GEMS EducationP.O. Box 8607, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Phone: +971 4 347 7770, Email: gma@gemseducation.com

Web: www.littlegemsinternational.com/safa, www.gemseducation.com

Welcome to Little GEMS International (LGI) pre-schools.

Every stage in education is important, but it has been scientifically proven that early childhood is the ‘most important’ as it is here that the foundations are laid down for future learning and success. Research evidence has shown that children who experience high quality early childhood education, such as that provided by Little GEMS International, significantly improve their progress in school and beyond.

Our team of world renowned educationalists has spent over thirty years researching how the brain functions in relation to early childhood development. The Little GEMS International approach is successful because we have designed a programme which is firmly based on published, scientific and educational research.

Little GEMS International pre-schools began in one of our GEMS schools in England. We cater for children from three months of ageto the start of school. Our approach is based upon four pillars: quality care, quality education, quality staff and partnership withparents and the community.

We blend the English Foundation Stage Curriculum with unique, specially written Little GEMS International programmes designed to enable children to flourish academically, personally, socially and emotionally.

Our Little GEMS International staff are highly trained, skilled and passionate about Early Years Education. They know how important it is to work in partnership with parents and for young children to have secure attachments with people who care about them and who want the best for them.

Little GEMS International children are given priority admission into our award winning GEMS schools.

Choosing Little GEMS International means that as well as being safe and happy, each child has a head start to his or her education and life. 1

QualityEducation

QualityStaff

QualityCare

Partnershipwith Parents and

Community

GEMS Education – a long term commitment to quality education

Little GEMS International pre-schools are part of GEMS Education,

the world’s largest provider of private education. With over 50

years of experience, GEMS Education has a global network of award

winning schools providing a high quality, holistic education to over

100,000 students from 151 countries.

We believe that a quality education is preparation for life: ‘Ad vitam

paramus’. The GEMS approach to learning is one which focuses both

on academic excellence and on helping students to develop

character, creativity, personal leadership and the spirit of enterprise

necessary for them to achieve their full potential as global citizens

and leaders of the future.

All of our schools significantly exceed national and international benchmarks in student outcomes. In the last ten years, GEMS students have won over 300 international and regional awards for academics, sports and the arts. During the last three years, GEMS students have been accepted into 567 universities in 36 countries. These include 12 out of the top 15 universities in the world and 36 of the top universities in the U.S.A.

GEMS values-driven education is expressed through our core values

of World Citizenship, Universal Values, Leadership and Forward

Thinking. They are woven into every curricula offered by GEMS

schools and are at the core of our DNA. Through our values and

corporate social responsibility initiatives our students become

confident, tolerant, resilient people of integrity, capable of both

leadership and compassion.

GEMS employs over 10,000 education professionals, specialists and

staff from 62 countries.

We have selected school leaders from around the world who have

excelled in educational reform, school leadership, curriculum

development and effective teaching and learning practices.

GEMS Education is supported by a network of eminent, international

advisers which include world leaders and experts. GEMS Education is

proud of its strategic partnerships which include the Clinton Global

Initiative, the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, the World Economic

Forum and Microsoft.

GEMS is also leading the world by becoming the first educational

organisation of its type to introduce a parent engagement strategy

into all of its schools. When parents are engaged, children achieve

better grades, have fewer discipline problems and are more likely to

be successful in their lives. Research indicates that a parent who is

actively and consistently engaged with his or her child at home can

add the equivalent of two years of extra additional education over a

school career.

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Why the “GEMS” name?The GEMS name and logo reflect our belief that every child is precious and unique, eager to learn and develop to his or her potential.

We value and nurture our children by providing individual care and attention.

We re-enforce that each child:

• has special talents and abilities; • has limitless potential; • is unique -there is no other child exactly the same in the entire world.

We value parents’ trust in allowing us to provide the education and care that will enable their children to grow, learn and be ready for a bright future.

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Stepping Stones to SuccessEach stage provides a warm, caring and welcoming environment which meets the children’s individual needs, and is named after a gemstone.

Diamonds may be part of school or may be included in a stand-alone LGI.

GEM Gemstone Meanings Age Range

Rubies A symbol of friendship, love and vitality.

Amethysts Creates clarity of thought and assists in attaining wisdom.

Diamonds (Reception/FS2)

Diamonds Plus(Year 1)

Emeralds(FS1)

Sapphires Associated with peace and happiness. Believed to help with communication, insight, intuition and inspiration.

3 months to 1 year

1 year to 2 years

September following4th birthday

September following5th birthday

3 years to 4 years

2 years to 3 years

Diamonds are a symbol of love and harmony.

Promotes self-knowledge, peaceful dreams, and helps you

Many believe that diamonds provide clarity of thought and lead to abundance.

