Welcome to
Early Years Foundation Stage

Providing the best start to your child’s learning journey

About
EYFS

At WEK Early Years Centre, we ensure that development and progress are supported through planned, purposeful play and a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Pinned on educational research, we believe that play is essential for successful child development and that play builds confidence as children learn to explore, think about problems and relate to others.

Our Early Years Centre has four guiding principles:

  • Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
  • Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
  • Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.
  • Children develop and learn at different rates. 

Meet our
Director of the Early Years

Welcome to the Early Years Centre at GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail, home to FS1 and FS2. With five FS1 classes and seven FS2 classes, we are proud to provide an exceptional British EYFS curriculum for children aged 3 to 6 years old.

Our setting offers a warm, nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to explore. Guided by experienced early years educators, our child-led approach places curiosity and creativity at the heart of every day, encouraging independence, communication, and a love of learning.

We are a family-focused community where strong relationships between children, staff, and families flourish. Together, we celebrate each child's learning unique journey and lay the foundations for confident, happy learners.

Rebecca Howells - Director of Early Years

 

World-class Curriculum

Across the Early Years, the children work towards seven Early Learning Goals, which are achieved by the end of FS2. These goals cover the three prime areas; Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language and Physical Development which support the development of essential skills for effective communication, physical health, and building positive relationships and emotional wellbeing. They also cover the four specific areas; Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design which support the development of foundational knowledge and skills in reading, writing, numeracy, exploring the environment, and creative expression.

Expert Teachers

Our specialist-trained teachers, with expert knowledge in early childhood education and guided by the latest research, provide exceptional learning experiences in the Foundation Stage. They create a nurturing environment where children’s individual needs are met, fostering a love for learning and ensuring the best developmental outcomes.

Enrichment

To further enrich our curriculum, we offer specialist sessions led by our expert teachers which include weekly Arabic, Music and Physical Education (PE), whilst our FS2 children enjoy weekly swimming lessons. We also offer a diverse range of extracurricular activities, including sports, creative arts, science clubs, and cookery, providing students with opportunities to develop skills, explore new interests, and enhance their learning beyond the classroom from an early age.

Wellbeing

We place high value on the supporting children’s wellbeing through high-quality play opportunities that encourage creativity and emotional expression. Communal dining spaces foster social interaction, while the library and outdoor areas promote exploration and physical activity. Emphasising social development and friendships helps children build confidence, emotional resilience, and a sense of belonging.

frequently asked
questions

What are the timings for the Foundation Stage?

The school day begins at 7.45am (doors open at 7.15am) and finishes at 1.30pm. We understand that families may also need access to high-quality childcare beyond the school day and offer an extended childcare programme until 3pm (charged at 250 AED per week).

What skills does my child need before starting school?

There is no specific knowledge we require children to have before joining us, as it is our job to teach them. However, a successful transition will be supported if your child has had experience spending time away from parents (e.g., with other family members, in sports classes, or at soft play), respond to (and for FS2) recognise their name, and is able to eat and use the toilet independently.

Will my child get to see the classroom before they join?

All families joining our Foundation Stage are invited to attend a ‘Stay and Play’ session before their child’s first day. During this session, children will have the opportunity to explore our Foundation Stage classrooms and meet the teaching team. Parents will complete a ‘Getting to Know You’ questionnaire with a member of staff and receive important information about their child’s first few weeks at school, including details about the uniform and healthy eating.

How will I know what my child is learning?

We keep parents updated on their child's daily learning and activities by sharing photos through the ‘Seesaw Family’ app. Each week, the class teacher will also provide a ‘Learning Summary’ that outlines what your child has been learning and offers practical activities to support their progress at home. Additionally, you will have termly parent-teacher meetings and receive a report at the end of each term.

What support is offered for children who are new to the English language?

Our communication-rich curriculum immerses children who are new to the English language in spoken English, helping them quickly begin to understand and use words and phrases. Our experienced teachers support language development of communication skills by using visual cues and gestures, allowing children to express their wants and needs as they build their English language abilities.

Blog
HIGHLIGHTS

Reading in the Early Years is about far more than decoding words, it's about sparking imagination, building language, and creating moments of connection.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children begin to build the essential skills that form the foundation for lifelong learning.

Our approach to writing is child-led, creative, and aligned with the EYFS goals for communication, language, and physical development.

school admissions
Nursery  – Year 13