Choosing a nursery is one of the most personal decisions a parent makes, and one of the most important. But before you evaluate learning approaches, tour facilities, or compare fees, there is a more fundamental question: is this nursery properly licensed and regulated? The UAE has strengthened its early childhood regulatory framework significantly in recent years, with new federal laws, a dedicated agency, and emirate-level quality frameworks. Understanding nursery licensing and regulations in the UAE gives you the knowledge to verify any nursery's credentials and ask the right questions from day one.
Federal Decree Law No. 51 of 2022: The Foundation
The cornerstone of UAE nursery regulation is Federal Decree Law No. 51 of 2022, which replaced the much older Federal Law No. 5 of 1983. This law reshaped the early childhood landscape with several key provisions.
Who It Covers
The law defines a "Child" as every child from the age of one day to 4 calendar years. It separately defines "Care Rooms" for children from birth to 2 years, recognising that the youngest children have distinct needs.
What It Requires
All nurseries must obtain accreditation from the Federal Agency for Early Education (FAEE) for their curriculum. They must teach Arabic, Islamic education, and content that promotes national identity. The law also establishes clear penalties for non-compliance: imprisonment of up to 1 year and/or fines ranging from AED 10,000 to AED 1,000,000. These penalties signal how seriously the UAE takes early childhood regulation.
Why It Matters for Parents
This law means that every nursery in the UAE operates within a legal framework that sets minimum standards for what children are taught, how nurseries are governed, and what happens when standards are not met. If a nursery cannot demonstrate compliance with Federal Decree-Law 51, that is a serious red flag.
The FAEE: Federal Agency for Early Education
The FAEE was established under Federal Decree Law No. 43 of 2022 and is affiliated directly with the UAE Cabinet. Its responsibilities include:
- Setting policies, strategies, and legislation for early childhood education
- Establishing regulations and standards for nurseries nationwide
- Issuing licences and monitoring nurseries
- Approving curricula and fees
- Coordinating with local authorities (KHDA, ADEK, SPEA, and others)
The FAEE can delegate operational oversight to local authorities, which is why you still interact with KHDA in Dubai, ADEK in Abu Dhabi, or SPEA in Sharjah on day-to-day nursery matters. But the FAEE sets the federal standard that all of them must meet.
Emirate-Level Regulation
While the FAEE provides the federal framework, each emirate has its own regulator that handles licensing, inspections, and quality assurance at the local level.
KHDA: Dubai
KHDA launched its Quality Framework for Early Childhood in November 2025. This framework covers five domains:
- Learning and curriculum
- Partnership with families and communities
- Learning environments
- Health, safeguarding, and wellbeing
- Leadership and management
An important point for parents: this framework is currently a developmental and reflective tool. It is designed to help nurseries self-evaluate and improve. KHDA is not yet producing nursery ratings or conducting formal nursery inspections under this framework. A future quality assurance system is planned but has not been implemented. The framework was developed with input from over 400 early childhood leaders.
This means that, for now, Dubai nurseries do not receive the kind of formal inspection ratings that schools do. You cannot look up a nursery's "KHDA rating" the way you can for a school. This makes your own due diligence, including a thorough nursery visit, even more important.
ADEK: Abu Dhabi
ADEK has been the most active emirate-level regulator for nurseries. It introduced 27 new policies for Early Education Institutions (EEIs) effective from the 2024-25 academic year. These policies cover:
- Settling-in protocols for new children
- Parent engagement mandates
- Requirement for a native Arabic-speaking educator
- Daily Arabic lessons
- Emirati dishes in weekly nursery menus
ADEK's approach is comprehensive and prescriptive: nurseries in Abu Dhabi operate under detailed policy guidance that touches everything from curriculum to food.
SPEA: Sharjah
SPEA conducts Nursery Improvement Reviews in Sharjah and manages nurseries through the Tamam platform (for fees and administration) and the Maaman portal (for nursery management). SPEA's involvement gives Sharjah nurseries a structured regulatory relationship.
Other Emirates
In Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain, the MOE oversees nurseries through regional branches. The level of public reporting and structured inspection varies.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
One of the most important regulatory standards, and one of the easiest for parents to verify during a visit, is the staff-to-child ratio.
| Age Group | Required Ratio |
|---|---|
| Under 12 months | 1:3 |
| 12 to 24 months | 1:4 to 1:5 |
| 2 to 3 years | 1:6 to 1:8 |
| 3 to 4 years | Up to 1:10 |
The ratio for 3 to 4 year olds varies by source: some references cite 1:8, others up to 1:10. When visiting nurseries, ask for their specific ratios by room and check whether the numbers you are told match what you observe.
For context, ADEK's Pre-KG ratio in schools is 1:25 (one teacher plus one assistant). This is significantly higher than nursery ratios, which is one reason why nursery environments feel more intimate and why fees per child tend to be higher at the nursery stage.
