Three novel and interesting programmes have been introduced by Kidville University, a leading preschool nursery in Dubai for the benefit of students who are enrolled in the school. Titled Kidville University Prep, KVU and Grad, they comprise its social preschool alternative programme through which children are assisted in practising and observing language-based interactions with each other as well as with adults in a positive manner so that their needs in all areas of development are met.

The Kidville University Prep is for children between the ages of 1 ½ and two years. Its goal is to gradually prepare children for a more independent life in a classroom setting with their peers, away from their family members - parents or caregivers - who are allowed to stay with them in the classroom in the Prep stage. The children learn to explore and play with each other during a morning filled with activities and excitement. Emphasis is laid on the physical, psychological, social and artistic development of each student.

A day's activities generally comprise Welcome Time with a variety of toys, puzzles and manipulative games; Circle Time where the teacher gathers the class into a circle to introduce a weekly theme through stories, toys and building of blocks; Art and Exploration where The children learn to paint, collaging and sensory play; Music where Kidville musicians and the children have a sing-along; Snack Time and Gym Time where structured group games and Tumble Trak play comprise the major activities.

KVU, the preschool nursery in Dubai's Preschool Alternative programme, is designed for children who are two and three years old. It's here that children receive their first 'school' experience with consideration given to issues of separation which may affect both children and parents. Thus, each family will be individually tackled to make this process smooth and pain-free for all. A 1:4 teacher-child ratio is maintained so that individual attention can be given to each student.

Parents start leaving the children at the preschool instead of joining them in class. The book corner; using play dough; playing in groups with table toys; art and science activities such as Oobleck, water mills, and Magna Tiles; and stretch activities in the gym are some of the novel items on the programme.

Grad is for children in the age group of three to 4.2 years. The programmes are drawn to guide the students in a developmentally appropriate setting so that they are ready to commence prekindergarten. A class is restricted to three hours with the inclusion of 30 minutes spent in the gym. One of the main ideas of this programme is to allow children to recognise and familiarise themselves with the day's structure so that they will learn to look forward to the next activity in the schedule.

The writing table, letters/numbers table and building centre manipulatives; group discussions about the day's structure, calendar and the weather using a storyboard made of felt; additional play items such as the painting easel and a sand/water table; yoga and using musical instruments; developing sports and gymnastics skills; themed art or sensory projects which explore different media such as paints, clay and collage objects; reading time; individual and group experiments in science and mathematics which explore cause and effect, classification etc. are included in the programme while introduction to Spanish once a week is also on the agenda.

Since the age of enrolment and availability of these programmes may differ based on location and semester, it would be helpful for parents to check with the respective Kidville branch in their area for enrolments. Kidville, the preschool nursery in Dubai, has three branches - Marina, Jumeirah and Uptown Mirdiff. The leading preschool chain also has its presence in North America - in the United States and Canada.