Dedicated to providing a holistic, state-of-the-art learning environment, our new center is a testament to our innovative approach to early childhood education. Merging the best practices from Montessori, Reggio Emilia, STEM, and the Arts, we’ve crafted a novel curriculum that’s not only adaptive but also future-ready, ensuring our children are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

With Jubail Island’s commitment to becoming Abu Dhabi’s leading sanctuary for wellness and nature enthusiasts, we are excited to contribute to enhancing the quality of life for its residents by offering unparalleled educational facilities.

Join us as we embark on this journey to redefine early childhood education and create a world-class learning experience that nurtures our young ones’ growth and development. Welcome to the new chapter in the story of Kids First Group and the Redwood Center of Excellence.

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“Redwood CoE offers the IB PYP within the innovative blended curriculum of Montessori, Reggio, EYFS and STEM – this is not found in any other setting or school, comments Kamil Najjar, CEO of Kids First Group, It’s an honor to receive such a prestigious authorization, following a strict process monitored by the IB and we’re proud to be the first to set a new standard for early childhood learning in the U.A.E.”

The IB is a global organization that has been around since 1968 and it is organized into 4 programmes, one of those is the Primary Years Programme now available at Redwood CoE until the age of 6. The first six years in a child’s life are critical. A child’s future wellbeing, attainment, happiness and choices are profoundly affected by the quality of the guidance, care and opportunities they receive during these formative years. By choosing an enabling and interactive learning environment, to allow for more personalised learning, means they are more ‘school ready’ and likely to flourish once they enter the education system.

“Many schools offer the Primary Years Programme, but the benefit of staying in a pre-school setting is the extra care young children receive in a nurturing, safe environment where they get to explore without pressure, contributing positively to their adaptability and confidence,” IB PYP Coordinator, Sima Abou Chacra explains. In addition to the above, parents are choosing to opt for this option to early learning for the educator ratios as well as the flexibility in hours since Redwood CoE is open until 6 pm, throughout the year.

The PYP is a student-centered approach to education that offers an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding. This means that students learn across subject areas while inquiring into big ideas. The PYP at CoE is conducted through an abundance of Active Play which nurtures young learners’ holistic development, unlike Early Years Departments in schools which are part of a wider instruction-led, standardized school system and more heavily orientated towards testing and assessment from a young age. “Play is often one of the first activities to be taken away from children in schools to replace it with more ‘formal’ proper learning,” says Geraldine Hill, Director/Head of Research & Development.

By learning through inquiry and reflecting on their own learning, PYP students develop the attributes of the IB Learner profile to make a difference in their own lives, their communities, and beyond.“The programme’s approach to learning allows students to adapt easily to any big school they transition to, no matter which programme they follow.” comments Elizabeth Scahill, Director at Redwood Center of Excellence. The IB learner profile represents a broad range of human dispositions, capacities and traits that encompass intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth such as “risk taker,” “principled,” “inquirer,” “thinker,” “caring,” and others. Developing and demonstrating the attributes of the learner profile is an expression of what the IB means by international-mindedness.

The PYP curriculum recognizes learners’ innate potential to inquire, question, wonder and theorize about themselves, others, and the world around them. They’re self-directed in their learning, they know how to identify problems and how to use their skills to solve them. The environment is seen as a teacher, and students are partners in the learning process.

With over 55 nationalities currently recorded at Redwood CoE, it’s only fitting that such a programme is inducted into the early learning center that seeks to raise “future-ready” children in a multicultural city. Each school decides specific concepts and topics studied through each theme based on their local context so Redwood CoE’s commitment to the U.A.E.’s culture remains the same, if not stronger.

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Parents joined us for an engaging and insightful panel discussion where we explored the two complementary methods which guide Redwood’s innovative approach to education and childhood development.  Both the Montessori and Reggio Emilia Approach have a shared image of a child with voice and choice and accompanying teaching styles support a child’s holistic development.

Jesse McCarthy (USA) founder of MontessoriEducation.com and The Montessori Education Podcast discussed the value of a Montessori Education as a ‘Preparation for Life’ with as much relevance for the future as the Method has for over century.  Jesse, with a 20-year background in Montessori education, shared the boundless potential of each child to flourish when the conditions for development are right.  Parents explored key areas of the Montessori Curriculum and Jesse shared invaluable advice for parents to increase their involvement with everyday acts with their children.

