre.

Do you offer Arabic and other languages?

We offer Arabic, French and Spanish lessons on most days of the week to all the children. We also have bilingual Arabic/English or French/English or Spanish/English classes at some of our Branches.

I would like to work in the Nursery.  How do I apply?

Please send your CV to to our dedicated email careers@brightbeginnings.ae.

Do you provide after Nursery activities?

Yes, we do offer after Nursery activities, generally provided by the Nursery and other outside organisations.

How much are your Tuition Fees?

Our fees vary depending on the number of days and pick up times. We do not publish our fees but you can make enquiries when you attend a Tour.

When are the Tuition Fees due?

Fees are payable as follows:-

Autumn Term      15th August

Winter Term        1st December

Spring Term         1st March

Are there any other Fees?

Currently, there are no other payable fees unless you do occasional extra hours after your child’s scheduled finishing time.

Do you charge an annual Medical Fee?

We do not charge a Medical Fee at this time.

What do the fees include?

The Tuition Fees are for tuition only and do not cover meals, snacks, nappies or other supplies.

Do I have to pay fees whilst my child is away on holidays or sick?

Yes, when you pay tuition fees we guarantee a place for your child in the Nursery whether your child attends or not. We do not offer make-up days due to sickness or holiday time.

How many sessions do you offer per week?

We offer 2 days, 3 days, 4 days and 5 days a week options.

Can I increase/decrease the number of days my child attends Nursery?

You can request an increase to the number of days your child attends Nursery but we cannot guarantee when those days will be available. Once our classes are full, extra days will only become available when a child relocates. We will offer these days to the parents in the class who have already requested extra days. These days are offered on a first come first served basis.

Please let the office know as soon as you want extra days and they will register your request.

If you wish to decrease the number of days that your child is attending the Nursery, please let the office know as soon as possible.

What happens if my child doesn’t settle?

Some children settle relatively quickly and parents can say goodbye to them after a short while, confident in the knowledge that they are leaving a happy child. Others are more reluctant to part from their parents and need a month or so to settle in. We will work with you and your child to ensure they become confident and settle into the Nursery at their own pace.

Our staff will call you if they feel that your child is ready to go home. You can call the office at any time and ask us to check with your child’s teacher to see how they are doing.

A child will ever be left distressed at any time. A few tears on separation from a parent can easily be overcome; however, if a child becomes very distressed and our staff are unable to comfort or distract them, parents will be contacted.

Do you provide meals for the children?

We do not have the facilities to prepare meals for the children. All children will bring their own food to Nursery.

What if my child doesn’t/won’t eat?

We will offer your child food and drink from the lunch box that you have provided and our staff will encourage them to eat. We do not discard any uneaten food so you can check your child’s lunchbox at the end of each day to see how much they have eaten. We do not encourage children to share food.

Do you have a healthy eating policy?

We ask parents to provide their children with a healthy lunch box each day. We also ask that there are no nuts, fizzy drinks or sweets.

Any tips for packing my child’s lunchbox?

Please ensure to have a packed lunch with enough ice packs for cold food. For warm food, please make sure that you provide a thermos to keep the food warm.

Do you provide water?

Yes we provide water and we will refill your child’s water bottle throughout the day. Please provide a labelled and age appropriate water bottle.

Do you dispense medication if necessary?

If your child is on medication, (occasional or ongoing), it will be administered by the Nursery’s nurse or the office staff. Any medication must be fully labelled and the teacher must be advised of the need to administer the medicine (all medicine will be kept in the Nurse’s Clinic). You will be required to fill in a medical form.

What happens if my child is taken ill at nursery?

If your child is ill during the course of the day, you or the emergency contact will be advised and will be required to come and collect your child within the hour. While waiting to be collected, your child will be monitored by the Nurse in the clinic.

If my child has been ill, how many days should they stay off school?

Children have to be symptom free without the aid of medicine for 24 hours before they can return to Nursery. If your child is on antibiotics they must stay away from Nursery for the first 48 hours.

Can medication prescribed by a Doctor be administered to my child at the Nursery?

If you wish your child to be given medication, prescribed by a Doctor while they are at Nursery, we will need a copy of the prescription. The medication must be brought to the Nursery and handed to the Nursery Staff by the parent and can be collected at the end of the Nursery day or the prescribed course. Parents will need to fill out a parent authorisation form prior to the medication being given.

What should I do if my child is too unwell to come to Nursery?

