Dubai, UAE: Ladybird Nurseries have announced the opening of Ladybird Early Learning Centre, in July 2016 and their sister school, The Arcadia Preparatory School, in August 2016. The two schools, the announcement said, are instigating a range of Green Building initiatives into the construction and operation of its school premises to attain environmental sustainability and reduce carbon footprint.

To be located in Jumeirah Village Triangle, the announcement revealed that The Arcadia Preparatory School is being developed under the group’s Arcadia EduPlan model, and it is hoping to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) recognition. The announcement added that the school has already won recognition for its innovative design, when it was shortlisted for last year’s ‘Education Project of the Year’ category at the annual Middle East Architect Awards.

On a different note, the announcement informed that Ladybird Early Learning Centre, to be located in Jumeirah Village Circle, is aiming to become reportedly the first dedicated, early years setting in the Middle East to be LEED gold-certified for its eco-friendly building initiatives.

The educational group revealed that throughout the building process, 25% of the nursery’s construction material is recycled, with 25% of the actual construction material itself having been imported within an 800-kilometre radius, thereby saving on carbon emissions. Furthermore, the group said that post-construction, the air conditioner will be switched off automatically upon opening windows, air conditioning drain water is recycled and re-used for irrigation and each of the 15 classrooms will incorporate energy-efficient fans and lighting.

“The importance of sustainability – whether it’s recycling, reducing CO₂ emissions, using energy-efficient fans and lighting or efficient water usage – is vitally important to instil within the young generation since they are the future guardians of the planet,” said Navin Valrani, CEO of The Arcadia Preparatory School. “By pursuing the stringent LEED-accreditation process we are committing ourselves not only to positive climate change but to the well-being of our children, staff and wider community,” says

Monica Valrani, CEO of Ladybird Nursery and Early Learning Centre, added, “Research is now pointing to long-term respiratory illnesses that can arise as a result of sick buildings and we want to ensure that our children will be protected from those sorts of effects with the creation of Ladybird Early Learning Centre.”