Debi Keyte-Hartland (UK) expert in the Reggio Emilia Approach, international arts educator, TEDx Speaker and Early Childhood Pedagogical Consultant, shared key insights into ‘Thinking Differently through a 100 Languages’.  Parents were treated to a rare opportunity of seeing the world through a child’s eyes!  They gained a deeper understanding of the plethora of expressive means with which children represent and convey their ideas as they try to comprehend the world in which they live.  Our team of Educators at Redwood also benefited from Debi’s expertise as she delivered inspiring Professional Development Workshops to deepen their knowledge and skills in the approach.

Parents had the opportunity to participate in a lively and engaging Q&A session with both Jesse and Debi, who answered many questions across the topics of schooling, parenting and community projects.  Everyone left feeling very inspired and ‘future ready.’  

We look forward to announcing our next Parenting Seminar soon.

The post Unlocking the Future: Setting the Momentum for Future-Ready Children appeared first on Redwood COE.

Our brand-new children starting, who are eager, tentative, ready to learn and in awe of it all.  We all started out this way and you remind us to begin small and that every achievement is incredible!  

Our returning children, who seem to have grown up so much during the Summer.  Your shoes are bigger and you are suddenly ready to be the biggest ones in the class. You left capable and have returned even more amazing. You remind us to dream big!

These first few weeks of term are often met with a dual mix of excitement and anxiety for children and parents alike.  Separating from parents whether it’s children’s first day or if they are returning can easily leave even the most upbeat child and parent in tears.

Saying good-bye with confidence & calmness

It’s natural for children to have a challenging time with big transitions such as starting nursery.  Anxiety around separation is a normal part of child development and it is important to have realistic expectations around such important transitions.

Even when the drop-offs appear to be going quite seamlessly at the beginning of term, it helps for parents to know that phases of clinginess and reluctance to say good-bye are both normal and to be expected.  We find that many children seem to be doing well with the transition only to experience some anxiety a few weeks into the term.

In both scenarios we advise parents to apply the same principle at drop off: to say goodbye with confidence and calmness.

As parents, the energy we bring will always set the tone and determine how confidently a child will be able to separate from us.  If parents are tense, unsure, or feel scared that the adjustment process is too traumatising then we are signalling to children that separating is in fact something to be fearful of.

Yet, understandably the process is hard on the emotions of parents.  And so parents need to prepare themselves and practice to be better able to support children in the best possible way as they make the separation.

Accept ownership & keep perspective
Take responsibility for the decision you have made to start your child at nursery.  Although the transition may not be seamless you need to remain confident in your decision-making and we will be there to support you. 

Prepare yourself
Try and visualise before-hand the ‘good-bye’ and practice handling the situation in a calm and connected manner.  It may sound strange but it really does work! 

Prepare your child
We feel it is important to prepare your child too.  Talk them through what will happen step by step, so they know what to expect.  It is also important to discuss with children in an age-appropriate manner not only the exciting parts about nursery but also being honest that sometimes it may be a bit hard to say goodbye and you may miss Mommy and Daddy.

Explaining that it is normal to have mixed emotions about new things is beneficial and supportive for every child.  It is all part of the process and big emotions and sometimes changes to children’s behaviour patterns are ultimately the ways in which children release tension and get back to safety and balance.  As adults we are there to hold space for children and support them through the process.

What about the actual good-bye?

When leaving home in the morning and coming to the Center, create a consistent rhythm and some rituals, such as your child carrying their own water bottle, waving hello to Ms Liz at the door and greeting their teacher.  Always say goodbye to your child and reiterate that you will see them later.  Try to be specific in a way that your child will understand – for example, after lunch, after story time and then wave and leave.

At Redwood we will always be honest in our communication and keep you updated on your child.  You are welcome to use our Parent Lounge and our Center Director, Ms Liz, is always on hand for advice and support especially during these early weeks into term.

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Dealing with our own emotions

That first day can be an emotional rollercoaster- whether it’s your first born or your fourth! Your baby is growing up and it can trigger a lot of mixed feelings. New educators caring for your children along with different rhythms and routines- it takes time for us all to adjust.

To help in the start of this new journey in your children’s young life, we have organised plenty of activities and settling-in rhythms for us to get to know you and your children as much as possible as nursery begins.

You will be receiving plenty of information for ahead of time with all the preparation details, what to bring and how we do things differently at Redwood Center of Excellence. We have a fun-filled calendar of memorable events and activities for children and their families to welcome you into our Redwood Community.

We believe it takes a village to raise a child and that is what we are building here at Redwood Center of Excellence.

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