Dubai: The private Early Childhood Centers in Dubai have registered a significant 16% increase in enrollment during the 2023-24 academic year, reports the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
Surge in enrollments and growing popularity
This growing popularity of the centers among parents has led to the opening of 25 new centers so far this year, bringing the total to 274.
The total enrollment in these centers is 27,490 children. Over 2,574 of them are Emirati children. Children from over 20 different nationalities are also enrolled. The centers cater to 1,240 children of determination as well.
The majority of children (69%) enrolled are between two and four years old. Nearly 80% attend five days a week.
Focus on quality education and development
Director General Aisha Miran said, "Early Childhood Centers play a crucial role in nurturing our children during their formative years. Providing high-quality early education is essential to support children's cognitive, social, and emotional development, laying the foundation for lifelong success.
Parents are becoming increasingly aware of their children's developmental needs and the importance of early childhood education in meeting those needs."
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Investing in early learning
Renowned for providing top-tier education, these centers offer rich and meaningful learning experiences for children. Research shows that children who begin their learning journey early score higher in mathematics, science, and reading compared to children who start schooling later.
Curriculums, languages, and support
The centers offer 16 different curricula, with the most popular being the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum from the UK, followed by the Montessori curriculum and the US curriculum. Children are taught in English, Arabic, French, Swedish, and other languages.
The centers employ more than 1,719 teachers and 2,500 teaching assistants.
Finding the right center for your child
Parents can use the directory on the KHDA website and mobile app to search for early childhood centers based on location, fees, and other criteria.