8% growth in the number of children in early education centers in Dubai

Acting Director of the Parent Empowerment Department at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, Noha Al Rostamani, told Emirates Today that early education centers in Dubai are witnessing a steady growth in the number of children reaching 8% annually, noting that the total number of licensed centers in the emirate has reached 312 early childhood centres, hosting more than 29,600 children in various regions of the emirate, which reflects the continuous and vital expansion of this sector.

Al Rostamani stressed, on the sidelines of the Education Expo 2025, that early education plays a vital role in building the child’s skills and abilities, and enabling him to engage in school education with confidence and flexibility.

She explained that nurseries today are working to establish a solid educational bridge linking the child to the first stage of school, through introductory programs that balance the development of social and emotional skills and academic abilities, which makes the transition from nursery to school a deliberate step supported by rehabilitation, not a sudden adventure.

She stated that “Education Expo 2025” reflects the comprehensive educational vision of the Emirate of Dubai, which sees early childhood as a strategic investment in human capital. Every educational initiative and every activity in the corridors of the exhibition have one goal: for education to begin from the first step, the first letter, and the first curiosity that sparkles in the child’s eye.

“Pre-KG” curricula: The director of “My Nursery,” Hania Ali Zarrin, said that the pre-KG curricula (Pre-KG and KG1) have developed in recent years to move away from the traditional academic style, and focus on building basic executive and mental skills in children, such as concentration, organization, emotional control, cooperation, and critical thinking.

She added: “We seek to teach the child how to interact with the environment around him, and how to acquire the tools for thinking and solving problems, and not just memorization and memorization. When the child sits in school and can listen, wait for his turn, and ask in a polite manner, he will have acquired the tools for self-learning, and these skills do not come from letters, but from daily experience within the nursery.”

She explained that “the success of the transition experience from nursery to school is not measured by the number of letters the child knows, but rather by his ability to interact, discipline, and self-confidence. The more the child feels psychologically safe and socially accepted, the faster he will integrate and achieve better results in the first grades.”

For her part, Director of a group of early childhood centers in Dubai, Tatania Nargin, said that the center’s participation in “Education Expo 2025” comes within the framework of its keenness to highlight the British education experience in early childhood, in terms of focusing on interaction, innovation, and training teachers on curiosity-based education strategies.

She emphasized that introductory programs are the cornerstone of building a child’s readiness for school, as they are not limited to transferring academic knowledge only, but also focus on developing life, social and emotional skills that enable the child to adapt to the new school environment.

For her part, the educator, Aisha Abdul Rahman, confirmed that “the transition from nursery to school is no longer a gap that worries parents and teachers, but rather it is a solid rehabilitation bridge over which a new generation can cross with confidence towards their educational future.”

She added: “True quality begins with the teacher, and therefore there is an urgent need for continuous training for teaching staff to enable them to employ the latest interactive learning tools. Competition in this major regional event is not only about attracting children and showcasing programs, but rather to provide an integrated educational experience that instils in the child a love of knowledge from the first letter he learns.”

International introductory programs

According to Emirates Today’s monitoring, Dubai nurseries adopt a variety of international introductory programs, which aim to prepare children psychologically and cognitively for the transition to formal education, reflecting the diversity of the educational environment in the emirate.

The British Curriculum (EYFS) – Early Years Foundation Stage – is one of the most widespread frameworks, as it focuses on developing the seven aspects of learning, including linguistic, social, emotional, and physical development, through interactive activities based on play and exploration.

Blended learning models

Many nurseries also adopt blended educational models that combine the Montessori curriculum, the Reggio Emilia curriculum, and free play-based learning, to encourage the child to discover, experiment, and make decisions, rather than indoctrination. At the same time, specialized local programs have emerged, such as the “Transition Pathways Program,” which aims to support the transition process from nursery to school by training teachers on early preparation methods and developing children’s life skills.

Some of the nurseries participating in “Education Expo 2025” pay special attention to bilingualism, through programs that balance the Arabic and English languages ​​from the early stages, to enhance identity and cultural affiliation along with academic readiness.