Academic Program
Curriculum
EFI Al Jabr – Nursery delivers the French National Curriculum – Cycle 1 (Kindergarten Program, MENJ 2021, consolidated 2023; Official Journal n°25 of June 22, 2023), in perfect alignment with the KHDA’s ECCE regulatory framework. Our educational offer ranges from the nursery (1–2 years old) to TPS, PS, MS, and GS classes (2–6 years old), ensuring educational continuity from early childhood to preparation for entry into CP (First Grade). The program incorporates the latest adjustments from the MENJ (2025). The 2025 Cycle 1 programs place language at the heart of learning, as it is the key to all future discoveries. Each child is encouraged to develop autonomy and a sense of cooperation, to grow with confidence and in harmony with others. Early environmental awareness introduces them to taking care of the planet from a very young age. True to our commitment to your children’s well-being, we assert a screen-free environment. In line with current health recommendations, we believe that discovering the world must be, above all, hands-on and interactive. As a Responsible Human Tech school, we protect our students’ waking hours to foster their concentration and creativity.
Educational structure
The program is structured around the five learning domains of Cycle 1:
- Physical & Motor Skills
- Language & Communication
- Social-Emotional Well-being
- World Discovery
- Creative Expression
Teaching is immersive and play-based, balancing structured, stimulating activities with opportunities for free exploration.
Development Pathway by Age
Each age group follows a structured developmental pathway:
- Nursery (Crèche): Secure attachment, sensory and motor exploration, initial language exposure.
- TPS (Toute Petite Section): Symbolic play and acquisition of first vocabulary.
- PS (Petite Section): Development of collaborative reasoning.
- MS (Moyenne Section): Preparation for reading, writing, and numeracy.
- MS (Moyenne Section): Preparation for reading, writing, and numeracy.
Multilingualism and Culture
French is the main language of instruction, observation and evaluation. Arabic is integrated daily through routines and projects that forge national identity, in accordance with the KHDA's Arabic language policy (Phase 1), with an exposure of at least one-third of the school time from PS to GS. English is used selectively to encourage international openness. UAE culture is omnipresent through Emirati tales, charity projects related to Ramadan, and National Day celebrations. Finally, inclusive accessibility is guaranteed by the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), as well as the implementation of personalized support plans (ILSP and PLP).
A programme built around each child, from day one
French National Curriculum Cycle 1 · KHDA Accredited · From 1 to 6 years old
At EFI Al Jabr Early Child Care, learning is never improvised — it is built day by day through
play, curiosity, and confidence. Our programme is based on the French National Curriculum –
Cycle 1 (MENJ 2023), fully aligned with ECCE framework requirements.
Language lies at the heart of our approach.
Each day is designed to support your child in
developing vocabulary, independence, and cooperation within a caring, screen-free
environment, rooted in the culture of the UAE.
French
Early childhood
ECCE Regulatory Framework
Screen-free
Multilingual:
Teaching at EFI Al Jabr Early Child Care is immersive and play-based. We alternate between structured, stimulating activities and free exploration time, as each child has their own rhythm, way of learning, and sense of wonder.
Early environmental awareness also helps children develop a sense of responsibility and care for their surroundings from a very young age.
1. Mobilizing language in all its dimensions:
A key priority of preschool, focusing on oral language and early literacy, to help children communicate, think, and grow together through every activity.
Acting, expressing oneself, understanding through physical activity:
A daily session designed to meet children’s need for movement, develop their physical abilities, foster enjoyment of effort, and build spatial awareness.
Acting, expressing oneself, understanding through artistic activities:
An introduction to artistic expression and emotional awareness through three main areas: visual arts, sound arts, and performing arts.
Building the first tools to structure one's thinking:
A playful introduction to mathematics and logical thinking, helping children organise their reasoning through the discovery of numbers, shapes, and measures.
Exploring the world:
Key learning experiences that help children understand time and space, while opening them to scientific discovery through the exploration of living things, objects, and materials.
We follow the official curriculum of the French Ministry of National Education, internationally recognised for its academic rigour and its nurturing approach to early childhood. It provides a strong foundation, preparing each child for their future schooling—whether in France, the UAE, or anywhere in the world
