Read also: Inside a Dubai school preparing for the return of pupils
Nurseries in the UAE are preparing to open for the autumn term in line with government Covid-19 safety regulations.
Home Grown Children's Eco Nursery in Dubai has two branches – in Umm Suqeim and Al Safa – that are due to open on September 7.
Fortunately, not a great deal has altered since the last academic year, when in order to reopen nursery owners had to adhere to strict Covid-19 regulations.
Children will still learn and socialise in bubbles with their classmates, but will be kept separate from other groups to help reduce transmission of the virus, said Eithne Mulhern, 47, director of education and head teacher at Home Grown Children's Eco Nursery.
"The social distancing rules have changed, and children are now allowed to be one metre apart rather than 1.5 metres," she said.
"Other than that, the bubbles have been made slightly bigger, from eight to 12 pupils in the one to two age group, and from 10 to 15 in the two to three's, and three to four year old's.
"We'll be continuing with hand washing and temperature checks every hour for all the children, as per the regulations, which also require us to record those results, Ms Mulhern said.
"Plus we sanitise any bags that come into the nursery, and we ask parents to sanitise them at home, and to wash their child's uniform every day."
First-day nerves
For many parents, their child's first day of nursery is one of the most nerve-wracking.
Normally the process is staggered, with parents settling their child into the classroom, staying for a while and playing. This is no longer allowed and parents can only stay for 15 minutes.
This is difficult for first-time parents, said Ms Mulhern from Ireland.
"From a parent's point of view, it is heartbreakingly tough to leave your child on their first day.
"To help, we make sure we're reachable by phone, and we have an app where we send photos to parents, and they get them instantly. We also take videos of the classrooms, so parents can see what they look like.
"The good news is that because there are less adults in the building, it's less confusing for the children, and we noticed last year they did settle more quickly in the classrooms. So there are some plus points."
The atmosphere in nurseries has changed dramatically compared to before the pandemic.
Adults and teachers must wear masks at all times and play areas are regularly sprayed with disinfectant, including sandpits and climbing frames.
Certain toys are prohibited because they are too fiddly to disinfect and staff members have to wear plastic gloves and aprons when feeding babies, while also retaining a distance of one metre.
Even toddlers have to be taught not to play with children who are not in their bubble, something Homegrown has resolved by partitioning the garden using parking cones and tape.
Ms Mulhern said parents have understood things had to change in order for them to reopen.
"We know the parents are behind us and they're backing us, and they're doing exactly what we've asked them. Plus they know that everything that we're doing is to minimise the risk to our children, and to the teachers and to themselves."
Fight card
Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) v Rey Nacionales (PHI)
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROM) v Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR)
Catch 74kg
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) v Omar Hussein (JOR)
Strawweight (Female)
Weronika Zygmunt (POL) v Seo Ye-dam (KOR)
Featherweight
Kaan Ofli (TUR) v Walid Laidi (ALG)
Lightweight
Leandro Martins (BRA) v Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW)
Welterweight
Ahmad Labban (LEB) v Sofiane Benchohra (ALG)
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR)
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Glen Ranillo (PHI)
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Aidan Aguilera (AUS)
Welterweight
Mounir Lazzez (TUN) Sasha Palatnikov (HKG)
Featherweight title bout
Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR)
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Japan
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Canada
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The%20specs
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Uefa Champions League play-off
First leg: Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Ajax v Dynamo Kiev
Second leg: Tuesday, August 28, 11pm (UAE)
Dynamo Kiev v Ajax
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
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The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
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The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Barack Beach, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Way Of Wisdom, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Woodditton, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Secret Trade, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Mark Of Approval, Antonio Fresu, Mahmood Hussain.
9.25pm: Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tradesman, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
Pakistan Super League
Previous winners
2016 Islamabad United
2017 Peshawar Zalmi
2018 Islamabad United
2019 Quetta Gladiators
Most runs Kamran Akmal – 1,286
Most wickets Wahab Riaz –65
The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
