Scholarship and monthly stipend… The National Academy for Childhood opens registration for the professional diploma

The National Academy for Child Development announced the opening of registration for the fourth batch of the Accredited Professional Diploma Program in Childhood Development, during the period from April 20 to May 4, 2026, as part of its ongoing efforts to prepare specialized national cadres who contribute to the development of the childhood development sector and provide it with qualified competencies.

In detail, the program is presented entirely in Arabic, emphasizing its role as an essential component of the educational process, which contributes to consolidating its presence in modern professional fields and strengthening its connection to national identity. The program provides those accepted with a full scholarship, in addition to a monthly stipend, to support their educational career and motivate them to excel.

The Professional Diploma Program in Childhood Development, accredited by the National Qualifications Centre, provides an integrated educational experience concerned with preparing qualified cadres of caregivers, combining professional education and practical application, with a special focus on consolidating national identity and promoting the Arabic language.

The program extends for 18 months and includes 25 accredited skill, knowledge and applied units, distributed over five stages, including 20 units offered during the study at the academy’s headquarters, and five units during the field training period extending for six months. The program covers main topics that include theories of child development and their practical applications, understanding child behavior, protection and well-being, and mechanisms for working with families, in addition to Emirati culture and heritage, and strengthening national identity, with a focus on the Arabic language.

After completing the academic stage at the academy, students move on to field training for a period of six months in a number of partner agencies in the government and private sectors, including the Department of Education and Knowledge, the Zayed Authority for People of Determination, and the Family Welfare Authority, which contributes to enabling them to gain practical experience, hone their skills, and apply what they have learned in realistic work environments.

The program has succeeded in establishing its position as one of the most prominent specialized professional paths in this field, in light of the increasing demand for enrollment and the growing interest in qualifying caregivers according to scientific and professional foundations that contribute to supporting the child’s growth and development. Since its launch, the program has witnessed a wide turnout, as over the past three years it attracted more than 22,500 registration applications, with only 304 applicants being accepted, equivalent to 1.35% of the total applications, an indicator that reflects a high level of competitiveness and a precise methodology in selecting candidates.

The program continues to record an increasing attendance of Emirati citizens, with the number of enrollment exceeding 114 members, an indication of the high level of awareness of the importance of this specialization, and the role of national competencies in supporting the childhood development system and enhancing its sustainability.

The Academy urges those wishing to enroll in the accredited professional diploma program in childhood development to apply through its official website or through the unified registration system “Nabo”, until May 4, 2026. Via: