Early Years

American foundations + IB curiosity = Confident dynamic learners. At UAS, our Early Years program provides children with a strong, joyful, and confident start to school life.

How Learning Happens

Our KG curriculum is aligned with US standards and enriched through the IB Primary Years Programme, giving children the benefit of both structured academic foundations and inquiry-based learning.

Learning in Early Years is built around The Creative Curriculum, which supports purposeful play and hands-on experiences.

For young children, school should feel engaging, safe, and full of opportunity.

At UAS, our Early Years program provides children with a strong, joyful, and confident start to school life. Our KG curriculum is aligned with US standards and enriched through the IB Primary Years Programme, giving children the benefit of both structured academic foundations and inquiry-based learning.

A key focus of our program is early literacy. Through phonics, storytelling, vocabulary development, speaking, listening, and play-based exploration, children develop the language and confidence needed to become successful readers, communicators, and learners.

We believe that confidence is built through connection. Our classrooms are warm, nurturing, and engaging spaces where children are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, build friendships, and develop independence.

UAS KG is also intentionally priced to support families in beginning their child’s learning journey as early as possible. This makes our Early Years program a strong investment in your child’s future and a natural pathway into our Elementary School.

The learning approach is also guided by the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) philosophy, encouraging inquiry, exploration, and active participation from the earliest years.

American foundations. IB curiosity.

Our Early Years program brings together the structure of a US curriculum with the wonder of IB inquiry, helping children become capable, curious, and confident learners.

UAS KG combines the clarity of a US curriculum with the wonder and exploration of the IB Primary Years Programme, helping children build strong academic foundations while developing independence, creativity, and confidence.

At UAS, children are encouraged to speak, share, question, and explore. Our KG program develops strong oral language, early literacy, and self-confidence through a US-aligned curriculum enriched by the IB PYP.

Our KG program combines the strength and structure of a US-aligned curriculum with the inquiry-based approach of the IB Primary Years Programme. This means children develop essential early literacy and numeracy skills while also learning to ask questions, explore ideas, communicate thinking, and make sense of the world around them.

Accessible KG pricing

Our Early Years pricing is intentionally positioned to support families in beginning their child’s learning journey early. Families receive the benefit of a high-quality UAS education, specialist facilities, experienced teachers, and a clear pathway into Elementary, while accessing KG at a more affordable price point than later years.

At UAS, we believe every child deserves access to a strong start. Our KG program is intentionally priced to make high-quality early education more accessible to families, while providing the foundations children need for long-term success in school and beyond.

Priced to support families in starting earlier and securing a strong educational foundation.

Phonics and Reading Readiness

Our KG program places strong emphasis on early literacy, including structured phonics, vocabulary development, storytelling, speaking and listening, and early reading readiness. Children build the skills and confidence to become capable, enthusiastic readers.

A key strength of our Early Years program is the development of oral language and self-confidence. Children are encouraged to speak, listen, share ideas, ask questions, explain their thinking, and participate actively in the classroom community. This builds the confidence they need to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

Specialist Subjects from PreK

From PreK, children are taught by specialist teachers as part of their weekly timetable.

These include:

Music
Physical Education (PE)
Visual Arts
Arabic

Arabic language learning begins daily in PreK, helping children build early familiarity and confidence in the language.

Specialist subjects enrich the Early Years experience and allow children to explore movement, creativity, and expression alongside classroom learning.

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LEAP Junior

For families who would like a longer school day, LEAP Junior is available for PreK and KG1 students.

LEAP Junior provides a supervised extension to the school day and runs until 3:15 pm. The programme offers a balanced mix of play-based learning, creative activities, and time to relax, all in a familiar and supportive environment.

This option supports working families while ensuring young children remain engaged and cared for in a way that suits their developmental needs.

Classrooms and Routines

Early Years classrooms are designed specifically for young learners. Spaces are calm, inviting, and organised to encourage exploration and independence while maintaining clear routines that help children feel secure.

Teachers support children through whole-class learning, small-group activities, and individual attention. Daily routines help children settle into school life, manage transitions, and develop social skills and self-confidence.

School Day Structure

The Early Years schedule is designed with young children in mind:

PreK and KG1 follow a shorter school day, with the option to extend through LEAP Junior
KG2 follows the full school day, helping children prepare for the transition into Elementary School

This structure supports both learning and wellbeing, while giving families flexibility.

Early Years | Universal American School | Al-Futtaim, UAE