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Masterminds Nursery and Kindergarten logo

Masterminds Nursery and Kindergarten

Updated July 2026

to 6Ages
Co-edGender

Languages

English flagEnglishArabic flagArabicFrench flagFrench

Masterminds ELC Dubai is an award-winning, neuroscience-based early learning center for children aged 1.5 to 6. It features a highly personalized micro-school model with small group sizes of 5–6 students to deliver rigorous academics and holistic development.

Teaching approach

The school is grounded in neuroscience-based research, specifically focusing on the "First 2,000 Days" of development. It employs the proprietary ATHENA+ framework, which integrates intellectual, physical, and social excellence, and utilizes the "Masterminds Social Code" to cultivate emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and character.

Programmes

The academic offering is divided into three stages: Preschool (ages 1.5–3) focusing on sensory mastery and language immersion; Pre-KG & KG1 (ages 3–5) emphasizing inquiry-based learning; and KG2 (ages 5–6) providing advanced primary readiness. The curriculum features trilingual immersion in English, Arabic, and French, alongside conceptual numeracy and executive function training.

Outcomes

Graduates of the KG2 program receive priority matriculation to Masterminds VIP Dubai for primary and middle school. The school reports that students often progress two or more years ahead of traditional academic benchmarks by the time they enter Grade 1.

Student support

EAL support
Unknown
Learning support
Unknown

Learning support

The school utilizes an AI-powered personalization system (EMACS) to track engagement and tailor teaching. It employs a micro-class model of 5–6 students per group to ensure deep personalization, supported by specialist subject mentors and early development experts.

Frequently asked questions(3)
How much is tuition at Masterminds Nursery and Kindergarten?
Annual tuition at Masterminds Nursery and Kindergarten is AED 72.4K–AED 78K. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
Is Masterminds Nursery and Kindergarten co-educational?
Masterminds Nursery and Kindergarten is a co-ed school.
Where is Masterminds Nursery and Kindergarten located?
Masterminds Nursery and Kindergarten is an international school in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Tuition & fees

Annual tuition by grade

Annual tuition by grade
GradeAgesAnnual
Junior Preschool1–2AED 72.4K
Preschool1–3AED 72.7K
Pre-KG3–4AED 77K
KG14–5AED 78K
KG25–6AED 78K
Other fees(3)
Other fees
Registration fee· Non-refundable registration fee required for new applications, deducted from the first term's fee upon successful placement.AED 1K
Insurance· Annual non-refundable medical fee for regular health checks.AED 600
Meals· Meals are not included within the standard tuition fees.—

Discounts

  • Full-payment discount: 5%
  • Sibling discount: 3% - 5%

Admissions

The admissions process is structured, transparent, and family-focused, designed for children aged 1.5–6. It involves a private tour, an initial conversation, a personalized campus visit with parent consultation, an interview with the Academic Director, and a final enrollment offer. Upon acceptance, the school creates an individualized learning and development plan for the child. Admissions are rolling, subject to seat availability in the micro-groups.

Calendar

The school operates on a standard daily schedule with timings varying by age group: Junior Preschool and Preschool (8:30 AM – 1:00 PM), Pre-KG (8:00 AM – 1:30 PM), and KG1 and KG2 (7:45 AM – 2:00 PM). Early drop-off is available from 7:30 AM.

Facilities

Swimming poolSports fieldPlaygroundLibraryMusic roomGymnasium

About the campus

The campus is located in Umm Suqeim 3, opposite the Burj Al Arab. Purpose-designed facilities include a swimming pool, sports field, gymnasium, library, music rooms, and dedicated play areas.

Co-curriculars

The curriculum includes daily enrichment activities such as swimming, gymnastics, and ball skills. Students also participate in daily Suzuki violin and piano instruction, as well as outdoor expeditions and public speaking activities.

  • Shamail Siddiqi
    Shamail SiddiqiCo-Founder & CEO

    Shamail left a career in equity trading at Goldman Sachs and strategy consulting at Booz & Co to reinvent education. He leads the strategic direction and Early Years vision in Dubai, focusing on personalized coaching and high-performance environments.

  • Tania Siddiqi
    Tania SiddiqiCo-Founder & Education Director

    Tania is the architect of the Masterminds pillars of intellectual, physical, and social excellence and the heart of the ATHENA+ curriculum framework. Her leadership drives the quality and consistency of the specialized curriculum for ages 1.5–6.

  • Michael PlattChief Neuroscience Officer & Strategic Research Partner

    Dr. Platt is a neuroscientist and Professor of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Marketing at the University of Pennsylvania. He oversees the integration of research into the ATHENA+ framework, focusing on the "First 2,000 Days" of life as a foundation for the "Leader’s Brain."

  • Stephen LaneSenior Advisor, Accreditation & Experiential Learning

    Stephen has over 40 years of experience as a Head of School and accreditation expert. He supports the integration of high-impact, real-world experiential learning into the Early Years programs.

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