Dubai’s early childhood education sector has hit a new milestone with 20,000 children of 58 different nationalities currently enrolled in 226 early childhood centres (ECCs). The latest report of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority's (KHDA) revealed that these centres cater to pre-schoolers aged between 45 days and six years. The KHDA said the milestone underscores Dubai’s cultural diversity and its vibrant education ecosystem.

According to the KHDA, pre-schoolers, aged between 45 days and six years, are supported and nurtured by more than 1,300 teachers and 1,900 teaching assistants at the ECCs across Dubai. Data shared by the KHDA revealed 70 percent of children enrolled in Dubai’s private early childhood centres were in the 2-4 age group. It also showed that the emirate’s Jumeirah district had the most ECCs (78), followed by Hadaeq Mohammed Bin Rashid (38) and Deira (25).

Parents of young children can choose from 13 different early childhood curricula currently offered by Dubai’s ECCs. Most ECCs offer the Early Years Foundation Stages curriculum, while other options include Montessori, IPC, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian and several other curricula. Parents can search for early childhood centres on the KHDA’s digital directory, available through the education regulator’s website and app.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Director General of the KHDA said, “Dubai is a future-focused city, and its future lies in cultivating our children’s well-being, their sense of wonder and their love of learning.” He further added, “Everyone benefits when every parent of a young child in Dubai has access to high-quality education for their children. ECCs benefit from enrollment growth; parents benefit from the peace of mind that their children are being cared for and nurtured; and children benefit from learning and playing in a positive and supportive environment.”