Please call the office or update the parent communication App and tell us that your child is too unwell to attend Nursery. It is highly important that you tell us if your child has any communicable illness so that we can inform other parents in their class of the symptoms.

There are times when the office is very busy and we are unable to take calls. If we do not answer immediately, please leave a message and we will call you back as soon as we can.

• Mehairba (02) 4455 339 • Mushrif (02) 4492 840 • Saadiyat (02) 8784 378

If my child takes a day off because they are unwell can they make the day up at
another time?

No, when you pay tuition fees we guarantee a place for your child in the Nursery whether your child attends or not. We do not offer make-up days due to sickness or holiday time.

What happens if my child has an accident at Nursery?

The children are always supervised by an adult but even then, accidents do happen. We will administer any First Aid required and an accident report will be sent via the parent communication App .

Is there a Nurse on site at all times?

Yes, we have qualified BLS Nursing staff in the Nursery and all our staff are trained in Paediatric First Aid.

How will I make sure that my child’s belongings don’t get mixed up at Nursery?

Please ensure ALL of your child’s items are clearly labelled; clothing, shoes, lunchboxes, food containers, drinking bottles, swimwear and anything else they might bring along.

Where are the Nurseries located?

Bright Beginnings has four locations:-
• Mehairba off 30th Street/Khaleej Al Arabi
• Mushrif off Airport Road in the Mushrif area
• Saadiyat opposite the New York University, Abu Dhabi Campus
• Abu Dhabi Executive Offices, Mushrif
All locations are easy and convenient for most families in Abu Dhabi.
Maps are available on the web site www.brightbeginnings.ae on the Location page.

What happens when my child is too old to come to the Nursery?

If your child is in our preschool (FS1) class, you will apply for a place at a Primary school for them in the September. Applications are usually made from October – February of the school year before they will go to Primary school.

Do you have any recommendations about which schools to apply for?

It is our policy not to recommend any particular school, however we can offer you a list of schools that are in Abu Dhabi and you can apply to those you are interested in.

How much notice do I need to give when leaving the Nursery?

You must give us one full month’s written notice to cancel your child’s place at the Nursery. If, for example, your child’s last day of attendance is the 19 May you must inform us on or before the 19 April.

I need a transfer certificate/report/evaluation for another school?

We will be happy to provide you with certificates, reports or evaluations for your child.

Can my child be put in the same class as her friend?

We cannot guarantee that a child can be placed in a particular class.

What about Toilet Training?

When children are ready to be toilet trained, Bright Beginning’s staff will support parents and children in this process.

Do you have a Newsletter?

Our Newsletter is emailed to you each month and posted on the FAMLY application. The Newsletter contains a message from the office, birthday wishes, topic information and useful dates and Nursery information.

What are the opening hours?

Bright Beginnings Nursery is open from 7am until 5pm, Monday to Friday at our Mehairba, Mushrif and ADEO Branches. Our Saadiyat branch is open 7:30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Do I have to drop and collect my child at the specified open and close times?

We aim to offer flexibility with our drop off timings. Children are to be picked up at or before their paid for pick up time. Pickups that happen after your child’s paid pick up time will result in a late payment fee.

Are you open throughout the Year?

The Nursery is open all year round, only closing for public holidays (as deemed by the Ministry), a few days in the Spring, for a period between Christmas and New Years Day and for a couple of pupil free days per term.

Do you run a Summer Program?

Yes, we run a Summer Program during July and August. Only one or two of our Branches will be open over this time, but children from all branches can avail themselves of the program.

Can my child’s friends, cousins, or siblings attend the Summer Program?

The Summer Program is only available to those children already attending Bright Beginnings Nurseries.

When will my child move up to the next class?

Children who are already walking when they join the Nursery will stay with their class for as long as they attend Bright Beginnings. Each September they will move to a new classroom and have a new teacher. Lesson content will always be age appropriate, as will the educational equipment and books we use.

Babies usually move up to the toddler class at 15 months or when they are walking confidently if a place is available.

Do Parents get feedback from staff?

Yes, at drop off and pick up times you can talk to your child’s teacher on a general basis. If you need a longer meeting then the teacher will arrange a mutually suitable time. You are also able to communicate with your child’s teacher through the parent communication App.

How will I get to know about the progress my child is making?

Our staff regularly keep parents updated of their child’s progress through verbal reports. Developmental reports are sent to Parents termly via the FAMLY App (3 times per academic year). Parent/teacher meetings take place in the first and final terms of the year.

