Surge in Enrolments for Private Early Childhood Education in Dubai

Dubai Sees Surge in Early Childhood Education Enrolments

Dubai is experiencing a notable increase in private early childhood education enrolments, signaling a strong commitment to prioritizing early childhood development. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai has reported a significant 16 percent rise in private early childhood education enrolments for the 2023-24 academic year. This surge can be attributed to Dubai’s reputation for providing high-quality and trusted education to its residents.

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

Diversity and inclusion are key priorities in Dubai’s early childhood education system. According to data from the KHDA, 134 centers currently cater to children from over 20 nationalities, with one particular center accommodating students from an impressive 65 nationalities. The diverse 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 dedication to comprehensive early childhood education is highlighted by the enrollment of 27,000 children, including 2,574 Emirati children and 1,240 children with special needs. This diverse enrollment breakdown reflects the multicultural nature of Dubai’s population and the emphasis on providing equal educational opportunities for all children.

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

The KHDA places a strong emphasis on the value of early childhood education through high 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 and 79 percent attending for five days a week. This regular attendance underscores the importance of early childhood education in Dubai.

With a workforce 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-served in terms of language instruction.

The strategic placement of early childhood centers across Dubai, including in key areas such as Jumeirah, Deira, and Bur Dubai, aims to provide families from all parts of the emirate with access to quality early childhood education. This geographical spread underscores the commitment to offering a solid educational foundation to children at an early age.

In summary, the substantial increase in private early childhood education enrolments in Dubai for the 2023-24 academic year reflects the emirate’s strong dedication to delivering high-quality and inclusive education to children from diverse backgrounds. This rise in enrolments, coupled with the establishment of new ECCs and the adoption of diverse curricula, solidifies Dubai’s position as a frontrunner in early childhood education in the region.