Nearly 250 centres care for more than 23,500 children, 3000 more than this time last year 

Dubai, Jan 3, 2024: More parents than ever are choosing early childhood centres in Dubai to give their children a head start, according to figures released by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).  

The latest data on Dubai’s private early childhood centres shows a 15% increase in the number of children enrolled, echoing the 12% record enrolment growth reported by Dubai private schools earlier this academic year. Nearly 250 centres – 27 of which have opened in the previous 12 months – care for more than 23,500 children, 3,000 more than this time last year.  

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director general of KHDA says, “The enrolment growth we have seen in the past year is a clear indication of the effort centres have made to improve quality, and of the trust that parents have placed in early childhood centres to provide children with rich learning experiences.” 

The data also points to the diversity in early childhood centres in Dubai. Parents can choose from centres offering 14 different curricula and learning approaches, with Arabic, English, French, Spanish or Russian, among others, as the main language of instruction. A majority of centres have children from up to 20 different nationalities enrolled, while some centres have more than 41 different nationalities.   

A majority of children enrolled – 66% – are between two and four years old. Nearly 80% of children attend five days a week.