Designed to recognise centres that are driving meaningful change through education, the Centre of the Year award celebrates those creating impactful, inclusive opportunities for learners to grow and succeed. This year, Exeed College is our highly commended (international) winner for its work to reshape early childhood education across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) through accessible and high-quality NCFE programmes.
Shaping the future of early years
UAE-based centre, Exeed College, has become one of the region’s most influential providers of NCFE early years and childcare qualifications, strengthening this sector’s workforce across the UAE and wider GCC. With a strong focus on supporting working professionals, the college has created accessible and aspirational pathways for practitioners to train, progress and build confidence in their roles.
Through its NCFE programmes, Exeed College has redefined what professional learning can look like for busy educators. By combining UK-regulated qualifications, a strong pastoral and academic support system, and flexible online delivery, Exeed enables learners to upskill, regardless of their schedule, background or circumstance. For many, this has opened doors that once felt firmly closed, turning long-held ambitions into achievable realities.
A model built for access and progression
Exeed’s learner-centred approach is designed to remove barriers while maintaining high standards. Weekend and evening classes allow full-time practitioners to continue working, while the online classroom connects learners across different regions.
Comprehensive academic and pastoral support underpins every stage of the learner journey. Assessors provide detailed guidance, structured feedback and one-to-one support, ensuring that learners feel confident throughout their studies. A strong culture of internal quality assurance, including regular standardisation, training and review, ensures consistency and excellence across all programmes.
This approach has resulted in consistently high completion rates, strong learner confidence and growing representation of Exeed graduates in nurseries and schools across the region.
Strength in diversity
A defining feature of Exeed College is its diverse, multicultural learner community. Early years practitioners from across the UAE, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe come together in a learning environment that values different perspectives and experiences.
Teaching strategies are designed to be inclusive and culturally responsive, supporting learners with varying language backgrounds and educational experiences. Many students bring their day-to-day practice directly into their studies, creating a dynamic environment where theory and real-world application are closely connected.
Through tailored academic guidance, flexible assessment approaches and ongoing pastoral support, Exeed ensures learners not only enrol, but thrive.
Creating pathways to long-term careers
Exeed College’s impact extends beyond qualification achievement into meaningful career progression. Through global university partnerships, learners can access further study opportunities, including degrees, teaching qualifications and specialist pathways in areas such as special educational needs and leadership.
Strong local partnerships with nurseries and schools further enhance this progression, providing opportunities for practical experience and employment pathways. Many graduates go on to take on supervisory, SEN and curriculum support roles, demonstrating the long-term value of their learning.
A culture of growth and excellence
The college’s commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in its investment in teaching staff. Tutors and assessors regularly engage in professional development to stay aligned with evolving best practice in early childhood education.
This culture directly benefits learners, who are supported by knowledgeable and reflective educators. In turn, graduates contribute to raising standards across the sector, bringing confidence, skill and innovation into their settings.
A truly deserving winner
At its core, Exeed College represents a platform for opportunity – a place where working professionals can overcome barriers and realise their potential. Its commitment to accessibility, quality and progression is helping to strengthen the early years workforce across the GCC.
By combining inclusive learning design, rigorous standards and a clear focus on real-world impact, Exeed has redefined what professional education can look like for early years practitioners. Its work continues to shape the future of the sector, one learner, one classroom and one opportunity at a time.
Samras Mayimi, CEO, Exeed College, Founder and Director, Westford Education Group, said: "Since partnering with NCFE in 2018, we have credentialed more than 1,400 early years educators across the region. We remain deeply grateful to NCFE for enabling this formidable expansion. Being recognized with the Aspiration Award serves as a triumphant capstone."
Congratulations Exeed College! To read more inspirational stories from this year’s award winners, visit our Aspiration Awards 2026 page.
