Early Years Foundation Stage | Deira International School | Al-Futtaim, UAE

Early Years Foundation Stage | Deira International School | Al-Futtaim, UAE

At DIS, our Early Years curriculum provides every child with a strong foundation for learning and life. 

Rooted in the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and Development Matters, our curriculum is thoughtfully adapted to reflect the children we teach, our diverse international community and our unique Dubai context.

Early years student playing on indoor playground

Central to our approach is developing a strong sense of belonging and identity. We want every child to understand and celebrate who they are, including their heritage, language and culture, while developing a meaningful connection to the values and culture of DIS, Dubai and the UAE.

A day in the life of a DIS Foundation Stage child

A day in Early Years at DIS is active, purposeful and filled with opportunities to explore, discover and connect. From the moment children arrive, they learn through a balance of purposeful play, adult-guided learning and rich, real-life experiences across our indoor and outdoor environments.

Learning flows naturally across the seven areas of the Early Years Framework:


Where 
learning 
comes 
to life

Rather than experiencing these as separate subjects, children make connections through meaningful experiences that build their knowledge, skills and understanding across the curriculum.

Throughout the day, children are encouraged to make choices, follow their interests, investigate ideas and take increasing ownership of their learning. Our teachers carefully observe, question and extend children’s thinking, building on individual starting points and providing the right balance of support and challenge.

Playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically are woven throughout each child’s day. Through these experiences, children develop the confidence, curiosity, independence and resilience they need to become successful lifelong learners.


Learning Together

Partnerships with families are an important part of Early Years at DIS.
We recognise families as an integral part of each child’s journey and value the knowledge, experiences and perspectives they bring. 

 

Through regular Parent Shares, families are invited into our learning environments to learn alongside their children, contribute to classroom experiences and celebrate their progress and achievements.

Seesaw provides an ongoing connection between home and school, allowing teachers to share key learning moments and celebrations throughout the day. Families are encouraged to contribute too, sharing experiences, achievements and significant moments from home. This two-way partnership helps us develop a richer understanding of each child, strengthen connections between home and school, and ensure every child’s identity, interests and experiences are reflected in their learning.

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