KHDA’s new Early Childhood Framework sets clearer standards for learning, safety and care across Dubai nurseries
Dubai’s early years sector is entering a new chapter.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has released a comprehensive Quality Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)—the emirate’s first unified benchmark for nurseries, preschools and school-based early years settings.
The new framework outlines exactly what “quality” should look like for the youngest learners, covering curriculum and wellbeing, partnerships with families, safety, and leadership. For parents, it brings long-awaited clarity and consistency across a fast-growing sector.
Aligned with Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy and the Dubai Social Agenda, the framework reflects the emirate’s ambition to nurture confident, curious and culturally grounded children from the very start of their learning journey.
Below, we break down what’s changing, why it matters and what this means for your family.
What is KHDA’s new Quality Framework?
Developed in consultation with early childhood experts and practitioners, the framework serves as a citywide quality benchmark, helping nurseries improve and align their offerings with shared expectations.
It aims to ensure that every child—regardless of centre or curriculum—experiences a nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally suitable environment.
It is built around the concept of the Dubai Child:
“A global child living a local life – an active, capable, curious, happy and inquiring learner, growing in identity, language and culture, and contributing to the rich tapestry of the UAE.”
(KHDA Quality Framework)
This vision underpins all areas of practice, from teaching approaches and environment design to safeguarding and leadership.
Five key domains every Dubai nursery must meet
KHDA’s framework outlines five interconnected quality domains that define best early years practice.
- Learning and curriculum
This domain focuses on how children learn and how educators design and deliver the curriculum. Standards include:
• intentional, child-centred teaching
• valuing children’s languages, cultures and identities
• play-based, inquiry-led learning
• ongoing assessment and family-informed planning
- Partnership with families
Nurseries must demonstrate:
• open, two-way communication
• shared decision-making
• strong home–school connections
• inclusion and cultural responsiveness
- Learning environment
Centres must offer:
• warm, flexible, inviting spaces
• resources reflecting children’s home cultures
• safe, purposeful use of digital tools
• rich sensory and exploratory environments
- Health, safeguarding and wellbeing
Standards include:
• robust safeguarding systems
• physical and emotional safety
• rigorous hygiene and sanitation
• nutrition and mealtime guidance
- System leadership
Nurseries are required to show:
• effective leadership and governance
• strong staff development
• accountability and evaluation systems
• evidence-based improvement planning
Together, these domains provide a holistic definition of high-quality early years practice.
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New guidelines parents should know about
While the full framework is extensive, several updates stand out for families.
Updated staff-to-child ratios
KHDA has set age-appropriate ratios to ensure adequate supervision, such as:
• 1:5 ratio for children aged 18–35 months
These reduced ratios support more attentive, responsive care.
Stricter staff qualifications
All educators and assistants must now meet defined qualification levels, ensuring they are trained specifically for early childhood development.
Clearer expectations for learning and curriculum
Nurseries must provide:
• play-based, inquiry-led learning
• meaningful language experiences, including Arabic
• personalised learning aligned with children’s interests
Health and safety enhancements
New measures include:
• strengthened infection control and hygiene procedures
• mandatory temperature checks
• enhanced security protocols
• robust sanitation and nutrition policies
Responsible digital technology use
Nurseries must:
• follow KHDA guidance on age-appropriate daily screen time
• work with parents to manage children’s total exposure
• ensure safe digital use and data protection
These measures respond to growing global concerns about screen time in early childhood.
Will nurseries be inspected or rated?
Not yet.
KHDA has clarified that this framework is currently a developmental and reflective tool, not an inspection regime. However, it:
“lays the foundation for a future quality assurance system for early childhood centres.”
This means inspections or ratings may be introduced later, once nurseries have adapted to the new standards.
What this means for parents in Dubai
For families, the new framework brings much-needed clarity and consistency to Dubai’s nursery landscape.
With unified expectations across centres, parents can feel more confident comparing provision and understanding what quality should look like. The stronger emphasis on safeguarding and emotional wellbeing means children will learn in more nurturing, secure environments, while clearer hygiene and safety procedures offer added reassurance.
Parents will also have a more active voice, with nurseries expected to provide regular, meaningful updates and involve families in decision-making and learning discussions.
And although inspections are not yet part of the process, the framework signals a shift toward greater accountability and transparency across the entire early childhood sector.
The bottom line: a stronger start for every child
Dubai’s new Quality Framework marks a significant milestone for early childhood education.
As the sector grows—now with over 27,000 young learners across 274 centres—the framework offers families confidence that nurseries are aligned with global best practice while remaining rooted in the UAE’s cultural values.
For parents navigating nursery choices, it provides a clearer picture of what high-quality early years provision should look like.
A growing nursery sector: Dubai’s early childhood landscape
Dubai’s early childhood sector continues to expand rapidly, reflecting the emirate’s youthful and diverse population.
According to KHDA’s Early Childhood Centres (ECCs) in Dubai (as of June 2024):
• 274 ECCs currently operate across Dubai
• c. 27,490 children enrolled
• 25 new centres, marking 16% growth
• 16 curricula offered, with EYFS and Montessori the most common
• Children represent 65+ nationalities
Dubai’s nursery sector is one of the most diverse globally, and the new framework aims to bring greater consistency and transparency across this varied landscape.
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