Dubai Early Childhood Enrolment Rises 8% in One Year

Dubai’s youngest learners are stepping into classrooms in greater numbers than ever before. Enrolment at private early childhood centres (ECCs) grew by 8% between June 2024 and June 2025, with more than 29,600 children now registered across the city.

Figures from Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) show the sector expanded rapidly over the past year, with 38 new centres opening their doors. This brings the total number of ECCs in Dubai to 312, caring for children from birth to six years old, including over 2,400 Emirati children.

Among the new openings are Al Freej Nurseries, designed to serve Emirati families in neighbourhoods across the city. Established in partnership with the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, the nurseries will focus on nurturing Islamic values and Emirati traditions alongside early learning.

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The pace of expansion is faster than the year before, a sign of the sector’s growing appeal and capacity to meet family demand. Some existing centres have also adapted by lowering their age range to welcome younger children, underscoring the flexibility of early years providers.

Dubai’s early childhood sector is also one of the most diverse in the world. Children come from 163 different nationalities, with Indian, British, and Emirati children forming the largest groups. Parents can choose from 17 curricula, with the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage proving the most popular. Nearly half of all centres care for children from more than 20 nationalities, reflecting the city’s global character.

To support this growth, the sector now employs more than 2,500 teachers and 2,600 teaching assistants. Families can search for centres by location, fees, and curriculum through KHDA’s online directory and mobile app, ensuring greater transparency and choice.

With rising enrolments, expanding facilities, and new nurseries dedicated to cultural values, Dubai’s early childhood landscape continues to evolve—giving families more opportunities to shape the first chapter of their children’s education journey.