Space Requirements
ADEK health and safety requirements specify minimum space allocations:
- Under 2 years: 3.5 square metres per child
- Over 2 years: 3.0 square metres per child
- Location: Nurseries must be on the ground floor or first floor of a building
These space requirements ensure that children have room to move, play, and learn safely. When you visit a nursery, a cramped or overcrowded feeling may indicate that space requirements are not being met.
Staff Qualification Requirements
Nursery staff qualifications are regulated at multiple levels:
- Room leaders are expected to hold a minimum of CACHE Level 3 or equivalent early childhood qualification.
- All staff require police clearance certificates, health cards, and TB screening.
- Staff medical clearances are required before working with children.
Ask to see the qualifications of the staff who will be caring for your child. A nursery that is transparent about its team's credentials is one that takes regulation seriously. For more on what to check regarding staff, see our guide on nursery health and safety requirements.
How to Verify a Nursery's Licence
Before enrolling your child, verify that the nursery is properly licensed:
Dubai: Check the KHDA website for a list of licensed nurseries. You can search by area and see basic information about each nursery's licence status.
Abu Dhabi: Use the ADEK portal to verify nursery licensing. ADEK maintains a registry of approved Early Education Institutions.
Sharjah: Check with SPEA directly or through their online platforms.
At the nursery itself: Ask to see the physical licence displayed on the premises. Look for current KHDA, ADEK, or SPEA certificates. A licensed nursery will have these visible. If they are not displayed or the nursery is evasive about showing them, consider it a warning sign.
Cross-check the curriculum: Ask whether the nursery's curriculum has been approved by the FAEE or the relevant local authority. Under Federal Decree-Law 51, curriculum accreditation is mandatory.
What Parents Often Get Wrong
Assuming all nurseries are automatically regulated. While the regulatory framework is strong, enforcement is ongoing. Unlicensed nurseries or home-based childcare operating without proper licensing do exist. Always verify the licence independently.
Confusing KHDA's school ratings with nursery ratings. KHDA produces detailed inspection ratings for schools but does not yet rate nurseries under its new Quality Framework. If a nursery in Dubai claims a "KHDA rating," ask for specifics: it may be referring to a different type of recognition.
Overlooking ADEK's policies. Abu Dhabi's 27 new nursery policies cover areas that many parents do not think to ask about, from settling-in protocols to food requirements. Familiarising yourself with these policies gives you a strong basis for evaluating Abu Dhabi nurseries.
Not checking ratios during the visit. The published ratio is the minimum standard, but what matters is the ratio in practice on a given day. Count the children and staff in each room during your visit. If numbers do not match the claimed ratios, ask why.
For a comprehensive overview of nursery fees across all emirates, see our guide on nursery fees in the UAE.
Bottom Line
The UAE's nursery regulatory framework is robust and getting stronger. Federal Decree-Law 51 sets the foundation, the FAEE provides national oversight, and emirate-level regulators handle day-to-day licensing and quality assurance. As a parent, your job is to verify that the nursery you choose is properly licensed, meets staff ratio and space requirements, and is transparent about its credentials. A nursery that welcomes your questions about regulation is one that takes compliance seriously, and that is exactly the kind of nursery your child deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a nursery in Dubai is licensed?
Check the KHDA website for a list of licensed nurseries. You can also ask the nursery to show you their physical licence, which should be displayed on the premises.
Does KHDA rate nurseries like it rates schools?
Not yet. KHDA launched a Quality Framework for Early Childhood in November 2025, but it is currently a developmental tool: not a rating or inspection system. Formal nursery inspections and ratings are planned for the future.
What is the FAEE?
The Federal Agency for Early Education, established in 2022, is the national body responsible for nursery policies, standards, licensing, and monitoring across all emirates. It coordinates with local authorities like KHDA, ADEK, and SPEA.
What are the staff-to-child ratios for UAE nurseries?
The standard ratios are 1:3 for under 12 months, 1:4 to 1:5 for 12 to 24 months, 1:6 to 1:8 for 2 to 3 years, and up to 1:10 for 3 to 4 years.
What happens if a nursery operates without a licence?
Under Federal Decree-Law 51 of 2022, penalties include imprisonment of up to 1 year and fines ranging from AED 10,000 to AED 1,000,000. Parents should verify licensing before enrolling.
What qualifications should nursery staff have?
Room leaders should hold a minimum of CACHE Level 3 or equivalent. All staff must have police clearance certificates, health cards, and TB screening clearances.
Are Abu Dhabi nursery regulations different from Dubai?
The federal framework (Law 51) applies everywhere, but Abu Dhabi (ADEK) has introduced 27 additional policies for nurseries covering areas from settling-in protocols to food menus. Dubai (KHDA) has a Quality Framework but is not yet conducting formal inspections.