more-rounded

Welcome to
Early Years

We prioritise your child’s journey with exceptional care and dedication

About
EYFS

The British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) philosophy is deeply rooted in fostering holistic development and a love for learning in young children. At GEMS FirstPoint School we emphasise the importance of providing nurturing and stimulating environments where children can thrive and reach their full potential.
 
Through carefully planned experiences we encourage challenge, risk-taking, and problem-solving as essential components of children's learning. By providing opportunities for children to encounter manageable challenges and make decisions, our skilled staff support the development of resilience, perseverance, and critical thinking skills.
 
In the Foundation Stage at GEMS FirstPoint School, our child-centered approach prioritises the individual needs and interests of each child, while also recognising the importance of fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment. Through this approach, children are empowered to become confident, curious, and lifelong learners.

Welcome from our

Assistant Head Teacher

I am delighted to welcome you to GEMS FirstPoint School and, specifically, to our vibrant and nurturing Foundation Stage department. We are committed to creating a thriving environment where every child feels valued, inspired, and supported as they embark on their learning journey.

At the heart of our approach is a deep commitment to fostering a love for learning in all our students. At GEMS FirstPoint School we believe that education should be an exciting and enriching adventure, where curiosity is celebrated, and every question is encouraged. Our dedicated team of teachers and staff work to create an atmosphere where children feel safe to explore, take risks, and grow. We place a strong emphasis on building kindness and empathy, helping children develop strong social and emotional skills.

Our nurturing approach ensures that each child feels understood and supported, and that they understand the importance of caring for one another. In our Foundation Stage, we encourage risk-taking and problem-solving, empowering children to think critically, try new things, and embrace challenges. We celebrate each step of their development, knowing that these early experiences lay the foundation for lifelong learning and resilience. I look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful Foundation Stage.

Claire Nami – Assistant Head Teacher

Wellbeing

At GEMS FirstPoint School, we strongly believe that teaching kindness, empathy, patience, and resilience to early years children is foundational to their social and emotional development. Young children learn by example, so through our highly skilled Foundation Stage staff modeling positive behaviour, promoting kindness, empathy, patience, and resilience in all their interactions with others, children understand how to apply them in their own lives.

We spend time teaching children how to resolve conflicts peacefully and respectfully promoting empathy and kindness. Providing opportunities for children to build positive relationships with peers and adults fosters empathy, kindness, and resilience. Collaborative activities, group projects, and cooperative play encourage teamwork and communication skills while reinforcing the importance of empathy and kindness in building strong relationships.

Desert School

Desert school offers a wide range of benefits for children's development and education. The Desert School at GEMS FirstPoint School provides children with the opportunity to connect with the natural world, fostering an appreciation for the environment. Spending time outdoors can improve children's wellbeing and mental health, reduce stress levels, and promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Our Desert School offers a dynamic and diverse learning environment that allows children to thrive outside the traditional classroom setting. 

Our carefully planned and thoughtfully resourced outdoor learning environment supports holistic development by engaging children's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional skills. Activities such as exploring the natural environment, investigating a range of living things and engaging in problem solving activities help our students to develop scientific literacy, empathy, spatial awareness, and sensory abilities. 

Our students from FS1 to Year 2 are encouraged to think critically as they observe, explore, and make sense of their surroundings in Desert School. Activities such as identifying and researching plant and animal species, and analysing environmental patterns promote inquiry-based learning and scientific inquiry.

Our resident tortoise is always a hit with our young learners! 

Physical Education

At GEMS FirstPoint School children in the Early Years have Physical Education (PE) and swimming as part of their weekly routine. These activities are beneficial for their physical, emotional, and social development. During PE the children learn to follow instructions, balancing skills and ball skills throughout the year. In swimming the children learn the importance of water safety and begin to build strength and muscle memory needed for early swimming skills. These activities not only keep children active but also set the foundation for a safe and healthy lifestyle as they grow older.

Student Leadership

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), student leadership opportunities are important for building confidence, responsibility, and social skills. Although the role of leadership at this stage may not be as formal as in later school years, there are still plenty of ways young children can develop leadership qualities.

There are daily opportunities for the children to help in the classroom as well as our Mini ELT who meet monthly to support the development of their department. By providing these early leadership opportunities, children develop a sense of responsibility, communication skills, and teamwork that will serve them well as they progress in their education. 

frequently asked
questions

DO I PROVIDE FOOD FOR MY CHILD?

There are 2 options for this. Either you can provide a healthy snack and lunch from home or there is the option to order weekly from our school catering provider. We can share the menu link so you can choose and pay online based on the menu for that week. We are a healthy eating school and have a no nut and no pork policy.

DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BE TOILET TRAINED TO JOIN THE FOUNDATION STAGE AT GEMS FIRSTPOINT SCHOOL?

Your child does not need to be toilet trained for our Nursery and we will support your child and your family with potty training. For FS1 your child does need to be toilet trained. We appreciate children have accidents occasionally when they are busy playing and that is fine, we will help to change them into clean, fresh spare clothes provided from home. We have a toileting policy for frequent accidents which is shared ahead of your child starting at GEMS FirstPoint school.

HOW DO I KNOW HOW MY CHILD IS GETTING ON IN SCHOOL?

At GEMS FirstPoint School we have an open-door policy so you can speak to your child’s class teacher at pick up and drop off, you have their direct email address, and arrange a face to face meeting or request a phone call within school hours. We also use an online learning journey, Arc Pathways, which is a way to share photographs and videos as well as a clear and concise assessment tracking tool for full transparency of your children progress and development across the seven areas of the EYFS curriculum. We encourage parents to add to this too so we can see achievements from home as well to get a complete insight into your child’s development and application of skills. We share a report termly and also offer parent meetings each term to discuss your child’s learning and progress.

IS THERE A BUS SERVICE AVAILABLE FOR NURSERY AND FS?

Students from Nursery have access to the School Transport Service.

Foundation Stage bus services arrive in time for the start of the school day and leave campus at either 12:00pm or 3pm.

On Fridays all bus services leave at 12pm. Our Teaching Assistants and Bus Conductors accompany children to and from the bus daily, ensuring there is always an adult-to-adult handover.

CCTV, GPS tracking, live updates and ‘sleeping child’ checks are some of the key safety features on board our STS buses. Five-point harness car seats can be rented or provided by yourselves to ensure maximum safety whilst traveling to and from Nursery

Blogs
highlights

Mar
2025
WHAT IS PLAY BASED LEARNING AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT?

Play-based learning is at the heart of early childhood education, particularly within the British curriculum, where the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework prioritises holistic development through exploration and discovery.

Read More
Mar
2025
POTTY TRAINING TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR BIG SCHOOL

To ensure a smooth transition to big school, potty training is an essential skill your child needs to master. British curriculum schools, such as GEMS FirstPoint in Dubailand, place emphasis on independence, and being potty trained sets a solid foundation for confidence in the classroom.

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Mar
2025
CHOOSING YOUR FIRST SCHOOL IN DUBAI: EMPOWERING LIFELONG LEARNERS

Developing a love for reading during the early years sets the stage for lifelong learning and success. Within the British curriculum Foundation Stage, fostering a positive relationship with books is a key focus, and parents play a vital role in nurturing this at home.

Read More

school admissions
NURSERY – YEAR 13

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