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How to start a daycare business in Dubai, UAE?

How to start a daycare business in Dubai, UAE?
October 31, 2024

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UAE is a lively country, and is full of people bustling about doing their work during 2024. Dubai is home to young parents who are busy in their official duties and are not at home mostly. So, you can start a daycare business in Dubai to serve people looking for a nursery for babysitting.

After all, these busy parents are unable to hire a maid, and prefer a child care center for babysitting. Because of this, there has been a rising demand for the nursery business registration in Dubai. It is becoming one of the most sought-after businesses in the UAE.

Opening a nursery requires a business license, that only a citizen of the UAE can obtain. The foreigners can not have any stake in the nursery business, however they can work as a manager. If you’ve an interest in launching a business in Dubai, then take our sincere advice and invest in a nursery.

Process of opening a daycare business in Dubai

This is the procedure to start a daycare business in Dubai.

Next, we take a brief look on these steps.

Choose the type of daycare business

The first thing you need to decide is: what kind of daycare center you wish to own? Accordingly, look into whether you want a home-run daycare or do you want a separate space for it. Also, you may need to decide on the age group you wish to cater to.

Consider all of these factors before making any decisions. Subsequently, you will have to decide the business entity for your daycare center. It will have huge effect on your business operations and on the way you are taxed. Are you going to have business partners or not? Moreover, you should select a business entity that provides you protection.

For daycare business, making it a limited liability company might be the best choice. Since, the business will take legal responsibility in case of anything going wrong. This selection can prove helpful in any future lawsuits.

Make a business plan

Now, moving onto the next step in starting a daycare business in Dubai: making a business plan. Your business plan should include a basic outline of what your business will do. Also, it should include a summary, overview of the company, and market analysis.

It should include a financial plan that details your financial projections as well. One thing you must include is market research. Because, this research will assist in making your daycare business in Dubai a profitable one.

Acquire licenses and certifications

To start a daycare business in Dubai you may not need a masters’ degree in child care. However, you most certainly need a business license. The UAE offers a number of business licenses as per the nature of business.

For a daycare center in Dubai, the government issues an exclusive license allowing it to operate as a separate entity. Likewise, the certifications from Dubai Municipality, Directorate of Civil Defence, and the Public Health Department are necessary. Complete all this legal paperwork, to start a daycare business in Dubai.

Find a safe daycare facility

The UAE government requires the daycare business to show that it is safe for the children. Only then, the Dubai government issues a license or register the facility. This is a pre-requisite, whether you start a daycare business from your home, or buy or lease a new property.

Ensure that your chosen location meets health, safety, zoning and hazard laws laid out by the authorities. In the UAE, you have two options — free zone, or mainland. So, you can pick one which is suitable to establish your daycare business in Dubai.

Get insurance

Prevention is always better than cure. It is a cliche that we have used a million times in our life. However, it doesn’t mean that the message it carries is of no importance.

As a business owner of a daycare business in Dubai, it’s your responsibility to provide utmost childcare to these children. So, you have to ensure the safety of the children in all possible ways. It is a good idea to get insurance against all the possible risk factors.

Hire expert staff

Talent acquisition of skillful staff will help you in running your daycare business in Dubai. Make sure you do thorough background checks. So that there are no surprises later on.

Try to hire individuals who exude a loving and charming vibe and have some experience working with children. Leave a little wriggle room in your budget. So that when your daycare business takes off, you are ready for growth.

Write your daycare policies

Your daycare business policies will inform the parents from the start on things that you are willing to entertain. Also, convey them beforehand the things that are strictly off-limits.

The daycare policies should provide the parents with the complete logistical information regarding how you will run your daycare business. It should cover protocols concerning, vaccination, illness, drop-off and pick-up times, curriculum, and field trips. Also, tell them everything else of importance that you think your clients should know about your daycare center.

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Steps of getting a nursery license in Dubai

You have to go through these steps to obtain a nursery license in Dubai, UAE.

  • Get approval from the Ministry of Education, by submitting a duly filled application.
  • Submit a copy of your business and academic plan to the Ministry for review and make changes to the plans.
  • While you are getting the initial approval from the Ministry, get the location for the nursery certified from safety experts before signing a lease.
  • Acquire approval from Dubai Municipality and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), respectively.
  • Get further approval from Civil Defense and Municipality by submitting the required paperwork specified by the Ministry.
  • The MoE will conduct an on-site visit after they have given their consent.
  • Later on you can sign a lease for your preferred location.
  • Obtain permission and approval from the MoE to appoint a nursery manager.
  • Get a license from the Department of Economic Development.
Nursery license in Dubai
Nursery license in Dubai

Vital documents for acquiring nursery license in Dubai

Here, we list the legal paperwork that you need to submit for nursery license approval.

