Because what we're offering at TCG is a new concept in Early Childhood Education, parents won't be able to compare it directly with any other pre-school, either in Dubai or abroad.  So we thought it would be helpful for you to know what expert, third party opinion has to say about TCG, our philosophy and our programme, the ICLCA.

 

What are your impressions of TCG?

My overriding impression was that this is not only a pre-school with a difference; it’s a pre-school that MAKES a difference.

So many schools offer one or two unique elements that other schools don’t have or haven’t thought of, but I have never been in the midst of such an abundance of emotive elements, all converging towards a single destination – the child’s world.

There is a German word ‘Kindgerecht’ which, literally  translates to ”that which is right for the child”, which is every single child’s birthright. It demands a loyalty to what makes sense and is precious to the child and his/her learning process…..a partnering with the first explorative steps without invasion. When adults can do no less and indeed only more. And this appears to be the fundamental driver in the designing of TCG.

Energy and thought has clearly been poured into so very many different aspects of the programme and the wider environment that supports it.

The vibrant colours outside draw the visitor into the world of colours inside. The school spells creation in every area…visual, subtle, appealing. The sound of singing accompanies one’s wandering stwps - from French to Arabic to English speaking classes, as one admires, studies the children’s art, the permanent art, movement…big and little touches everywhere. I love all this attention to detail; the way not one aspect is overlooked when it comes to enhancing the whole environment.

I also noticed that discipline manifests itself naturally, without having to be overtly enforced. This absence of enforcement – in every area – is fitting for a school of this calibre and ethos where teachers facilitate rather than direct. We know, but do not always remember, that learning happens best when the emphasis is on “exploring and discovering” by the sovereign child. Here at TCG Jumeira, this clearly is the case.

A happy learning environment if ever I saw one. One that has achieved so comprehensively a whole, age-appropriate, learning environment that gives children the space their potential deserves. A theatre where their inner dimensions of unfolding thought and emotion interlock with a fertile, welcoming and intensely proactive, manifest learning world.

Both schools, The Green Community and Jumeira are simply oozing warmth, acceptance and creativity, the building blocks of happy learning. Coming here, one cannot but recognize the ambience and structure as something quite, quite special and different from the norm.

The overwhelming impression one has is that the TCG concept/curriculum is lived not taught.

Maren Wilmott-Borberg, International Education Consultant

 

 

"Oh, there’s no doubt about it; there are some very good nurseries in the city and this is right at the very top.  It’s a great programme...  Parents would be very lucky to enroll their children here… In this place they would see better than best practice.”

Dr Kenon Rider, Associate Professor, Michigan State University, UAE.  Early Childhood Department

 

 

“My impressions of TCG were absolutely positive.  You have the great passion, you have a clear philosophy and you are forward-thinking.  And this is what it takes.”

Professor Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Wassilios E Fthenakis

 

 

“Great!  The outside activities are very important and I particularly like the way the inside lessons and activities are combined with a real philosophy of the importance of space and special areas of learning, so the way the rooms are structured is great.  Doing German things in the German room, French things in the French room, English things in the English room etc. is v important for sorting and creating an understanding of order within the brain.”

Professor Gerhard Preiss

 

Are we doing things right at TCG?

“You should never say a child is not capable of x, y or z.  The child should discover their own abilities and be allowed to make their own discoveries, but of course in a supportive environment.  This is TCG’s philosophy – to stimulate them and make them aware of things.

 

“The MAJOR point is that you find a happy medium with what you offer to the children – i.e. don’t have too much up on the walls.  Don’t over-bombard them / make them confused.  Be selective.  This is very much TCG’s philosophy.”

Professor Gerhard Preiss

 

 

“I haven’t been to a school where I have been as impressed as here; there is no Pre-school that comes close to this… You can tell that this is a holistic approach as it’s very relaxed and natural, the children here aren’t regimented – they flow.”

Anne Soderman, Professor, Department of Family and Child Ecology, Michigan State University, USA