Choosing child care near home in Abu Dhabi comes down to three things: whether the setting is licensed, whether its hours fit your working day, and whether the journey is one you can repeat every morning. This guide covers your options, what to check, and where our three nurseries are.
Your child care options
- Nursery. A licensed setting for babies and children up to four, usually with set hours and a curriculum.
- Preschool or kindergarten (KG1 and KG2). For children from around three to five, often attached to a school.
- Nanny or home care. One adult at home, with flexible hours, where oversight depends on the arrangement you make.
- Government and private nurseries. Both exist. Private nurseries set their own fees and curriculum within ADEK’s rules.
All nurseries in Abu Dhabi must be licensed by ADEK. Ask to see the licence for the branch you plan to use.
Why “nearby” matters more than it sounds
A nursery that is 10 minutes closer on a quiet day can be the same distance at 7:45am. What matters is the real journey at drop-off and pick-up, and what happens when you are late, a child is unwell or school events fall on a working day. Check the journey at the time you would actually do it.
What to check when choosing child care near you
- Licence. The current ADEK licence for that branch.
- Hours. Do the opening and closing times cover your commute, with a margin?
- Ratios. The number of adults to children in the room your child would join.
- Curriculum. What it is and how the nursery shows it to you.
- Food and health. Meals, snacks, allergy handling, first aid training and how illness is managed.
- Languages. Which languages are used, and how often.
- A visit. Go in person, ideally at a busy time of day, and see how staff speak to children.
Our guide to how to choose a nursery in Abu Dhabi goes through these in more detail.
Nursery or nanny?
| Feature | Nursery | Nanny |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Set routine and a planned curriculum | You decide the day |
| Oversight | Licensed setting, several adults | One adult, oversight is up to you |
| Attention | Shared between children | One to one |
| Social time | Daily time with other children | Depends on the arrangements you make |
| Cover when someone is ill | The nursery stays open | You need a back-up |
| Flexibility | Fixed hours | Hours you agree |
Many families use a nursery during the week and a nanny for the gaps. Neither is right for every family.
Our three nurseries
We are Bright Beginnings, in Abu Dhabi since 2005, welcoming children from 4 weeks to four years old. All three nurseries are open Monday to Friday.
| Nursery | Where | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Saadiyat | Opposite NYU Abu Dhabi | 7am to 6pm |
| Mushrif | Off Airport Road | 7am to 5pm |
| Mehairba | Off 30th Street (Khaleej Al Arabi) | 7am to 5pm |
We are open all year, closing only for public holidays, a few days in spring, the period between Christmas and New Year, and a couple of staff training days each term. Every nursery page has the current phone number and map.
To find your nearest, put your home and your workplace into a maps app and compare the drive to each nursery at your usual drop-off time. Then book a tour at the one that works best.
How we teach
Our curriculum is built on the UK Early Years Foundation Stage and Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework, through play. English is our main language, and Arabic, French and Spanish are part of the week for every age group. Read more on how we structure our play-based curriculum, our bilingual programme and our sensory activities. Staff are approved by ADEK for their roles and hold first aid or basic life support training.
Fees
We do not publish fees online, because they depend on the number of days and the pick-up times you choose. Fees are billed termly and cover tuition. Meals, snacks, nappies and supplies are not included. Ask about fees on your tour, or contact your nearest nursery.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find child care near me in Abu Dhabi?
Compare the real journey to each option at your drop-off time, check each one’s ADEK licence and opening hours, and visit in person. We have nurseries in Saadiyat, Mushrif and Mehairba.
What age can my child start at Bright Beginnings?
From 4 weeks up to four years.
What are your opening hours?
All three nurseries are open 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and Saadiyat stays open until 6pm.
How much does child care cost?
Fees depend on the number of days and pick-up times, so we do not publish them. Ask on a tour. Fees are billed each term and cover tuition only.
Are your nurseries licensed?
All nurseries in Abu Dhabi must be licensed by ADEK, and our staff are ADEK-approved for their roles. Ask any branch to show you its licence on your visit.
Do you offer a nursery tour?
Yes. Book a tour at the nursery nearest you.
