Abu Dhabi to expand Al Ghad Nurseries to 12,000 seats by 2029

Abu Dhabi plans to triple the capacity of Al Ghad Nurseries, increasing the number of seats to 12,000 by 2029, according to the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). This expansion aims to provide high-quality, subsidized early childhood education to thousands more Emirati children aged 2-4, fostering their cognitive, social, and emotional development through an environment rooted in Arabic language, Emirati culture, and values.

The expansion will unfold in three phases, prioritizing areas with a significant number of Emirati children across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra. This initiative aims to improve access to early childhood education throughout the emirate. Early years are crucial for a child's development, and Al Ghad Nurseries are designed to capitalize on this stage, helping children develop language, communication, social, and learning skills while identifying and addressing potential developmental or learning needs early on.

To date, 94 percent of participating children have achieved targeted Arabic-language readiness levels, and developmental screenings have shown that 76 percent of children requiring additional support have demonstrated measurable progress after intervention. Al Ghad Nurseries currently serve UAE nationals and children of Emirati mothers living within designated areas, prioritizing children of working mothers.

Eligible families can enroll their children for a nominal fee of Dh800 per month, with exemptions for low-income families, children needing additional support, the fifth child in larger families, and children of working mothers without domestic help.

The expansion will also create over 1,000 new career opportunities for Emirati women in the early childhood sector, building upon the existing employment opportunities supported by dedicated training and professional development pathways. By increasing the number of Emirati educators, ADEK aims to reinforce Arabic language, national identity, and UAE values during children's formative years, bolstering their holistic development and enabling early identification of learning needs, thus strengthening family wellbeing and laying a strong foundation for each child's success in school and beyond.