What is the right age to register my child?

At Bright Beginnings we care for children from 45 days to 4 years old. You are able to register your child at any age if we have a place to offer them. If we don’t have a place immediately, then you are welcome to place them on our Waiting List.

Is the Nursery safe & secure?

The Nursery front gate is operated on a security entry system which is monitored by Office staff. Only those with pre-approved permission will be granted access to the Nursery. Those visiting will need to have a scheduled meeting and will need to meet any current government regulations.

I want to send my child’s sibling to the Nursery. How do I put them on the Waiting List?

You should let the office know as soon as possible if you would like your other children to attend the Nursery. While Siblings are given preference on our Waiting List we cannot guarantee them a place immediately. We will offer you a place for your other children as soon as possible but there may be other siblings already on the wait list.

Do you offer a discount for Siblings?

We do offer a Sibling Discount at this time and it is 5% off the second child’s fees.

Do you accept Children of Determination?

All children are special but some have additional individual needs. When a child of determination can be accommodated in the Nursery it is our policy to adapt the routine and environment so that the child can be part of the group and is not made to feel separated or excluded. The child’s ability to access both the Nursery and its curriculum will be observed and continually assessed by the parents and the staff.

What qualifications do your staff have?

We are very proud to say that we have a wonderfully diverse collection of Nationalities represented within our staff. They are experienced in their field and appropriately qualified and approved under ADEK regulations in their specified roles. All of them are trained in First Aid or Basic Life Support. All of our staff also undergo training in all areas of education throughout each academic year.

What are the staffing ratios?

We strictly follow ADEK guidelines regarding staff ratios. This varies due to age of the children and room size. Please contact individual branches for further information.

What time shall I bring my child to Nursery?

Drop off times (after opening) in the morning are flexible to suit you and your child.

Can I pick my child up before their paid for pick up time?

Yes, you can pick up your child at any time; we have an open door policy.

What if I am running late or get stuck in traffic and can’t make my child’s pick up time?

Please call the office and let us know so that we can reassure your child that you are on your way.

Can I send a friend to pick my child up from the Nursery?

Please advise the Nursery of the authorized persons allowed to collect your child. If someone comes to collect your child and their name is not on the authorized persons list, you must call and let the Nursery know that this person can collect your child – otherwise we will not allow your child to leave the Nursery until authorization is given by the parent.

Can I have a copy of your terms and conditions?

You will be given a copy of our Terms and Conditions when you come to tour the Nursery. The Terms and Conditions will be discussed and we will answer any questions you may have. We will also ask you to sign an acknowledgement of these when you register your child.

Can we drop in for a look around?

We strongly recommend that prospective parents take a tour of one of our Nurseries before deciding to place their child with us. Tours are by appointment only which you can book by calling your preferred Nursery.

• Mehairba (02) 4455 339 • Mushrif (02) 4492 840 • Saadiyat (02) 8784 378

Do you provide transport to and from the Nursery?

No, we do not provide transport.

Is there a uniform?

No, we don’t have a uniform at the Nursery but do have Bright Beginnings T-shirts available to buy from the office, if you wish.

What clothes should my child wear to Nursery?

At Bright Beginnings, the children will be involved in a number of fun and messy activities. Please do not dress your child in his or her best clothes. We do use aprons for painting and messy play, however, your child will be encouraged to play, explore and discover the exciting environment around him or her, and that can be a messy job!

If our family takes a holiday can we take a fee break or make up the time when we come back?

Please note, children are allowed to take holidays during term time, however, you will still be required to pay the fees for that period. The only non-fee paying months, for holidays, are July and August.

Will there be day trips outside of the Nursery?

Yes, from time to time we may take the children on school trips to The Royal Stables, The Heritage Village or even on a tour of the neighbourhood. All trips will be well supervised by staff. You will be required to sign a permission slip before your child can take part in a Nursery trip.

Are the Buses equipped with seat belts?

Any buses used for Nursery trips will be equipped with seat belts.

Do you have a Waiting List?

Yes, we do have a Waiting List for those classes that are full. As places become available in a class these will be offered to the next child on the Waiting List for that class or those that have toured.

How long will it take before I am offered a place for my child?

We cannot predict when places will become available. We will keep your child on our Waiting List if we can’t offer a place straight away, provided that you have toured one of the Nurseries.