Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge plans to increase Al Ghad nursery capacity to 12,000 by 2029, focusing on promoting Arabic language, Emirati culture, and creating new jobs for Emirati women in early childhood education.
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge is expanding Al Ghad nurseries across the emirate, with the aim of lifting total capacity to 12,000 places by 2029. According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, the plan is designed to give more Emirati children access to subsidised early years education in settings that emphasise Arabic, Emirati culture, values and national identity.
The network will be developed in three phases, with new sites prioritised for areas with high numbers of Emirati children in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. The nurseries currently serve children in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and cater to UAE nationals and children of Emirati mothers within designated catchment areas, with priority given to the children of working mothers. Eligible families pay a nominal fee of 800 dirhams a month, while some groups are exempt, including low-income households registered with the Social Support Authority and certain families with additional needs.
Early results from the programme suggest the model is already having an effect. ADEK said 94% of participating children reached the expected Arabic-language readiness level, while developmental screening helped identify children needing extra support; 76% of those children then made measurable progress after intervention. The department said the nursery model is intended to help children’s language, social and emotional development at a crucial stage, while also allowing concerns to be identified early enough to make a difference.
The expansion is also expected to create jobs for Emirati women in early childhood education. ADEK said it is aiming to generate more than 1,000 additional opportunities as the network grows, adding that bringing more Emirati educators into nursery settings will further strengthen Arabic, national identity and UAE values during children’s formative years.
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