  • A copy of your passport
  • Copy of your family book
  • Education certificate of the owner
  • Police clearance certificate
  • An agreement written in Arabic stating that you will appoint a UAE national as manager — To make sure this is error free get legal translation services in Dubai
  • Address of your chosen location
  • Nursery license application signed by the applicant
  • Acquaintance document, or introductory statement (if any)

Once, you have undergone all the above tasks, you can officially start your nursery setup in Dubai.

Insight: UAE on track to post GDP growth

Need for daycare businesses

Both the male and female populations living in the UAE are either into employment, or are running their own business. This trend is creating a need for child care centers or daycare businesses. Especially, the mompreneurs need help of a nursery setup in dealing with their growing children, and new-born babies.

People who are teachers, or who love children and have experience in caring for children— and have an entrepreneurial streak. So, they can consider starting a daycare center in Dubai. This daycare setup can either run from home or they can get a special facility for it.

Either way, working in childcare sector is a stable choice for novice entrepreneurs. Particularly, as it is expecting a growth rate of 7% over the next decade. So, if you are seriously aiming to start a daycare center in Dubai, then read on.

Start a daycare business in Dubai
Start a daycare business in Dubai

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Considerations while setting up a daycare business

As always, initiating a business in Dubai irrespective of the industry and the passion for your craft alone is not enough. Similarly, you can’t guarantee that your daycare center is copacetic, either financially or legally. You have to do a fair amount of due diligence when looking to start a daycare business in Dubai.

Besides, you need to acquire business licenses and fulfill other regulatory obligations. These measures ensure that your daycare facility aligns with the UAE’s health and safety codes. Here are the things to consider before starting a nursery business setup in Dubai.

Now, we look upon these factors.

Requirements

  • Baby proofing the daycare space
  • Safe building with proper security measures
  • Qualified administration
  • A good and transparent relationship with the parents
  • Essential equipment

Rooms and classrooms

  • The classrooms and other places must be adequately ventilated and should be well-lit.
  • Walls, Floors, and ceilings must be clean and have no defects.
  • Each window in the nursery must be fitted with fine wire mesh to prevent bugs.
  • Furniture must be in excellent shape and condition as well as fit for a child to play around.
  • No usage of chalk is permitted in the classes. Use whiteboards and markers in the classes.
  • The nursery must provide suitable sleeping space for children.
  • Children must be grouped according to their age to decrease the chances of bullying and other such inconveniences.

Infrastructure

  • The nursery must be established in a quiet and calm place away from all the noise and pollution.
  • No, asbestos should be on the premises.
  • Broken electrical wires and sockets must be replaced.
  • Do not overload the electrical power sockets.
  • The walls of the building that is going to serve as a nursery must be of concrete, and the use of
  • portable cabins or wooden cabins is prohibited.
  • Make sure that the nursery is child-proof and safe.
  • Any maintenance work in the nursery must be performed after the working hours.

Activity hall

  • A hall with suitable toys for the children to play must be available on the premises.
  • Toys must be appropriately sized so that it cannot be swallowed and be hazardous for the children.
  • The toys must be sterilized, cleaned, disinfected, and stored correctly.
  • Dubai’s child care laws ban the use of toys that contain magnets or high levels of electromagnetic energy.
  • The toys must be of the highest quality.

Playgrounds

  • The playground must be safe, with proper shade where the child could rest.
  • Any sharp edges and hard areas must be enclosed.
  • The playground must be cleaned and sterilized regularly.

Bonus: Things to take care of before heading to the Dubai commercial register

Conclusion

When it comes to starting a daycare business in Dubai, it is clearly not for the faint-hearted. However, for those who adore children and like to take care of them, this is the best business for them. So, running a daycare business is incredibly rewarding.

Ensure that your nursery director is ready to start work as soon as get your final approval. This way you can save your precious time. Furthermore, the chosen candidate must have a university degree in early childhood education, or early childhood leadership.

They must have some sort of professional certification as well. Starting a nursery business involves communicating and interacting with many governmental agencies. Because of approvals from relevant government departments, you can efficiently run a nursery business.

Take all the necessary steps to make your daycare business setup in Dubai legal and to operate smoothly. Thus, that your charges and their parents can thank you for all your hard work. Business setup consultants provide top-notch company formation services to entrepreneurs.

The procedure for business registration in Dubai can get a little intimidating for someone new to the country. Hence, getting help from a business setup consultant is useful for entrepreneurs during such a situation. We at KWS Middle East can help you easily get the license for a nursery or any legal business.

Our consultants are well-versed with the legalities of business incorporation. Consequently, they make the process of business formation hassle-free. Contact us and book your commitment-free call with our experts today.

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