HEI UAE, an exclusive partnership between Ghobash Group and Helsinki International Schools, has launched its first purpose-built Finnish early learning centre in Arabian Ranches 1, Dubai, with the opening announced on 25 February 2026. The project reached a key milestone after a groundbreaking in November 2025 and construction is now progressing on the flagship site. The centre occupies 24,500 square foot and is designed to serve children aged zero to six, providing a purpose-built environment for early learning and development.

The facility will offer a curated mix of learning, play and wellbeing spaces with dedicated zones for exploration, creativity and physical development. Both indoor and outdoor environments will support social interaction, movement and nature-based learning that reflect the pedagogical priorities of the Finnish model. The layout aims to foster child-led discovery while enabling educators to guide holistic development.

HEI UAE forms part of a growing global network of HEI Schools, which currently serves more than 1,700 children across more than 25 centres worldwide. The model is rooted in Finland's internationally recognised education system and emphasises purposeful play, child-led learning and sustained involvement from highly trained educators. Teacher training will be supported by mentors from Finland and the curriculum is described as research-backed and focused on social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth.

The general manager of HEI UAE indicated that the organisation is pleased to see the project advancing in Arabian Ranches and that the aim is to introduce a fundamentally different approach to early learning in the UAE. The managing director of Ghobash Group stated that education has been a central area of long-term investment and that bringing this calibre of model to the UAE reflects ambition for the sector and potential to build over time.

Positioned within a well established residential community, the flagship centre is intended to offer accessible, high-quality early learning aligned with international standards to families in the area. More information is available on the HEI UAE website and the organisation intends to engage with local communities as the centre progresses towards completion.