After 13 children died in a fire at a nursery school in Doha in May, many people questioned how things could go so badly wrong. And for parents who were in the process of thinking about leaving their child in a nursery for the first time, their fears were inevitably heightened.
However, not all nurseries are the same and parents should make a thorough assessment of the childcare on offer before they put their trust in an establishment.
Here are four key safety features every parent should look for in a nursery so they can go to work confident in the knowledge that their child is in good hands.
The licence
Ask to see the nursery's licence if you can't see it on display. The Ministry of Social Affairs ensures annual safety checks are carried out on nurseries before they renew licences. "This check will include inspecting fire extinguishers, exits, stair safety and the condition of the building," explains Salima El Guanaini, the nursery coordinator at Humpty Dumpty Nursery in Abu Dhabi (www.humptynursery.com). "It's also worth asking when the nursery last had a fire drill. Ideally, all nurseries should carry out a drill at least once a month." Ask the manager if the fire alarms are regularly tested and if they are directly linked to the Fire Department.
Health
If your child bangs his head or has a nose bleed, you want to be sure the staff members are fully trained in first aid. The staff at good nurseries will hold Emergency First Aid Training certificates and stay up to date with health and safety policies and procedures.
While it's impossible to keep all germs and infections out of a nursery, it's important daycare centres are doing everything they can to keep the environment as healthy as possible. Rooms should frequently be aired, cleaned and thoroughly disinfected.
Find out which health guidelines the nursery has in operation. "Each morning, a registered nurse takes and records the temperatures of all children entering each of our four nurseries," says Bernadette King-Turner, the founder and director of Beautiful Minds Nurseries in Dubai (www.beautifulmindsdubai.com). "If a child has a temperature above 37.8°C, we ask the parents to keep them at home."
Although it might not always be convenient, it's best to look for a day nursery with a strict illness policy. The policy will detail which illnesses will keep your children at home, and for how long.
Staff
All nursery staff should hold labour cards and be qualified nursery practitioners. "Criminal checks have to be completed on staff before a labour card can be obtained," explains El Guanaini. You shouldn't be embarrassed to check that your children are in good hands. "At our nurseries, parents should feel free to ask to see a teacher's credentials at any time," says King-Turner.
Enquire about the average age of employees and staff turnover, which will tell you a good deal about the quality of the nursery. Check if there is a key worker system in operation and find out what happens in the absence of your child's usual carer.
While you're touring the nursery, take some time to observe the manager and check whether she appears to possess strong leadership skills and has a hands-on approach.
Security
Investigate how secure the premises are. Some nurseries will alarm the building throughout, including doors and windows. Main access doors should have alarm pads which require access codes in order to gain admittance and visitors to any nursery should be carefully screened and buzzed in by staff before they gain access to the main nursery area. Garden and play areas should be securely fenced to make sure no child leaves the nursery or the grounds.
"We have double child-proof gates and fences," says King-Turner. "The exits on the ground floor have two gates to enhance the security for the children entering and exiting the grounds. Additionally, we post security staff in the nursery car park and at the nursery gates during the busy morning and afternoon times. We also have security cameras strategically positioned throughout the interior and exterior of the nursery."
How to settle a toddler into nursery
- Take her for a visit It's important that you give your child a chance to familiarise herself with the building and the staff before you leave her there. It's perfectly normal for a child to feel shy and scared in a new place and visiting in advance is a great way of getting her accustomed to the nursery. Ideally, schedule in a few short visits before you plan to leave her alone
- Read up There are many "first day at nursery" style books. Make sure you spend time reading through such a book with your child and talk about any fears she may have.
- Inform the staff If the nursery staff know your child's likes and dislikes, what she prefers to eat and drink, whether she needs a nap, how far along she is with potty training and so on, they will be much better equipped to welcome her on her first day.
- Take a toy If your child has a favourite toy or blanket, let her take it with her to help her settle in and feel a connection with home.
- Put on a brave face You might feel like crying, but you can't. As the parent, you need to keep smiling to show that nursery is a great place to be.
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THE BIG MATCH
Arsenal v Manchester City,
Sunday, Emirates Stadium, 6.30pm
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Spare
Profile
Company name: Spare
Started: March 2018
Co-founders: Dalal Alrayes and Saurabh Shah
Based: UAE
Sector: FinTech
Investment: Own savings. Going for first round of fund-raising in March 2019
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
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Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Price: From Dh750k
On sale: via special order
Results
2-15pm: Commercial Bank Of Dubai – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Al Habash, Patrick Cosgrave (jockey), Bhupat Seemar (trainer)
2.45pm: Al Shafar Investment – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Day Approach, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
3.15pm: Dubai Real estate Centre – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Celtic Prince, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
3.45pm: Jebel Ali Sprint by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Khuzaam, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Shadwell – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Tenbury Wells, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Jebel Ali Stakes by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
5.15pm: Jebel Ali Racecourse – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Rougher, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
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