Welcome to
Nursery

Where little minds thrive in a home away from home!

About
Nursery

WSO provides a premium early years setting located in the heart of Dubai Silicon Oasis. We have created a nurturing environment where young children thrive from their very first steps in education.

At WSO Nursery, we embrace the Reggio Emilia philosophy, placing each child at the centre of their own learning journey. Our approach is grounded in three core principles: child-led learning, the environment as the 'third teacher', and the power of collaboration. Children are encouraged to explore, create, and discover through hands-on experiences in beautifully curated classrooms, rich in natural materials and sensory invitations.

In addition, we have been inspired by the Curiosity Approach, bringing its magic into our nursery through thoughtful, homely spaces that spark awe and wonder. This blend encourages independence, creativity, and deep thinking in a calm, respectful environment.

Welcome from our
Nursery Director

Welcome to GEMS WSO Nursery, a truly special place where children are nurtured, celebrated, and inspired to explore the world around them.

At WSO, we are passionate about creating a warm, homely environment where every child feels safe, valued, and excited to learn. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and the Curiosity Approach, our beautifully designed spaces are filled with natural materials, open-ended resources, and sensory-rich invitations to spark curiosity and creativity.

We believe in the power of child-led learning, where children are the drivers of their own discoveries, guided by caring educators who act as facilitators, collaborators, and co-learners. Our environment is the 'third teacher', thoughtfully crafted to promote independence, imagination, and deep thinking.
We are proud of the strong relationships we build with our families and the wider school community. Your voice matters here, and we welcome you as an essential part of your child’s learning journey.

It is a privilege to walk alongside your little one during these important years. We cannot wait to welcome you into our WSO family, a true home from home experience.

Ciara Mulligan – Nursery Director 

Explore Our
Nursery Curriculum

Our Nursery curriculum is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and the Curiosity Approach, combining child-led exploration with thoughtfully planned experiences. Rooted in the UK’s Development Matters guidance, we focus on the three prime areas: Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and Physical Development, supporting holistic, meaningful learning every day.

We create rich, language-filled environments where children are encouraged to express themselves, listen to others, and build confidence in their communication. Through stories, conversations, songs, and role play, we nurture strong foundations for language and lifelong learning.

At WSO Nursery, children develop a strong sense of self, build meaningful relationships, and learn to manage emotions with care and empathy. Our warm, supportive environment helps each child feel safe, valued, and ready to explore the world.

We support children’s developing bodies through active play, fine motor activities, and sensory experiences. From outdoor adventures to hands-on learning, every opportunity is designed to build coordination, strength, and confidence in movement.

Our classrooms are thoughtfully designed to spark wonder, independence, and discovery. We empower children to lead their own learning through open-ended play, exploration, and creative problem-solving.

Outdoor Exploration

At WSO, we are fortunate to have two exceptional outdoor areas for daily exploration. In the cooler months, these spaces are set up for messy play, including mud activities that encourage sensory development and creativity. Children delight in mixing water and soil, engaging their problem-solving skills while exploring textures and learning through hands-on experiences. As temperatures rise, outdoor learning continues with water play. Children arrive in wet play clothes ready to splash, pour, and experiment, keeping cool while developing key gross motor skills and coordination. These experiences are not only joyful but form an essential part of our approach to early development.

Curiosity- Inspired Environment

Our spaces are carefully designed using natural materials, soft lighting, and sensory-rich resources to provoke exploration and deep thinking. Our children are seen as capable, competent learners, and our environments reflect that belief, every area invites enquiry, creativity, and imagination. Our staff guide learning gently, offering invitations and opportunities for children to lead their journey. This approach develops independence, confidence, and critical thinking, setting a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Swimming

At our nursery, we offer safe and engaging swimming lessons led by experienced and certified swim coaches. Our programme is designed specifically for young children, focusing on building water confidence, basic swimming skills, and safety awareness in a fun and nurturing environment. We maintain a high adult-to-child ratio during all swimming sessions to ensure each child receives close supervision and individual support. Our coaches are trained to work with early years children, using age-appropriate techniques that make learning to swim a positive and enjoyable experience. Safety, care, and confidence-building are at the heart of every session.

