Childcare facilities
As per the statistics published on the website of Ministry of Community Development, the number of nurseries in the UAE in 2014 was 497; they had 35,552 children registered. After the restructuring of the federal government in early 2016, licensing nurseries lies with Ministry of Education.
The childcare provider should be licensed to function so in accordance with the prevailing laws. A number of procedures and legislations are adopted to ensure the highest quality of nurseries, provided they are equipped in a manner that produces a pleasant setting satisfying the needs of children and stimulating their physical, intellectual, emotional and social development.
In addition, the childcare building should be a safe and healthy setting that comprises ample indoor and outdoor areas proportional to the number and ages of children. The provider must ensure safety and security against risks both indoor and outdoor and that all staff are fully aware of the safety and security requirements and procedures.
Nurseries in public offices
Many new mothers with government jobs are required to return to work when their children are as young as six weeks old, prompting many to resign or take long-term leave. In 2006, the UAE Cabinet addressed this issue by ordering all federal and local government departments with more than 50 women Emirati staff or where the women Emirati staff collectively have more than 20 children, to offer on-site nurseries.
The directive to establish on-site nurseries aims to support working women and lead them to be more productive by providing them the comfort of having their children in a facility close by which is safe and offers a nurturing environment.
AAU Celebrates UAE Children’s Day
https://aau.ac.ae/en/news/2019/aau-celebrates-uae-children%E2%80%99s-day
In cooperation with Teddy’s Inn nursery, the Deanship of Student Affairs at Al Ain University, Al Ain Campus, celebrated the UAE Children’s Day which coincides on 15th March every year, by hosting a group of children between the ages of two and four years to spend enjoyable times with the Deanship of Student Affairs team.
The event included various recreational activities such as painting, colouring, story reading, face painting, nail polish and recreational games. And, it was concluded by distributing gifts.
The aim of the event was to spread happiness among children.
Childcare at AAU
Teddy Inn Nursery
Al Ain University has built its own childcare in the university facilities. This childcare is free of charge, and for the students, academic and admin staff. The childcare specifications are as follows:
- The daycare is in the first floor.
- The capacity of the daycare is for 25 kids.
- The size of the daycare is 240 SQM
- It contains several toys, TV, playground, dining tables and 6 beds.
Mission
Our mission at the is to foster the upbringing of creative happy children who enjoy life’s pleasures in an atmosphere of fun. We discover their best attributes and nurture their confidence by surrounding them with care through providing high quality service and the health, physical and mental care necessary for all aspects of their life.
Objectives
The objectives of childcare are to:
- Provide a healthy and stimulating environment appropriate to children for learning, play, self-discovery and self-development.
- Strengthen the positive values of children so that they feel joy and happiness.
- Build in children a sense of creativity and develop their various physical senses according to the stages of natural child development.
- Teach children to value a love for learning and knowledge by providing lots of love, encouragement and reassurance.
- Strengthen the child’s ability to grow and learn by applying the highest quality of early child care.
- Reinforce the child’s social skills through interaction, cooperation, group participation, and by encouraging them to be good listeners, take turns and form relationships.
- Provide children an opportunity to develop their motor skills through physical activities.
- Develop the child’s imagination using developmental activities that encourage them to express various concepts and develop their ability to exchange ideas and feelings.
- Be fully committed to the health and nutrition of children.
- Focus on the child’s development including numerous aspects of social, physical, mental, cultural and emotional growth.
- Support the child’s needs and give them an opportunity to make a smooth transition from the nursery to kindergarten.
- Teach children to adapt easily to new people and new situations.
- Develop the human, material and educational potential and capabilities of the Nursery to contribute to the development of healthy children, mentally, physically and educationally, in order to pave the way for a bright and prosperous future in the early years of their lives.
DAILY ACTIVITIES
- The professionals (your child’s 2nd home) is not a school. All activities are, however, introduced within the framework of programs, early-educational activities and learning from play.
- The professionals accept children from all nationalities and religious backgrounds, which helps your child develop social skills in a multi-cultural setting.
- Children learn manners and good behavior, morals and customs.
- Children learn the principles of health education, proper health practices (healthy food vs. junk food, how to wash hands properly, how to brush teeth, personal hygiene, keeping the play areas and nursery neat and clean, etc.)
- Children learn about objects in their surrounding environment through a variety of daily activities.
- Children sing songs and recite meaningful and fun poetry.
- The professionals provide daily activities using colors and clay so that children gain cognitive and motor skills in the professionals’ classrooms or indoor play area and outdoors in the safety-proofed playground at scheduled times.
- Children make various types of simple dishes with the help of someone in charge such as making pastries, sandwiches, juices, fruit salad, vegetables and yogurt, mashed potatoes and more.
- Children participate in sports activities, contests, group play outdoors, physical activities and dance.
- Children act in plays, play the role of traditional characters, and narrate international stories in both English and Arabic, watch educational videos, listen to cassettes, enjoy puppet theatres and music, wear costumes, etc.
- All themes and projects are based upon aspects of interest to children such as the environment, animals, transportation, jobs, and much more, which are linked to local and world events.
Early childhood development and care
The UAE gives top priority to the welfare of children in the age group of 0 to 8 years. Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Community Development, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Prevention are the federal entities that undertake protection of children.
Entities for early child development and care
At the federal level, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Community Development, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health and Prevention undertake protection of children.
In Abu Dhabi, the following government entities support child welfare:
- Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA)
- Department of community Development
- Social Care and Minors Affairs Foundation.
In Dubai,
in Sharjah,
- Child Safety Department support child welfare.
Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA)
Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) aims to create a high-quality early childhood development system in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It aims to include health and nutrition, child protection, family support, early care and education in its scope of work.
ECA defines early childhood as the period from when a baby is conceived to when he reaches eight years. Established in 2019, the entity is mainly responsible for the following:
- developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy for early childhood development in the emirate of Abu Dhabi
- reviewing and evaluating policies and programmes related to early childhood in coordination with the relevant entities
- proposing legislation, policies and regulations related to early childhood
- conducting research and specialised studies in the field of early childhood development
- reviewing best practices locally, regionally and internationally and proposing strategic solutions and recommendations to be applied in the field.