How to Start a Child Care Center in Dubai UAE?

The UAE is witnessing an increasing demand for quality early childhood education and child care services. With more dual-income families, expats with young children, and an emphasis on early learning, child care centers in Dubai are more than just businesses—they are a necessity.

Establishing a child care center, nursery, or early learning facility in Dubai involves strict regulations, licensing protocols, and compliance with educational and health standards. But with the right strategy and a trusted business advisory partner like Aviaan, you can build a successful and compliant operation that serves families and enriches communities.

Why Start a Child Care Center in Dubai?

Dubai’s growing population and family-centric communities create an ideal environment for launching a licensed nursery or child care center. Here are key reasons why this sector is thriving:

1. High Demand from Working Parents

Dubai has a large population of working parents, both expats and nationals, who require trustworthy, professional child care services for children under the age of 6.

2. Supportive Government Policies

The UAE government promotes child development through regulatory oversight by entities like the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

3. Expat-Driven Need for Diverse Curricula

Many expat families look for child care providers offering international curricula such as British EYFS, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or bilingual programs.

4. Real Estate and Community Infrastructure

Dubai’s master-planned communities like Dubai Hills, Arabian Ranches, JVC, and Mirdif are perfect locations for early childhood centers due to their family-oriented populations.

Common Types of Child Care Centers You Can Open

Depending on your goals and market, you can choose to start:

Daycare Center (Ages 1–6)
Nursery / Preschool (With learning-based curriculum)
Montessori Child Center
Special Needs Early Intervention Centers
Corporate Child Care Facilities (On-site at companies)
Home-Based Child Care (With limited capacity, needs special licensing)

Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Child Care Center in Dubai

Step 1: Conduct Market Research and Business Planning

Before starting, evaluate:

Demand in the target community or area
Competition in the vicinity
Types of curriculums in demand (Montessori, EYFS, etc.)
Pricing benchmarks and service expectations

Aviaan helps conduct feasibility studies, competitive analysis, and build a realistic financial plan tailored for Dubai’s education sector.

Step 2: Choose a Legal Structure and Location

There are two main licensing options for a child care facility in Dubai:

A. Mainland License – Department of Economic Development (DED) + Ministry of Education

Suitable for nurseries and learning centers located within residential or commercial buildings.
Requires local Emirati service agent (LSA).
Strict zoning and building compliance.

B. Free Zone License – e.g., Dubai Knowledge Park or Dubai South

Lower startup costs
Ideal for niche early learning programs (language, art, music, etc.)
Limited in offering full-time daycare

Aviaan guides you in selecting the right jurisdiction, acquiring space that meets MOE/KHDA specifications, and managing the full setup process.

Step 3: Apply for Nursery or Child Care Center License

You need to apply to both the Ministry of Education and the DED (or relevant free zone authority).

Essential documents include:

Business plan with curriculum details
Floor plan showing activity zones, play areas, classrooms
Details of the managing director and educational qualifications
Staff recruitment plan
Health and safety certifications

Aviaan manages the end-to-end license approval, including all submissions to KHDA, MOE, and the DED.

Step 4: Select or Renovate a Facility

Requirements for facility layout include:

Child-friendly interiors
Separate nap rooms, play zones, and classrooms
Outdoor play area (mandatory for some age groups)
Secure entry, CCTV, and emergency exits
Adequate ventilation, hygiene, and washroom facilities

Aviaan collaborates with architects and fit-out experts to design and modify your premises per MOE/KHDA guidelines.

Step 5: Recruit Qualified Staff and Teachers

Key roles to hire include:

Nursery Manager (KHDA-approved)
Early Years Educators
Assistant Caregivers
Nurse and Health Officer (licensed)
Security and Admin personnel

All staff need to be approved by KHDA, hold relevant qualifications, and undergo background checks.

Aviaan assists with HR policy drafting, recruitment consulting, and visa processing for all employees.

Step 6: Set Up Operational and Legal Compliance

Key elements of operational setup:

Registration and admission process
Child protection policy
Curriculum plan and daily schedule
Parent communication system
Fee structure and refund policy
Health and emergency protocols

You’ll also need to:

Register for VAT (if exceeding turnover threshold)
Maintain bookkeeping and accounting systems
Get insurance coverage (liability, property, staff, and health)

Aviaan provides full financial and operational compliance support, including accounting software setup, VAT registration, and audit readiness.

Step 7: Develop a Brand and Marketing Plan

Your success depends on visibility and trust. Aviaan helps you:

Create a professional brand identity (logo, signage, theme)
Build an informative and mobile-friendly website
Register your business on Google My Business, Edarabia, and local parenting directories
Launch digital campaigns (Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram)
Organize open houses and community engagement events

Case Study 1: Launching a British Curriculum Nursery in Jumeirah

Client: A UK-licensed early childhood educator with 10 years of experience

Objective: Open a premium British EYFS-based nursery in Jumeirah for children aged 2–5

Challenges:

Obtaining MOE approval for curriculum and facility layout
Navigating DED licensing while ensuring zoning compliance
Recruitment of qualified teachers from the UK

Aviaan’s Solutions:

Facilitated DED registration and Ministry of Education approvals
Managed the entire facility fit-out with approved safety standards
Supported HR and visa documentation for teachers
Set up an integrated ERP and parent communication portal

Results:

The center launched within 120 days
Achieved 90% seat occupancy within the first two terms
Earned strong word-of-mouth through Aviaan’s branding assistance

Case Study 2: Montessori Child Care Center in Dubai Hills

Client: Entrepreneur and investor with limited background in early education

Objective: Open a community-based child care facility for 1–4-year-olds

Challenges:

Understanding licensing requirements without prior experience
Ensuring financial feasibility and cash flow planning
Lack of educational staff contacts

Aviaan’s Solutions:

Created a comprehensive business model with projected ROI
Facilitated all licensing and compliance procedures
Hired a Montessori-certified educational director
Set up cloud-based accounting and admissions system

Results:

Achieved breakeven in the first academic year
Built a community reputation as a safe, nurturing center

How Aviaan Supports Your Child Care Business Journey

Aviaan is your one-stop partner for setting up, growing, and sustaining a child care center in Dubai.

Strategic Planning

Market research and feasibility reports
Curriculum planning assistance
Business model and fee structure design

Licensing & Formation

DED or Free Zone setup
MOE/KHDA documentation and coordination
LSA, lease, Ejari, and legal compliance

Facility & HR

Real estate selection
Interior design and compliance fit-out
Recruitment of educators, caregivers, nurses

Finance & Compliance

VAT registration and filing
Payroll and accounting setup
Internal audit and financial reporting

Marketing & Branding

Website and SEO
Digital marketing campaigns
Parent engagement and lead generation

Keywords Targeted in This Blog

Start a nursery in Dubai
Child care license UAE
Nursery setup Dubai requirements
KHDA nursery license process
Ministry of Education child care approval
Daycare business setup UAE
Early learning center Dubai
Montessori preschool Dubai
Aviaan child care business consultant
Child care center formation services Dubai

Conclusion: Shape the Future with a Quality Child Care Center in Dubai

Dubai’s child care sector offers both emotional fulfillment and commercial potential. Whether you want to open a nursery, daycare, or early learning center, success comes from aligning your vision with compliance, trust, and operational excellence.

Aviaan ensures your journey is smooth, professional, and strategically sound—from licensing to operations, staffing, and growth.