New guidelines for early years education in Dubai

A child must be aged between 45 days and six years to be admitted to an early childhood centre in Dubai.

That's according to a new guide released by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) to support investors in Dubai’s early childhood education and care sector.

It outlines the guidelines for setting up or expanding early childhood centres, including updates on the admission age for early years, staff recruitment, governance and care provision among others.

In line with Dubai Government directives, the process to open or expand an early education centre has been streamlined, with reduced documentation requirements and faster processing times. 

Guidelines for early childhood centres include:

• New centres need to have dedicated education and care plans and have a clear governance structure in place 
• All staff employed must have suitable attributes, qualifications, knowledge and experience for their role
• Staff caring for children aged 45 days to 35 months should have expertise in baby and toddler care and development
• A child must be aged between 45 days and six years to be admitted to an early childhood centre in Dubai

The full guide can be accessed here.

More than 200 nurseries and early childhood centres in Dubai, including 15 new centres that opened in 2021, currently cater to children from 45 days old up to six years of age.