Landmark move allows nursery to operate from apartment bldg

DUBAI — Education for the young children of Al Nahda and nearby areas could begin at an early age now thanks to the Ministry of Social Affairs Child Department’s landmark decision to allow the UAE’s first-ever private nursery to operate from inside a commercial-cum-residential building.

Published: Sat 22 Jan 2011, 1:45 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 5:46 AM

Providing a secure and spacious space for the early education of children aged 15 months to four years, near their doorstep, was the main consideration behind the bold decision by the department.

“In taking the decision, the department had to deviate from its known policy of not allowing nurseries inside buildings, although the law does not prohibit them,” Moza Salem Al Shoomi, Director of the Department, told Khaleej Times after inaugurating and touring the Pristine Rainbow Nursery. “Whether mothers are working or not, their children need to start education at an early age and it is our responsibility to provide the facility.”

She said the Dubai Municipality had asked her why she had given permission to open the nursery in a building. She said she told them that “we definitely need a nursery in this area because early education is important for children and the families have to benefit from the facility”.

The new nursery with 40 students caters to families residing in Al Nahda, Al Ghusais and neighbouring areas of Dubai and Sharjah.

Explaining reasons behind the decision, Moza said firstly the densely populated area of Al Nahda has tall buildings all around with no independent villas where a nursery could be set up.

Secondly, there was an urgent need for a second nursery since there was only one nursery in the entire area functioning inside a private school’s building in Al Nahda 2.

Thirdly, the new nursery (Pristine Rainbow Nursery) was located in a spacious and well-protected area for the children, who include toddlers.

Fourthly, the owners of the nursery had a good reputation of managing children’s education facilities in the Al Nahda area since 1992.