Little GEMS International Extended Provision

We cater to the needs of families by providing an extended day and year.Little GEMS International is open 5 days per week, 48 weeks per year.

Children look forward to coming every day to experience fun, excitingand inspirational learning.

Parents can relax knowing that their children are in the best possible settingfor their learning, development and all round happiness.

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Our Learning Environment Little GEMS International settings are designed to the highest levels of safety and security.

Routines, comfortable sleep and rest areas and a healthy approach to food and nutrition ensure that children are provided with the key elements needed for healthy growth and development.

Natural colours and textures are combined with equipment designed to encourage enquiry, experimentation, imagination and creativity.

The Little GEMS International digi learning programme provides an exciting and appropriate introduction to information communication technology.

Creative and stimulating physical and outdoor play areas enable children to develop their gross and fine motor skills.

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Little GEMS International Curriculum

The Little GEMS International curriculum uses the English Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum as a framework combining it with the GEMS Core values and specially written Little GEMS International programmes designed to promote cognitive development through movement, music, world languages and digi learning.

Half termly topics are planned to include the following areas of learning:

• personal, social and emotional development: supporting children to have confidence and the ability to form positive relationships;

• physical development: helping children to understand the importance of physical activity and making healthy choices; providing opportunities for the development of balance, coordination and control;

• communication, language and literacy: providing opportunities for children to listen and express themselves in a range of situations; supporting children to read and write with confidence;

• mathematics: providing children with opportunities to explore and practically solve problems applying and developing their skills in counting, using addition/subtraction; multiplication/division; shape, space and measure;

• understanding the world: providing opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment;

• expressive arts and design: enabling children to explore their ideas and feelings using a variety of media and materials; providing a range of activities in art, music, dance, role-play and design technology.

Continuous assessment ensures that the learning journey of each child is closely tracked and monitored. We ensure that there is challenge for the more able and provision for children with additional needs.

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Little GEMS International Unique Approach to Learning Our approach is a combination of direct teaching and plan, explore and review.

Activities are planned from the Little GEMS curriculum using high quality resources including ICT. Children’s learning is skilfully supported taking into account the need to provide challenge and hands on experiences. Staff enable children to ‘SPARKLE’ by providing sensory, physical, auditory, real, kinaesthetic learning experiences.

Positive behaviour is encouraged through our golden rules:

• be gentle • look after property • be kind and helpful • always try your best • listen to others • be honest

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Highly Trained and Caring Staff Our staff are carefully selected and trained in all aspects of the Little GEMS International method including welfare and safeguarding. They provide excellent role models for children’s language learning and work together as a team to ensure that the progress of each child is carefully planned, assessed and monitored.

Each child has a key person who is responsible for his or her all round well being. The key person is particularly responsible for ensuring that there is effective two-way communication with parents.

We continually provide staff with up-to-date information, support and training in order that Little GEMS International settings stay at the forefront of pre-school provision.

Regular inspections by GEMS senior staff ensure that our high standards are met with regard to security, health and safety, the curriculum, teaching and learning, assessment and the care of our children.

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Partnership with Parents Central to our philosophy is enhancing children’s learning and progress through working in partnership with parents and carers.

This includes daily opportunities for parents to personally or electronically share their child’s needs and development with staff. There are also more formal consultations and opportunities to attend open days and performances.

The LGI ‘Nurture Programme’ provides a range of seminars including ways in which parents and carers can engage with children in order to support their learning and development.

Our quality educational programmes, individual care, highly trained staff and partnership with parents gives each child the best start to his or her education.

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GEMS four core values are unique to GEMS, and are part of the planned curriculum. They are woven into every element of school life from the Rubies through to the Diamonds.

World Citizenship Empowering pupils with a global and local perspective.

Children learn about the world and the people in it from an early age, developing an awareness of different cultures, languages and countries. Through exploration, they become more socially, culturally, economically and environmentally aware, which better prepares them to adopt a global perspective and make a difference in the global community.

Universal Values Accepting that we are all different, recognising that we are all the same.

Our Universal Values Programme helps children to develop the values, principles and ethics that are respected, admired and accepted in all cultures around the world. Children are taught healthy social attitudes and a spirit of humanity, providing the ethical foundations and social skills to guide them through life.

A variety of activities and experiences based on an understanding of universal values teaches children to make positive contributions to others, their schools and the community.

Leadership Developing each student’s individuality and entrepreneurial spirit in order to discover their potential.

Our educational programmes encourage children to explore and question; seek solutions; make informed decisions; solve problems; demonstrate tenacity and to express themselves confidently.

Forward Thinking Excelling in the present and shaping the future.

Our educational programmes help children to become flexible thinkers who are able to question, adapt and creatively meet any challenge.

Opportunities are provided to develop Information and Communications Technology skills enabling children to expand their horizons through enquiry, exploration and decision making.

GEMS Core Values