Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), a member of Tatweer, celebrated World Health Day with the opening of its first kindergarten - the Hummingbird Early Learning Centre.

In addition, child health experts from the City were on hand to discuss health issues affecting children in the UAE today, including diet, accidental trauma, depression and genetic disorders.

Complementing DHCC’s diversified offerings of child health services, which include paediatrics, dental, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, nutrition and special needs, the school launch was attended by DHCC senior vice-president Dr. Ayesha Abdullah and executive chairman of Al Tamimi Investments, which owns Hummingbird, Essam Al Tamimi.

Dr Ayesha said the early years of a child's life were crucial for cognitive, social and emotional development.

"It is important to take every step necessary to ensure that children grow up in an environment where their social, emotional and educational needs are met," she pointed out.

"Many of the health issues faced in adult life can often be prevented if caught early during childhood, such as obesity, diabetes, tooth decay and even arthritis," she noted.

"I hope that having a one-stop-shop for child education and healthcare during such formative years will improve the overall quality of life of the children and parents that use these services," Dr Ayesha added.

Isabel Persoons, centre manager for Hummingbird, said: “Hummingbird Early Learning Centre is a colourful and stimulating facility for children up to five years of age, blending creative learning with the highest educational standards.

Following the UK Practice Guidelines for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the centre boasts of one of the lowest child-to-teacher ratios for ensuring unrestricted interaction of children among their peer group.

Hummingbird hopes to play an important role in providing early education to the DHCC community and beyond.

“A happy child is a healthy child and numerous research studies have shown the positive impact on productivity, lower absenteeism and general wellbeing amongst employees when child care facilities are close to the workplace," Persoons remarked.

"One of the worries parents often have when selecting an early learning centre is not just of the quality of their child’s educational development but also their welfare. No other child care centre in Dubai can claim the range of family health services on its doorstep as Hummingbird, he added.-TradeArabia News Service