Choosing a nursery is one of the biggest early decisions a parent makes in Abu Dhabi. Every nursery looks good on a website, so the best way to decide is to know what to look for, what to ask, and what to see for yourself on a visit. This guide gives you a practical checklist you can use at any nursery, including ours.
The checklist at a glance
- The nursery holds a current licence from ADEK, Abu Dhabi’s education regulator.
- The curriculum is clear, and suits your child and your plans for school.
- Staff are qualified, settled and warm, and ratios are written down.
- Health, safety and hygiene routines are clear and followed.
- Indoor and outdoor spaces are safe, clean and made for your child’s age.
- The location and hours work for your family on an ordinary week.
- Fees are in writing, with what is and is not included.
- Your child’s languages are supported the way you want.
- Your child is happy when you visit, and staff can show you how they know.
1. Check the licence
Every nursery in Abu Dhabi needs to be licensed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). Ask to see the current licence, and check it on the ADEK website. A licence is the minimum, not a mark of quality, so use it to rule nurseries out, not in.
2. Understand the curriculum
Nurseries in Abu Dhabi follow different approaches, for example the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Montessori, or a blend of international methods. None is automatically better. What matters is that the nursery can explain, in plain words, how children learn each day and how they track progress.
If you expect your child to move to a British curriculum school, an EYFS nursery is a natural fit. Read more in our guides to the EYFS preschool in Abu Dhabi and British nurseries in Abu Dhabi. To see how we teach, visit how we learn.
3. Look at staff and ratios
Staff make the biggest difference to your child’s day. Ask:
- What qualifications do the teachers and assistants hold?
- How long have they worked here, and how many staff left last year?
- What is the staff to child ratio in each room, and who covers when someone is absent?
Lower ratios generally mean more one to one attention, especially for babies and children under two.
4. Ask about health, safety and hygiene
Ask how the nursery handles cleaning, allergies, illness, emergencies and collection. Look for clean floors, secure entrances, clear sleep and feeding routines for babies, and a calm atmosphere. Ask to see the written policies if they are not obvious.
5. See the facilities for yourself
Look for spaces designed for your child’s age: separate baby areas, classrooms with their own bathrooms, shaded outdoor play, a library, sensory and creative areas. Photos only tell part of the story, so book a visit and see rooms in use.
6. Think about location and your week
A nursery close to home or work reduces daily stress for the whole family. Check opening hours against your real schedule, including pick-up on a bad traffic day. If you are still comparing areas, see our guide to child care nearby in Abu Dhabi. Our three branches are Saadiyat, Mushrif and Mehairba.
7. Get fees in writing
Ask for the full fee schedule and exactly what it includes, such as meals, snacks, nappies and trips, plus any registration fee, deposit and notice period. Compare like for like, because a lower headline fee can hide extras. Our frequently asked questions cover how we handle fees and enrolment.
8. Consider languages
Many families in Abu Dhabi want their child to learn Arabic, English or another language early. Ask which languages are used each day, which are taught as lessons, and whether this changes by age or branch. Read our guide to bilingual nurseries in Abu Dhabi for what to expect.
9. Ask about hours and flexibility
Some families need full days, others prefer fewer days or half days. Ask whether part time places are available, what notice is needed to change days, and how holidays and absence are handled. Our guide to part time nursery school in Abu Dhabi explains how flexible enrolment works.
Questions to ask on a tour
- Can I see the current ADEK licence?
- What is a typical day for my child’s age group?
- How do you settle a new child, and how long does it usually take?
- How do you share news and progress with parents?
- What are the ratios in my child’s room?
- How do you handle allergies, illness and accidents?
- What is included in the fees, and what costs extra?
- Which languages will my child hear each day?
- How do you support children who are shy, or who need extra help?
- Can I speak to a current parent?
Red flags
- No licence on show, or reluctance to show it.
- Vague answers about ratios, qualifications or safety.
- No written fee schedule.
- Rooms you are not allowed to see.
- Pressure to pay a deposit on the day of the visit.
- A very high staff turnover, or children who seem unsettled.
Frequently asked questions
Start as early as you can, because places can fill, especially for babies and popular areas. Visiting two or three nurseries gives you a good sense of the differences.
Yes. Nurseries must be licensed by ADEK. Ask to see the licence and check it on the ADEK website.
EYFS is the British framework for children from birth to five, built around areas of learning and play. Montessori is a method that emphasises child-led learning with specific materials. Both can work well, so ask the nursery to show you how each is used in the classroom.
Convenience matters, because a calm routine helps your child settle. But do not let location outweigh a poor fit, so visit before deciding.
Bring your list of questions, your child if the nursery allows it, and any questions about allergies, routines or special needs.
