Early Childhood Centre (ECC)
Early Childhood Centre (ECC) Ages 12 months up to 3 years | Opening August 2026
The Early Childhood Centre at Ambassador International Academy Mankhool will provide a nurturing and joyful first step into learning for our youngest learners. Designed for children aged 12 months up to 3 years, the ECC will focus on building confidence, curiosity, and a strong sense of security during the most critical stage of early development.
Because the first years shape everything.
Through play-based exploration, sensory experiences, and meaningful interactions with educators, children will begin developing early communication, social, and motor skills in a warm and stimulating environment.
Our learning spaces are thoughtfully designed to encourage discovery, independence, and creativity. Children will be supported by qualified, caring educators who understand the importance of strong relationships, routines, and emotional well-being in the early years.
The Early Childhood Centre will also support a smooth transition into Pre-KG, helping children become familiar with the school environment and routines while building the confidence and skills needed for their next stage of learning.
At AIA Mankhool, we believe the earliest years lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
Hours Toddler hours: 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Optional extended care until 6:00 PM
Our Approach: Positive. Purposeful. Planned.
Everything we do in the ECC is guided by our 3 Ps for Play:
- Positive: Emotional safety and joy are the foundations for all learning.
- Purposeful: Every moment matters.
- Planned: Guided by our skilled educators.
Our ECC welcomes children into a beautifully designed environment where play, care, and learning work together every day.
Signature Experiences
The ECC at AIA Mankhool is built around experiences that go beyond routine care. Every programme is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and create memories that stay with children long after the day ends.
Immersive stories and mystery readers that plant the seeds of a lifelong love of reading and language.
A bespoke outdoor environment designed for children aged 12 months to 3 years, where exploration and discovery nurture awe, wonder, and confident thinking.
Specialist-led sessions in coordination, rhythm, and creative expression that get little bodies and minds moving.
Guided water exploration with parents, building confidence through movement and sensory play.
A Day in the Life
Wonder, structure, rest, connection: foundations for confident early learners.
Morning arrival will be a gentle transition, with educators greeting each child individually and helping them settle into the rhythm of the day. Children will choose from carefully prepared activities that invite exploration: perhaps investigating natural materials at the sensory table, constructing with blocks, or paging through picture books in a quiet corner.
Circle time will bring the group together for songs, stories, and conversation. Educators will introduce new vocabulary and concepts through engaging, interactive experiences that capture young attention spans. Snack time will be both social and instructional, as children practise independence, manners, and balanced eating habits.
Outdoor exploration and play are essential, not optional. Our youngest learners are given the space to run, climb, and experience the natural world. Whether digging in sand, navigating balance equipment, or simply observing clouds, these moments build physical confidence and sensory awareness.
Rest time offers a chance to recharge, with cosy spaces for children who need sleep and calm, gentle activities for others. The afternoon continues with art experiences, music and movement, and more opportunities for child-led engagement before a calm, connected dismissal.
Why Families Choose Us
- Natural materials and purpose-built spaces
- Primary Educator relationships – one consistent, trusted adult for every child
- Specialist teaching in PE, Music, and Arabic
- SENCo and Inclusion support – every child accesses the full richness of our Early Childhood offer
- Limited places. Intentionally small class sizes.
"We prioritise connection. A child who feels safe and understood is free to explore, learn, and flourish."
We are assembling an early years team that combines professional expertise with genuine warmth. Our educators understand that trust precedes learning – you cannot teach a child who does not feel safe. Each educator will take time to know every unique child individually: their preferences, their fears, their emerging capabilities.
A primary educator will be assigned to each child, ensuring consistency and a deep relationship. This educator will track developmental progress, communicate with families, and offer a consistent, supportive presence as the child discovers and learns.
Patricia Ferguson | Founding Head of Early Years 15 Years | 3 Continents | Global Early Years Expertise
Spaces That Speak
The ECC environment is considered the third teacher and is intentionally designed to communicate possibility. Low, open shelving allows children to see, select, and engage with materials independently. Natural light, plants, and textures create calm and comfort. Defined areas for active, quiet, creative, and social engagement help children regulate their energy and focus.
Our outdoor space is an extension of the classroom, not a separate experience. It offers challenge, sensory variety, and a rich connection to the natural world – where children can observe and interact with weather, seasons, and living things.
At AIA Mankhool, we operate on the understanding that families are the first and most important educators. Our role is to complement and extend the nurturing provided at home.
We value your insight into your child – their personality, sleep patterns, interests, behaviours, and family context. Sharing this knowledge helps us provide truly personalised support.
Toddle Platform
Regular updates capturing magical moments from your child's day, keeping you connected to their world even when you are apart.
Monthly Consultations
Clear insight, agreed next steps, and genuine home–ECC collaboration.
Daily Communication
Daily exchanges at arrival and dismissal to keep communication open and consistent.
Settling In
We understand that starting at the Early Childhood Centre is a significant moment – for your child and for you. We honour this with a gradual, individualised settling-in process. Initial visits with a parent, shorter sessions building to full days, and patient responsiveness to each child's emotional readiness will ensure that when your child is with us, they feel genuinely safe, secure, and ready to engage.
The Path to Pre-KG
By the time children transition from the ECC, they will be familiar with the school environment, comfortable with routines, and confident in their ability to learn alongside peers. Transition to Pre-KG will feel familiar and naturally progressive – a continuation rather than a new beginning.
Is my child ready for Pre-KG? AIA Mankhool follows the UAE's December 31 age cut-off. Children who turn 3 years old on or before December 31 of the enrolment year are eligible to join Pre-KG (FS1) that August. If you are unsure whether your child is ready for the next step, our Admissions team is happy to guide you through the process.
- Early Childhood Centre (ECC) Fees
| Timings | 5 Days | 4 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short Day 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
AED 35,000 | AED 32,000 | AED 29,000 | AED 27,000 |
| Mid Day 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
AED 39,000 | AED 37,000 | AED 35,000 | AED 32,000 |
| Full Day 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
AED 45,000 | AED 42,000 | AED 39,000 | AED 35,000 |
| Extended Day 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
AED 49,000 | AED 46,000 | AED 43,000 | AED 39,000 |
The fees outlined above are effective for the 2026–2027 Academic Year and are subject to periodic review.
Register Your Interest
We warmly invite you to register your interest in the Early Childhood Centre and be among the first families to join AIA Mankhool when we open in August 2026. Places are limited – we encourage early registration.
+971 54 203 3333
Ambassador International Academy, 27 35A St – Al Mankhool, Dubai
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