British Orchard Nursery marks UAE graduation milestone with new inclusive education model
Al Freej Nursery celebrates first cohort, rooted in Emirati heritage
DUBAI: British Orchard Nursery (BON), the UAE’s largest and most awarded early childhood education provider, marked a major graduation milestone this season, highlighting its ongoing collaboration with several government bodies.
With more than 1,500 children graduating from 36 branches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah – nearly half from government-affiliated nurseries – the event celebrated the strength of public-private partnerships that continue to shape the country’s early education landscape.
Partnering with entities including Dubai Municipality, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), DEWA, MOHRE, and Mubadala, BON has long supported the UAE’s vision to empower families and foster educational excellence from the earliest stages. Many of these nurseries are based within government offices, providing a seamless work-life balance for employees and promoting productivity by keeping children close.
Launch of BONSAI
This year’s celebrations saw the launch of BONSAI – British Orchard Nursery’s Speciality for Accessibility and Inclusion. The initiative is designed to create inclusive classroom environments where children of determination can learn alongside peers, aided by embedded therapeutic services such as speech, occupational, and applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapy.
Under the guidance of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), children receive targeted support without being separated from mainstream settings. BONSAI also reduces stress on parents by integrating therapy, counselling, and education under one roof – a concept built upon the parenting support platform introduced by BON last year.
Dr Vandana Gandhi, CEO and Founder of British Orchard Nursery, noted, “We are proud to reaffirm our belief that every child, regardless of ability, deserves to grow, learn, and belong at the heart of the classroom.” She added that BONSAI aligns with the UAE’s 2025 Year of Community, reinforcing national values of inclusion and shared responsibility.
Government partnerships
This season marked the 14th graduation ceremony of BON’s Dubai Municipality nursery and the 16th for RTA’s in-house nursery. Commenting on the occasion, Sayed Ismail Al Hashimi, Acting CEO of the Corporate Support Services Sector at Dubai Municipality, stated: “These young graduates represent the future of our city, and it is our responsibility to nurture their potential from the very beginning.”
Other departments also acknowledged the partnership’s positive impact. Ebtesam Al Marzooqi, Senior HR Specialist at Dubai Public Prosecution, celebrated the graduation of their first nursery cohort, praising the support and peace of mind it provides working parents. MOHRE’s Head of Property Management Section, Ms Nada Ahmed Mohammed, also expressed appreciation for BON’s contribution to employee welfare and children’s development.
Cultural roots and innovation
A standout among BON’s recent initiatives is the launch of Al Freej Nursery – the UAE’s first Arabic-Islamic nursery aligned with the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. Developed in partnership with the Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department, the nursery blends heritage and faith-based learning by involving grandmothers in the classroom, Islamic storytelling, and heritage-site visits.
This pioneering model reinforces cultural identity and offers young learners a holistic understanding of Emirati values from an early age. BON also received several appreciation certificates and awards during the graduation season, recognising its role in nurturing well-rounded, culturally connected learners.
With more than 30 national and international quality awards and over 36 branches across the UAE and UK, including 16 run in partnership with government bodies, British Orchard Nursery remains a key contributor to the UAE’s early education ecosystem. Its ongoing investment in teacher training, innovation, and inclusion continues to support the country’s vision for future-ready generations.