Increase in private early childhood education enrolments in Dubai

Dubai Sees Surge in Early Childhood Education Enrolments

Dubai, UAE – In a move to prioritize early childhood development, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai has reported a significant 16 percent increase in private early childhood education enrolments for the 2023-24 academic year. This rise can be attributed to Dubai’s reputation for high trust and quality education.

The surge in enrolments has been further bolstered by the launch of 25 new early childhood centers (ECCs), bringing the total number of centers to 274 across the emirate. Of these centers, 243 operate year-round, ensuring consistent access to early childhood education for children in Dubai.

Diversity and Inclusion at the Core

Data from the KHDA reveals that a total of 134 centers serve children from over 20 nationalities, with one particular center catering to children from a staggering 65 nationalities. The diversity of the student population is evident, with 54 percent of centers having up to 20 nationalities, 38 percent featuring 21-40 nationalities, and 8 percent including more than 41 nationalities.

Dubai’s commitment to inclusive and comprehensive early childhood education is exemplified by the enrollment of 27,000 children, including 2,574 Emirati children and 1,240 children of determination. This enrollment breakdown reflects the diverse demographic makeup of Dubai and the emphasis on providing equal educational opportunities for all children.

According to enrollment data, 35 percent of children are aged 2-3 years, 34 percent are 3-4 years old, 13 percent are 1-2 years old, and another 13 percent are 4-5 years old. Additionally, 2 percent of infants under one year old and 3 percent of children in the 5-6 age bracket are also part of the enrollment, showcasing the centers’ ability to cater to children across all stages of early childhood development.

Striving for Excellence

The KHDA emphasizes the value placed on early childhood education through high and regular attendance rates. An impressive 97 percent of children attend their centers for at least three days a week, with 86 percent attending at least four days a week, and 79 percent for five days a week. This consistent attendance underscores the importance of early childhood education in Dubai.

With a dedicated team of 1,719 teachers and 2,565 teaching assistants, the centers offer a diverse range of curricula to meet the educational needs of their students. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the most widely adopted curriculum, followed by the Montessori approach and other international and national curricula. The inclusion of various languages such as Arabic, English, French, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Hindi, and Urdu ensures that the multicultural community in Dubai is well catered to in terms of language instruction.

Access to Quality Education

The strategic distribution of early childhood centers across Dubai, including in prominent areas such as Jumeirah, Deira, and Bur Dubai, ensures that families from all parts of the emirate have access to quality early childhood education. This geographic spread aims to make early childhood education easily accessible to families in Dubai, further emphasizing the commitment to providing a strong educational foundation for children at a young age.

In conclusion, the significant increase in private early childhood education enrollments in Dubai for the 2023-24 academic year reflects the emirate’s dedication to providing high-quality and inclusive education to children from diverse backgrounds. This surge in enrolments, coupled with the launch of new ECCs and the adoption of diverse curricula, highlights Dubai’s position as a leader in early childhood education in the region.