A leading Dubai nursery group is gearing up to resume operations for the first time in seven months after completing rigorous Covid-19 safety preparations.
More than 330 staff and hundreds more children are awaiting final government approval before they can walk through the doors of 23 British Orchard Nurseries in the emirate once more.
Places of learning across the country shut down in March as part of efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Schools and universities have gradually reopened in recent weeks, with many adopting blended learning models catering for learners both in class and those studying remotely.
To not see the smiles on the children's faces has been really hard for everyone
The Ministry of Education and the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority announced nurseries could reopen in August, but not all have been able to meet strict new criteria.
The costs involved under the new guidelines are considerable, but British Orchard Nursery chief executive and founder Dr Vandana Gandhi said staff are just happy to go back to work.
“No one has been spared by the pandemic so the impact has been hard on us, like many others,” she said.
“The government training for thousands of staff across the country to enable them to get back to work has been exceptional.
“There has been a financial impact and on the well-being of the young.
“We are still not out of this pandemic, but all our plans have been approved so we are hopeful of reopening all our nurseries once the final inspections have been completed over the next few days.”
Protective bubbles for up to 10 children and three staff will help keep those inside safe, while emergency protocols have been established in case anyone show symptoms of Covid-19.
It is part of a series of measures nurseries must follow if they plan to reopen for business.
“It has been a lot for the staff to deal with, the training has been quite intensive and extensive changes have been made to all hygiene, staff and child attendance procedures,” said Emma Addy, a business support manager at the British Orchard Nursery.
“Our staff love being around children, so they are eager to get back to work.
“To not hear the chatter, noise and see the smiles on the children’s faces has been really hard for everyone.”
Nurseries taking strong steps to keep children safe
About 200 children would usually attend the nursery in Dubai Silicon Oasis.
That has been slashed to less than 100 under capacity restrictions limiting the intake to just 50 per cent.
Getting young children back into nurseries at a young age is seen as crucial to their development, and parents have been reassured all has been done to ensure they return to a safe environment.
Nurseries must follow a strict government-approved reopening plan that must be signed off after a final inspection before children are allowed back inside.
Regulations include compulsory temperature checks on arrival, different entry and exit points for different age groups and staggered start times.
Toys and play equipment have been kept to a minimum to reduce contamination risk and some rooms will not be used for play.
A sparse room with just a bed and chair inside one former play area now serves as an isolation room for children suspected of carrying the virus.
“If a child shows symptoms during the day, the nurse must remain with them, along with a member of staff from their bubble,” said Ms Addy, 41.
“It is why we must have three staff members inside each bubble.
“After the child has left, the room is sanitised and the staff member must leave the nursery to sanitise.”
If the child tests positive for the virus, all other children and staff within the bubble must also be removed from the nursery and tested for covid.
If there is more than one positive case, the nursery will be closed temporarily as a precaution.
Inside the nursery clinic, a Dubai Health Authority nurse and health and safety officer is responsible for daily health screenings of all staff and children.
Parents are no longer allowed to tour the nursery with all transactions paperless.
A sanitising mist machine cleans the building and its contents daily, and cleaners must use disposable tissues rather than cloths to wipe down toys and surfaces.
All staff members will be tested for Covid-19 before the nursery opening and then regularly tested every fortnight.
The company has two centres in the UK, in Oxford and Bicester, where 30 staff remained at work throughout the pandemic, with no closures.
Managers there exchanged successful lessons to ensure nurseries can now stay open in the UAE.
“Using bubbles in the nursery is a proven method of protecting children and letting them get back to seeing their friends and teachers again,” said Dr Gandhi.
“We know it is an important time for a child’s development, so parents should be reassured we are doing all we can to ensure that continues.
“Children need stimulation in a nursery environment with their peers - getting them back will only improve their development.”
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
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Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
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Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
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The specs
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Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
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On sale: now
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Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
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Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
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Investment raised: $4 million
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Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
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1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
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Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Profile of Udrive
Date started: March 2016
Founder: Hasib Khan
Based: Dubai
Employees: 40
Amount raised (to date): $3.25m – $750,000 seed funding in 2017 and a Seed round of $2.5m last year. Raised $1.3m from Eureeca investors in January 2021 as part of a Series A round with a $5m target.
