Abu Dhabi to open 15 new private nurseries

Fifteen new private nurseries have been licensed to open across Abu Dhabi, including in Al Ain and Al Dhafra. The new institutions will provide 1,250 places for the emirate's youngest generation.

Abu Dhabi's Department of Education and Knowledge assessed each application to make sure fees were reasonable and transparent, Abu Dhabi Media Office reported. Authorities looked at operational costs including rent, as well as staffing expenses and investment in safety and educational material such as books.

The emirate has 225 private nurseries that provide 27,791 places.

Last week, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority announced it was to introduce a new assessment to improve the quality of services for young children beyond nursery and school.

The system will look at programmes including camps, after-school classes, libraries and playgrounds, as well as children’s museums and cultural centres with spaces for young people.

The initiative, launched in the run up to Emirati Children's Day, which falls on March 15 every year, will focus on children up to age eight. There are plans to expand the system to include services for children up to age 18.

The assessment will be based on global leading practices, but it is to be customised to the UAE’s culture and values.

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Grubtech

Founders: Mohamed Al Fayed and Mohammed Hammedi

Launched: October 2019

Employees: 50

Financing stage: Seed round (raised $2 million)

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.	United States
2.	China
3.	UAE
4.	Japan
5	Norway
6.	Canada
7.	Singapore
8.	Australia
9.	Saudi Arabia
10.	South Korea

Continental champions

Best Asian Player: Massaki Todokoro (Japan)

Best European Player: Adam Wardzinski (Poland)

Best North & Central American Player: DJ Jackson (United States)

Best African Player: Walter Dos Santos (Angola)

Best Oceanian Player: Lee Ting (Australia)

Best South American Player: Gabriel De Sousa (Brazil)

Best Asian Federation: Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation

Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com