FOUNDATION STAGE | THE ARBOR SCHOOL DUBAI
Learning at Arbor
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A unique start to school
At Arbor, children begin their education through purposeful play, thoughtful teaching and close contact with the natural world.
Our Foundation Stage provides a secure and engaging introduction to school, where children feel known, supported and ready to participate. Through first-hand experiences, they begin to understand themselves, one another and the world around them.
Learning takes place across our living campus. Children move between carefully designed classrooms, outdoor learning environments, the Curiosity Garden, climate-controlled biodomes and specialist spaces for music, movement, art and food technology. These different settings encourage them to observe, investigate, communicate and make connections between their experiences.
Our approach follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and is shaped by Arbor’s focus on ecoliteracy and inquiry. Children’s interests, questions and ideas inform their learning, while experienced teachers carefully plan opportunities for progress across all seven areas of learning.
Throughout FS1 and FS2, children develop the communication, physical, personal and social skills that underpin later learning. As they move through FS2, they also build increasingly secure foundations in reading, writing and mathematics, supporting their transition into Year 1.
Explore the Foundation Stage curriculum
Walking into Arbor is like walking into a second home, the staff are so friendly and kind! The atmosphere is so relaxed and welcoming, it really is just a fantastic environment to raise children in. I’m so grateful for such a space that my child can grow and flourish in. - FS1 parent
WHY CHOOSE US?
- The Early Years Foundation Stage framework, encompassing all seven areas of learning
- A play-based, inquiry-led approach informed by children’s questions and interests
- Daily opportunities to learn indoors and outdoors
- Purpose-designed Foundation Stage classrooms and outdoor environments
- Access to Arbor’s biodomes, learning gardens, Curiosity Garden and specialist facilities
- Experienced Foundation Stage teachers supported by skilled teaching assistants
- Specialist teaching in ecoliteracy, Arabic, music, Physical Education and swimming
- Carefully planned support for each child’s learning, wellbeing and development
- Freshly prepared optional snacks and lunches from The Farmhouse
- After-school care through the Foundation Stage Seedling Club
Ecoliteracy shapes how children learn at Arbor from their earliest days in school. It helps them recognise relationships between people, places and the natural world, ask questions about what they observe and begin to understand that their choices have consequences.
These ideas are made tangible through everyday experiences: growing and preparing food, observing living things in the biodomes, exploring natural materials and considering how to care for shared spaces.
Ecoliteracy is not taught as an isolated topic. It provides a way for children to investigate the world, connect different areas of learning and participate thoughtfully in their community.
- School hours: 8:00am–1:30pm, Monday to Thursday; 8:00am–11:30am on Friday
- Arrival: The school site opens at 7:30am and classrooms open at 7:45am. Registration begins promptly at 8:00am.
- School transport: Arbor partners with STS to provide school transport that complies with KHDA and RTA regulations.
- Snack and lunch: Children have a snack and lunch each day. Families may provide food from home, order through The Farmhouse or combine both options.
- After-school care: Seedling Club provides supervised childcare from 1:30pm-4:20pm, Monday to Thursday.
- After-school activities: Additional activities are available throughout the year, with programmes, timings and fees shared with families.
Visit our Foundation Stage to see how play, direct teaching, outdoor experiences and the natural world come together across our living campus.
