UAE Child Care Market Research Report, 2030

The child care services market in the UAE has seen significant evolution over the years, mirroring global trends while being shaped by unique socio-cultural dynamics and regulatory frameworks. Childcare, which broadly refers to services that provide supervision, education, and care for young children, has become a crucial support system for working parents and caregivers. Historically, the demand for structured child care solutions arose as more women entered the workforce and the traditional family structures evolved. In the UAE, this shift accelerated in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, as rapid urbanization and economic growth transformed the work environment, leading to a higher demand for professional child care services. Families seeking to balance career aspirations with the responsibility of raising children have turned to a variety of child care options, ranging from daycares to early childhood education centers, to ensure that their children receive quality care in a safe environment. The demand for these services cuts across various demographic groups, with both expatriate and Emirati families availing themselves of child care to enable professional and personal advancement. Social and cultural trends also play a significant role in shaping the demand for these services in the UAE. While traditionally, family members such as grandparents played a central role in child-rearing, today’s more nuclear family setup, combined with fast-paced work lives, has increased reliance on external child care. The need for professional supervision and development programs for young children, particularly in the context of the UAE’s growing focus on early childhood education, has become more pronounced. Additionally, with the country’s diverse population, there has been a growing acceptance of various child care services, including those that cater to different cultural and religious backgrounds. The UAE government has put in place a solid legal and regulatory framework to ensure the safety and well-being of children in care. Policies such as parental leave, subsidized child care programs, and tax incentives further underscore the government’s commitment to supporting families in securing quality child care. According to the research report, "UAE Child Care Services Market Research Report, 2030," published by Actual Market Research, the UAE Child Care Services market is anticipated to add to more than USD 1.29 Billion by 2025–30. In the UAE, the market size is estimated to be worth over AED 1 billion and is expected to continue expanding as both the local and expatriate population seek structured care solutions for their children. Furthermore, with high levels of disposable income and a relatively strong economy, many families can afford premium child care services, including high-quality nurseries and early childhood education centers. However, the high cost of child care remains a barrier for some, particularly for lower-income households. While the availability of affordable informal care, such as that provided by relatives or domestic workers, continues to be a preference for many families, the demand for professional child care services is growing. Urban areas like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are experiencing a higher concentration of formal child care centers, as these cities offer better access to quality facilities, making it easier for working parents to rely on structured services. In contrast, rural and more remote areas of the UAE still face challenges in terms of access to such services. Technological advancements have also had an impact on the UAE's child care services market, with digital platforms facilitating easier connections between parents and care providers. Online nanny services and apps offering real-time tracking of child development are becoming increasingly popular. The COVID-19 pandemic has also influenced the child care landscape, with a noticeable shift towards flexible care solutions, including remote learning options and greater emphasis on health and safety measures. The post-pandemic era has led to a continued demand for such alternatives as many families opt for hybrid working models.

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In the UAE, child care services are offered across various types of care, each catering to different stages of child development and parental needs. Daycare services are one of the most commonly used forms of child care, particularly for working parents. These facilities provide full-day care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, offering a safe environment where children are looked after while parents are at work. Daycares in the UAE are regulated by strict government guidelines to ensure high standards of care and safety, with most facilities offering programs that focus on early childhood education, socialization, and development. Preschool and early education services are another key segment of the market, offering structured programs aimed at preparing young children for primary school. These programs typically focus on cognitive development, language skills, basic mathematics, and social skills. In the UAE, many parents opt for preschools starting from age three, with a rising preference for bilingual programs that cater to both Arabic and English-speaking children. After-school care services have also become essential, especially in urban areas where working parents need reliable care for their children once school ends. These services typically provide a safe space for school-aged children (6-12 years) to engage in extracurricular activities, do homework, or simply relax after their school day. After-school care has gained popularity as parents increasingly seek holistic developmental support outside of regular school hours. Nanny and babysitting services are another important part of the market in the UAE, particularly for families seeking more personalized, flexible child care. Nannies are often employed to care for younger children, particularly infants and toddlers, in the comfort of their own homes. This form of care is often preferred by expat families who may not have extended family members to provide informal care. The demand for nannies is growing, especially in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where both high-income local and expatriate families tend to favor this more individualized approach to child care. The age group segmentation within these services is broad, with different types of care tailored to each age group. UAE’s child care services market is primarily divided into organized and unorganized providers, each offering different levels of structure and oversight. Organized facilities, such as licensed nurseries, daycares, and preschools, play a central role in the formal child care sector. These facilities are highly regulated by the UAE government, adhering to strict standards for staff qualifications, safety protocols, and educational frameworks. Organized child care providers cater to a wide range of families, including both Emirati and expatriate communities, and are located mainly in urban centers like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where demand is particularly high. These providers offer services that span from infant care to preschool education, with many facilities focusing on bilingual learning, fostering early academic development, and preparing children for school. Unorganized or informal providers, on the other hand, typically operate outside the framework of formal regulation, and their services may include private in-home care by nannies or informal child minders. While informal care has been traditionally relied upon by many families, especially expatriates who may not have local family support, it remains less structured, often lacking standardized curricula or the regulatory oversight seen in formal facilities. Informal child care services can be more flexible and personalized but may present challenges in terms of safety and quality assurance. Corporate child care, a growing trend in the UAE, reflects the increasing demand from businesses seeking to support their employees with work-life balance initiatives. In this model, companies either partner with established child care providers or set up on-site facilities to offer day care services for their employees’ children. Corporate child care programs are particularly common in large multinational companies and government agencies in the UAE, as they are seen as a way to attract and retain top talent, especially among working parents. Considered in this report • Historic Year: 2019 • Base year: 2024 • Estimated year: 2025 • Forecast year: 2030

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Nikita Jabrela

Business Development Manager

Aspects covered in this report • Child Care Services Market with its value and forecast along with its segments • Various drivers and challenges • On-going trends and developments • Top profiled companies • Strategic recommendation By Type of Care • Daycare Services • Preschool/Early Education • After-School Care • Nanny and Babysitting Services By Service Provider • Organized Facilities • Unorganized/Informal Providers • Corporate Child Care

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By Age Group • Infants (0–1 year) • Toddlers (1–3 years) • Preschoolers (3–5 years) • School-Aged Children (6–12 years) By End-User • Parents • Institutions /Corporations The approach of the report: This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources. Intended audience This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.