Allowing children to be registered in nurseries from the age of “one day” in Abu Dhabi

The Department of Education and Knowledge – Abu Dhabi has allowed the registration of children in nurseries after completing one day of the newborn’s life, in accordance with the new policy for admission to early education institutions, which begins to be implemented in the academic year 2025-2026, stressing that early education institutions (nurseries) will be obligated Fairness, transparency and non-discrimination, so that no child is refused admission unless the maximum number of registered children is reached.

In detail, the department explained that the new policy, a copy of which was obtained by Emirates Today, sets the necessary standards to establish a fair admission system that provides equal opportunities for all children. It also regulates the requirements for admission, registration, and placement determination in early education institutions by enacting clear and effective admission procedures, and establishing Specific targets for all partners (early education institution management and staff, parents, regulators, service providers, and others).

The department obligated all early education institutions to develop and implement an admission policy, which must clearly define three objectives, including: admission standards and procedures, the data and information required for admission, the documents necessary for registration, in addition to the method of keeping admission records, stressing that education institutions must Early implementation of admission procedures based on fairness, transparency and non-discrimination, so that no child is refused admission unless the maximum number of registered children is reached, to achieve The institution thus achieves the justice and equality called for by the Federal Law on the Rights of the Child (Wadeema) and its executive regulations.

She stressed the need for early education institutions to adhere to the principles of the federal law regarding the rights of people with disabilities (people of determination) and its amendments, and to ensure that children with additional educational needs are not deprived of a seat in the chosen educational institution as long as the institution has the ability to accommodate them in the appropriate age group, in addition to not refusing Any child or refusal to accept him due to not having a vaccination card or not meeting all the necessary vaccination record requirements, as these children must be accepted with the condition that the early education institution be provided with proof of receiving all necessary vaccinations during the year in which they were enrolled. The child is admitted to the institution, according to the child’s age. However, if the child’s guardian does not want to vaccinate him and explains that he does not intend to do so, the Early Education Foundation refers the decision to accept the child to the Department of Education and Knowledge and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.

The Department of Education and Knowledge said: “Early education institutions must specify the age groups covered by the institution’s services, according to the license issued. The child’s age when he joins the early education institution must be older than one day and not exceed four years. Early education institutions grant admission to Application basis, but it has the right to apply priorities in granting admission if the number of applications exceeds the number of available seats, and these priorities must be specified in the admission policy it adopts. The institution.

200 nurseries

The Department of Education and Knowledge confirmed that quality early education services play a pivotal role in children’s growth and academic development, as students enrolled in early education record an improvement of up to 70% in their performance in language and mathematics, in addition to improving their social skills and consolidating national identity among Emirati students in the country. from an early age, and enhancing their opportunities to learn the Arabic language, noting that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi includes 200 private nurseries, implementing more than four curricula specifically designed to suit With children, there is a difference in registration and enrollment fees for nurseries in the emirate depending on the type of nursery and the equipment available in it.

“Education and knowledge”:

. Early education institutions may not reject any child unless the maximum number of registered children is reached.