Nursery License in Dubai, UAE
Dubai is one of the busiest cities in the world, not just in the United Arab Emirates. Professionals often face significant work pressure, leaving them with less time to spend with their children at home.
To ensure their children remain active and well-cared for while they are at work, parents frequently enroll them in nurseries. As a result, the nursery industry is one of Dubai’s fastest-growing sectors, making obtaining a nursery school license in Dubai highly sought after.
Given the steady increase in demand for nurseries, entering this rapidly expanding industry in Dubai is a sensible business move.
If you are interested in starting a business in this field as an entrepreneur in Dubai, this is undoubtedly the right place to be.
This post aims to provide you with all the necessary information to begin the setup process.
Rules to Follow for Nurseries in Dubai
All Dubai nurseries must adhere to the following general guidelines:
Ownership
Only UAE nationals are eligible to own a nursery. However, foreigners can open a nursery by partnering with a UAE national or setting up in a free zone.
Age Group
Children must be between 45 days and 4 years old to be enrolled in a nursery.
Management and Ownership Requirements
The manager and owner of the nursery must have a police clearance certificate.
Location Approval
KHDA mandates ground/first-floor facilities with Civil Defense clearance. Compliance visits to verify spatial safety is also required.
Regulatory Approvals
Approvals from Civil Defense, Dubai Municipality (DM), and the Ministry of Education are also necessary.
Location Restrictions
Labor housing and industrial zones are not suitable locations for nurseries.
Building Requirements
Nurseries can only be located on the ground floor or first floor of a building. Children under 18 months old must be on the ground floor.
Safety Equipment
Every nursery is required to have firefighting equipment.
Naming Requirements
The Ministry of Social Affairs will receive three proposed nursery names from you, along with their Arabic translations.
Managers
Bachelor’s degree + 3 years’ childcare experience (KHDA approval required).
Teachers
Early childhood education certification or vocational qualifications.
Ratios
| Age Group | Staff:Child Ratio |
|---|---|
|
45 days – 17 months
|
1:3
|
|
18–35 months
|
1:5
|
|
3–6 years
|
1:12
|
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Office No 20, 4th Floor, Al Moosa Tower 2,
Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai, United Arab Emirates P.O. Box 27614.
Get In touch
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info@jsbincorporation.com
Send Your Inquiry
Steps to Apply for a Marine Boat License in Dubai
Step 1: Approval from the Ministry of Education
To get approval from the UAE Ministry of Education, follow these steps:
- Application Form: Obtain the application form, which includes the owner’s personal information and project details.
- Form Submission: Fill out the form and submit it.
- Meeting: Attend a meeting with a representative from the Ministry of Education.
- Curriculum Approval: Send a photocopy of the academic plan to the Ministry and make necessary changes to the curriculum for approval.
- Building Authorization: Obtain authorization for the nursery building if all safety regulations have been met.
Step 2: Approvals from Municipality and Civil Defense
After completing Step 1, proceed with the following:
- Documentation: Submit the required paperwork to the Municipality and Civil Defense.
- Safety Inspection: A representative from the Ministry of Education will visit the nursery to issue the final building safety approval.
- Manager’s Details: Submit an independent application with the potential nursery manager’s details.
- Management Interview Approval: Obtain Ministry approval for the management interview after application submission.
Step 3: Obtaining the License from KHDA
To complete the final stage of obtaining the nursery school license in Dubai:
- Submit Documents: Use KHDA’s e-Service portal to submit all necessary documents for the Educational Services Permit.
- Initial Approval/NOC: Receive initial approval and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from KHDA, which allows you to obtain a commercial license from the relevant commercial authority.
- Compliance Inspections: Complete compliance inspections to ensure operational readiness. This includes a final visit by KHDA’s compliance team to verify the center’s readiness.
- Manager Interview: The candidate for the manager position will be invited for an interview with KHDA’s academic team.
- Permit Issuance: Once the manager is appointed and permit fees are paid, the Educational Services Permit will be issued.
- Marketing Approval: Begin your marketing campaign after obtaining prior approval from KHDA, following their Marketing and Advertising Guidelines.
Documents required for a Nursery License
The following documents are crucial for obtaining a nursery license in Dubai:
- Nursery License Application
- Passport Copy
- Photograph of the Owner
- Educational Certificate of the Owner
- Police Clearance Certificate
- Address and Location Map of the Proposed Building
- For free zones: Submit only investor passport copies and KHDA-approved floor plans
Cost of Nursery License in Dubai
To start a nursery school in Dubai, you must pay the necessary license costs. The following fees are incurred:
| Description | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
|
Professional License Fees
|
600.00
|
|
Government Cultural Fees
|
20.00
|
|
Administrative Fees
|
50.00
|
|
Non-Trade Arabic Names (Emirates, Gulf, International, Abbreviation)
|
2000.00
|
|
Maximum Trade Name Fees
|
3000.00
|
|
Name Board Permission Fees
|
350.00
|
|
Market Fees (5 percent of Building Rent)-depends on the tenancy amount
|
5500.00
|
|
Public Waste Service Fees
|
2000.00
|
|
Knowledge Fees (Municipality)
|
20.00
|
|
Service Improvement Fees (Professional)
|
80.00
|
|
Local Fees-Professional License
|
100.00
|
|
Permit issuance
|
10,000
|
|
Renewal
|
5,000 Anually
|
|
Municipal fees
|
Separate charges apply (e.g., AED 350 for name board approval)
|
|
Civil Defence Fees
|
500.00
|
How JSB Incorporation Can Help
Starting a nursery in Dubai requires thorough preparation and adherence to regulations. JSB Incorporation’s knowledgeable business advisors can assist you with:
- Legal and Regulatory Approvals
- Business Plan Drafting and Submission
- Location Selection and Infrastructure Setup
- Staff Hiring and Compliance with Education Standards
- End-to-End License Application and Approvals
If you are ready to operate a nursery in Dubai, JSB Incorporation can help you at every stage. Contact us today for professional assistance in obtaining your nursery license in Dubai without any hassles.
Book your free consultation call today with the experts of JSB Incorporation to get started.
FAQs
Yes, expatriates can open a nursery by partnering with a local sponsor or setting up in a free zone.
KHDA’s streamlined process takes 16 working days for permit issuance after document submission. Delays occur only if applications are incomplete.
Yes, Dubai Municipality, Civil Defense, and the KHDA approvals are mandatory for operations.
Yes, you must have a dedicated, KHDA-approved facility that meets safety and educational standards.
Children aged 45 days to 6 years (71 months) can now enroll in nurseries, aligning with KHDA’s 2025 admission guidelines.
Don't miss out on this limited-time opportunity!
We'd Love To Hear From You
contact us
Find us Here
Office No 20, 4th Floor, Al Moosa Tower 2,
Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai, United Arab Emirates P.O. Box 27614.
Get In touch
+971 4 824 4842
info@jsbincorporation.com