Wellbeing

We believe in nurturing the whole child, supporting their growth emotionally, socially, physically, and cognitively. Through a mix of structured experiences, guided play, and responsive teaching, we meet each child where they are and help them flourish. With strong 1:1 support from qualified educators, children build secure attachments, emotional resilience, and essential skills that prepare them not just for school, but for life. To further support wellbeing, we regularly engage children in mindful activities, breathing techniques, and age-appropriate yoga sessions, helping them to develop calmness, body awareness, and emotional regulation in a fun, accessible way.

Real Stories
Real Experiences

Discover the impact of our community through the voices of parents who are part of our journey. Hear heartfelt testimonials sharing their experiences, insights, and the difference our school has made in their children's lives. Learn how we partner with families to create a thriving learning environment.

WANT TO JOIN OUR COMMUNITY?

We’re incredibly grateful for the wonderful experience our son has had, first in nursery and now in FS1. As a naturally shy child, it took him a while to settle in, but the staff handled everything with patience, care, and understanding

Jana Agnew

Parent of FS1

Our child has blossomed in this nurturing environment. The balance between structured learning and play-based activities has sparked their curiosity, encouraged independence, and supported their emotional development.

Brandon and Jaspal Singh

Nursery Parent

Louis is very comfortable and happy around all the team. I always say that being in nursery is like being in a lovely tranquil haven, as soon as you go through the doors you feel at ease which I feel is so important and a real testament to Miss Ciara and her team.

Le Goff

Parent of Nursery

Join us on A Virtual Tour

Step inside our Nursery spaces and experience what makes our early years environment so special. Take a virtual look around our Reception area, Discover Hub, and Nursery Classroom to get a real sense of daily life and learning at our Nursery.

nursery virtual tour

frequently asked
questions

How will my child be supported during the settling-in period? 

We provide a gentle settling-in process, tailored to each child’s needs, to ensure they feel safe, confident, and happy in their new environment. This is done in small groups over a period of two weeks, allowing children to build trust with their teachers, explore the space at their own pace, and gradually ease into the nursery routine with the comfort of familiar faces around them. We also hold an induction meeting for parents, giving them the opportunity to share personal updates about their child. This helps us understand each child’s individual needs and preferences, so we can provide the best possible support from day one.

What are the nursery attendance options?

We offer flexible attendance choices: either 3 or 5 days per week. Families can also choose between a 12:30 PM or 3:30 PM finish to best suit their needs.

What curriculum do you follow?

We follow the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, with a strong focus on the three prime areas of learning: Communication and Language, Physical Development, and Personal, Social and Emotional Development.

Does my child need to be toilet trained before starting nursery?

Not at all. We understand that every child develops at their own pace. Our team will work closely with you to support your child’s toileting journey in a calm and encouraging way.

Blog
HIGHLIGHTS

Jun
2025
The Power of Play – How WSO Nursery Builds Real-World Skills

At GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis, play is far from passive — it’s the foundation for confident, capable learne..

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Jun
2025
Preparing You and Your Child for Their First Day at Nursery

The first day of Nursery is a milestone — for both children and parents. At GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis, we ..

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Jun
2025
Top Tips for Choosing the Right Nursery for Your Child

Choosing the right nursery is one of the most important decisions you'll make in the early years of your child's life. A..

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May
2025
Top 5 tips to prepare your child for Nursery

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

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May
2025
Why you should consider a Reggio Emilia setting for your child’s Nursery

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

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May
2025
Importance of Messy Play in your Toddlers

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

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May
2025
What Makes GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis the Best Choice for Primary Education?

Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions parents make.

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