A recent regulation introduced by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has generated mixed responses among parents and nursery owners. The policy, which takes effect during the 2024-2025 academic year and will become mandatory in the 2025-2026 school year, permits nurseries to enroll children as young as one day old.
Under the updated guidelines, children can now be enrolled in nurseries at any age between one day and four years. The aim of the policy is to ensure equitable access to early education for all children. However, the decision has raised concerns among some parents, particularly regarding the appropriateness of placing newborns in nurseries so soon after birth.
Rami Hammadi, a father of a 47-day-old baby, expressed strong disapproval of the new rule, arguing that newborns should be kept at home with their mothers during the early months. “I believe babies need their mothers in the early stages, especially given the adequate maternity leave provided by the UAE government,” said Hammadi, emphasizing the importance of breastfeeding over formula feeding.
Similarly, Oussama Mohamad, another father, believes that young children do not need formal education before the age of four. "They should focus on eating, playing, and bonding with their parents," said Mohamad, noting that he never enrolled his own children in nurseries, considering it an unnecessary expense.
On the other hand, some parents, especially those without family support, see the policy as beneficial. Emirati mother Fatima A. called the policy "quite logical," particularly for working parents who lack family assistance. She explained that while she didn’t send her own children to nursery until they were two, she understood the need for such services among parents without local family support.
New mother Maryam, who recently gave birth, agreed with Fatima, suggesting that the change could be a relief for parents who are unable to rely on family members for childcare. However, she also stressed that, for her, the right time to send a child to nursery would be after one year, when children are more capable of socializing with peers.
Some nursery owners, like Ghada Abu Assi, the manager of Super Nanny Nursery, expressed skepticism about the idea of mothers enrolling their newborns immediately after birth but confirmed that their facilities are equipped to accommodate infants. “We are prepared to accept babies from day one, but it’s not something I expect many mothers to opt for,” said Abu Assi.
Other nursery owners, such as Afnan Kittineh of My Soft Steps Centre, raised concerns about the specialized care needed for newborns, particularly in the early weeks of life. Kittineh emphasized the need for trained staff and the proper environment to ensure the wellbeing of such young children.
While the new regulation has been met with a mix of approval and skepticism, it highlights the ongoing debate about the role of early education and childcare in the UAE. As the policy comes into effect, it remains to be seen how it will impact parents, nurseries, and the broader community.
