Supporting the mini scholars of tomorrow

No stranger to philanthropy, Monica Valrani, CEO of Dubai’s Ladybird Nursery and Early Learning Centre, is a passionate believer in the power of education to change lives. Along with her husband Navin Valrani (CEO of The Arcadia Preparatory School, Dubai) she established the Monica and Navin Valrani Scholarship Fund in 2014 to support female students to attend the University of Pennsylvania and London Business School.

Educational philanthropy is taking a front seat once again with the duo’s latest announcement that they will be offering full scholarships to four students at both branches of Dubai’s Ladybird nurseries, starting in September 2016.

“Access to a great education is the birth right of each and every child, however families’ economic realities do not always make this possible,” comments Monica Valrani.

“In broadening the scope of the Monica and Navin Valrani Scholarship Fund, my husband and I will offer financial support not only to undergraduates but to the youngest pupils who are taking the very first steps of their exciting learning journey, right here in Dubai,” she adds. 

The current tuition fee structure for Ladybird’s Jumeirah branch is AED 11,950 per child per term for five days a week; while founders’ circle parent fees at Ladybird’s JVC branch will be AED 14,850 per child per term.

Parents of the four children who are selected to receive the Monica and Navin Valrani Scholarship Fund will be granted 100% of their annual tuition fees at Ladybird and the scholarship will be open to all nationalities based solely on financial need.

About Ladybird Nursery

Founded 20 years ago, Ladybird Nursery has established itself as one of Dubai’s leading British nurseries for children aged between 6 months and four years, with an outstanding reputation for the high quality of its childcare and education.

Experienced and dedicated staff, complemented by a low student-to-teacher ratio, ensures youngsters enjoy a warm, friendly and nurturing environment in which they can play, learn, have fun and evolve during their crucial first six years of life.

Ladybird Nursery follows the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum in a Montessori setting, to provide an enriching and well-balanced programme of activities covering learning areas such as personal, social, emotional and creative development, communication, language, literacy, problem-solving, reasoning and numeracy.

Purposefully-designed classrooms are equipped with the latest educational equipment including Montessori materials, educational games, a vast selection of books and interactive 3M digital smart boards. Additional facilities include spacious indoor and outdoor play areas in addition to enhanced weekly activities such as singing, music and movement, Arabic, arts and crafts, water play and a mini chefs cookery programme.

Ladybird Nursery is located in Jumeirah 1. In addition, a purpose-built Ladybird Early Learning Centre is currently under construction in Jumeirah Village Circle and scheduled to open in July 2016.