The Jeddah opening is part of a wider expansion strategy for Bear Hugs and its parent company, Futura Holding.
Chairman of Futura Holding, Mr Ismail Anas Abudawood, said the company is investing heavily in the Saudi market and sees strong growth potential in the Kingdom’s early childhood education sector.
“We believe that investing in early childhood is a direct investment in the future of the Kingdom.”
Abudawood said Futura Holding plans to open 15 new nurseries in the coming period, further strengthening Bear Hugs’ presence in Saudi Arabia. The company currently has seven locations either operating or soon to open in the Kingdom, as part of a wider regional network of 35 locations.
He added that the expansion reflects the company’s confidence in the continued development of early childhood education in Saudi Arabia and its commitment to supporting the development of future generations.
A Focus On Confidence And Child Development
Abudawood said Bear Hugs’ approach combines international early childhood expertise with an understanding of the needs of children and families in Saudi society.
He explained that the organisation aims to provide an integrated educational and developmental environment where children can build knowledge alongside confidence, personality and social and emotional skills.
“Our purpose is to invest alongside the government in developing future generations geared for a leading country.”
He said the preschool’s approach is aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly its focus on developing human capabilities from an early age.
Founder Highlights The Importance Of The Early Years
Bear Hugs Preschool founder Denise Alaquil said the organisation’s philosophy is built around the importance of children’s earliest experiences and the role they play in shaping their future approach to learning and the world around them.
“The early years of a child’s life represent a critical foundation for shaping their personality and their approach to learning and the world around them.”
Alaquil said Bear Hugs places children at the centre of its learning process, with an emphasis on creating a safe and stimulating environment that encourages exploration, self-expression, questioning and discovery.
She also welcomed the preschool’s growing role in Saudi Arabia’s education sector, saying the Kingdom’s increasing focus on educational quality and early childhood development creates an opportunity for Bear Hugs to bring its experience to more families.
Alaquil said the preschool aims to ensure that children feel safe, respected and comfortable expressing themselves while developing both academically and socially.
“We strive to achieve a balance between academic development and social and emotional growth because we believe that meaningful learning begins when children feel safe and connected to those around them.”
What Families Can Expect From The Programme
Bear Hugs follows an American-based early childhood curriculum that combines structured learning with purposeful play and exploration.
The programme covers academic, social and emotional development and includes activities designed to encourage creativity, sensory development, communication and independence.
Its current programme information highlights hands-on learning across areas including literacy, mathematics and science. Children also take part in activities designed to encourage curiosity and problem-solving.
The Jeddah provision includes nursery and kindergarten programmes. According to the preschool, nursery hours run from 7:45am to 12:30pm, while KG1 to KG3 runs from 7:45am to 1:30pm. Extended care is available until 5pm.
For parents, the combination of learning and extended care may be relevant when considering childcare options alongside work and family commitments.
To know more about Bear Hugs Preschool, please visit
Further Reading
- Why Boundaries Matter And How Wishing Tree Nursery Builds Them With Love
- King’s College Riyadh Introduces Digital Learning Ecosystem for Students