Emirati Children’s Day: New assessment system for offerings beyond schools, nurseries in UAE

Abu Dhabi: In good news for parents, Abu Dhabi is developing a new assessment system to evaluate the quality of offerings and services for children, extending beyond nurseries and schools.

Making the announcement ahead of Emirati Children’s Day, which falls on March 15, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) cited examples of offerings will include camps, after-school programmes, children’s libraries, parks, playgrounds, children’s museums, cultural centres with dedicated spaces for children, family entertainment centres and play areas.

The assessment system, being designed by the ECA, will evaluate and improve the offerings and services available to families, ensuring that children in Abu Dhabi have access to safe, enriching, and high-quality programmes and experiences. For parents, this means they can have more confidence that these spaces and activities will be safe, nurturing, and beneficial for their children’s development

The assessment system will employ a set of criteria, based on global leading practices but customised to the UAE’s culture, values and context. It will assess a wide range of services targeting children aged zero to eight years, with plans to include services for children up to 18 years of age in future phases.

Quality first

Sana bint Mohamed Suhail, Minister of Family and Director General of the ECA, pointed out that it’s “quality first”.

“We are not just setting standards — we are raising the bar on offerings to children, beyond nurseries and schools and, transforming the experience for families and children. We are doing this so that every family’s experience is meaningful and memorable, in a positive way, and so that every parent can feel confident in the programmes their children are part of.”

Sana noted that by prioritising quality, safety, and enrichment, the ECA is working to ensure that every child in Abu Dhabi has the opportunity to grow, explore, and thrive in environments that nurture their full potential.

How to apply?

The ECA noted that high-performing offerings will be recognised, while offerings and services that do not meet the required standards, will be provided with support, guidance and resources to help improve their quality. The ECA is encouraging businesses, based in Abu Dhabi Emirate, that target young children outside of schools and nurseries to register their interest and learn more about this initiative by sending an email to: ecce@eca.gov.ae. They should include their organisation’s name, nature of business, service offerings and website URL.

Collaboration

The system will be developed by the ECA, with engagement and input already gathered from its partners, specifically the Department of Community Development (DCD), Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Department of Economic Development (DCD), Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), Ministry of Education (MoE), Department of Health (DoH), Ma’an, Family Care Authority (FCA), Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority (ADSSA), Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO) and the National Academy for Childhood Development (NACD).