His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, President of Zayed University, toured around Zayed University’s Early Childhood  Learning Center in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of H.E Ahmad Humaid Al Tayer, Head of the Supervising Committee over the endowment fund at Zayed University, H.E Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Mubadala, Dr. Maryam Al Rumaithi, the Family Development Foundation's Director General, H.E Ali Al Ketbi, Deputy General Secretary of the Public Administration Directorate, General Secretariat of the Executive Council, Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim, Vice President of Zayed University, and Dr. Larry Wilson, Provost of Zayed University.



During his tour, Sheikh Nahayan got into the details of the ECLC creative curriculum and learning approaches for age groups from 6 months to 4 years.



The edutainment Center, which is the first of its kind in the region with purpose built facilities designed for early childhood education and development, can accommodate up to 120 children, and endorses a dual language immersion model where teachers interact with children in both languages in the same classroom. The guiding principle of this model is language maintenance and enrichment.



Ms. Fatma Ahmad Al Bastaki, ECLC Director, said: “The Center is a holistic learning center where children can play, learn and develop in a bilingual environment. It is part of Zayed University, which is internationally accredited with a rich intellectual and cultural environment that supports advanced learning experiences.”



''The multi-cultural environment Center uses an innovative research based program that incorporates the philosophy of the Creative Curriculum which draws from the best international standards. Our program promotes discovery, self- expression, interactive learning and skill building for future school success in a play- based environment,'' she added.

Source: WAM