Moving to Dubai for permanent residence with children: the best nurseries and schools

There are many expats who are moving to Dubai with their families. The reason for that is the fact that Dubai is one of the most comfortable and safest cities in the world. It has a strong economy and a business-friendly policy towards foreign entrepreneurs. In addition, it offers a great variety of cultural sites and entertainment venues as well as high-quality healthcare and education services.

Content:

• How to move to Dubai with children
• Obtaining visas for all family members
• How to make relocation to Dubai more child-friendly
• Preschool education
• Top nurseries in Dubai
• #5 British Orchard Nursery
• #4 Kangaroo Kids Nursery
• #3 Ambassador Kindergarten
• #2 Canadian Montessori Nursery Dubai
• #1 Alphabet Street Nursery
• School education
• Top schools in Dubai
• Find an ideal home in Dubai near a nursery and school with us

In this article, we offer tips on how to move to Dubai for permanent residence with children and the top list of local nurseries and schools.

How to move to Dubai with children

The government encourages foreigners who are looking to move to the UAE to do so and provides great opportunities for that. Although it is almost impossible to obtain citizenship there, the country provides unlimited opportunities for expats.

There are 2 affordable ways to move to the Emirates with children:

• Buy property in Dubai that costs at least AED 750,000 (USD 204,000).
• Apply for a job in one of the companies in UAE with a salary of at least AED 4,000 (USD 1,100).

You should keep in mind that Dubai is one of the world’s most developed cities and a popular tourist destination, hence the cost of living there is quite high. On average, a family of 4 in 2024 will need about AED 14,000 AED (USD 3,800) per month, excluding rent. This is why you need to have an adequate income to cover daily needs.

Obtaining visas for all family members

After the main applicant has a visa, the expat has 60 days to apply for their children and spouse. At the same time, the applicant must earn at least AED 4,000 (USD 820) or AED 3,000 (USD 1,100) plus accommodation. Only close relatives can obtain a family member visa. To do so, you will need to confirm the kinship.

Here is a list of documents required for obtaining a visa:

• Copies of passports, photographs, and medical examination certificates for the spouse and children.
• Certificates confirming relationship: a marriage certificate + birth certificates of children.
• Proof of financial solvency: copy of employment contract, salary certificates, and evidence of savings.
• Proof of residency in the UAE: this can be a lease agreement or a title deed if you have an apartment in Dubai.

Each paper must be notarized.

If you apply for a visa for your parents, your monthly income must be at least AED 20,000 (USD 5,500), and the apartment must have at least 2 bedrooms. Moreover, a foreign worker cannot sponsor only one of their parents; they need to sponsor both parents together. If one of the parents has passed away or the parents are divorced, the relevant documents will be required.

How to make relocation to Dubai more child-friendly

To make the adaptation period for children in the new country as smooth as possible, you should consider the following recommendations:

• Plan to move to the UAE in the winter. The summer temperatures in Dubai can reach from +40 to +45 degrees Celsius. Such heat combined with high humidity may be extremely difficult for an adult, let alone for children. The winter in Dubai is very comfortable. The average day temperatures are +20–25 degrees Celsius, at night the average temperatures are around +15–20 degrees Celsius. In a few months, the child will be able to adapt to a new climate and it will be easier to cope with the coming summer heat.
• Use sunscreen and sun protection, which will protect the baby’s sensitive skin and prevent overheating.
• Allow children to visit relatives. At first, children may miss their grandparents. If possible, arrange holidays in your home country.
• Train the younger generation to respect local laws and the multiculturalism that prevails in the UAE and Dubai, in particular. The native Emiratis are a minority, while most of the country’s population are foreigners from all over the world.
• Children of different sexes should be provided with separate rooms.

Preschool education

Preschool education in Dubai, UAE is divided into two stages:

• Nurseries – children from 45 days to 4 years of age can attend nurseries. Many nurseries are located in spacious villas with lush gardens. When children reach the age of 4-5 years old, they go from the nursery to the next stage of preschool education.
• Kindergartens – school for children 4–6 years old. While you can do without a nursery, you should not neglect a kindergarten. Here, children are introduced to the educational process: they are taught to read and write, prepare for school, and learn discipline. Most kindergartens in Dubai are open till noon. If both parents are busy with work, they will have to hire a nanny, or look for a kindergarten with an after-school group, where children study during the first half of the day, and the rest of the time they play under the strict supervision of educators.

Many kindergartens provide a shuttle service to your home, but keep in mind that there can be traffic jams on the roads, especially in the evening. One can use the subway. It is modern and comfortable, and you can get to any part of the city on it. Thus, parents can save their time and money without compromising the comfort of themselves and their children. Therefore, it makes sense to look for kindergartens close to home. It is also worth noting that most of the kindergartens are English speaking, which is very useful for the child’s development.

Top nurseries in Dubai

Preschools in Dubai are not ranked by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education, so there is no official ranking of nurseries and kindergartens. However, foreigners distinguish “the best of the best” among the variety of kindergartens. Here is detailed information on them.

#5 British Orchard Nursery

One of the most popular nurseries in Dubai. Communication is in English. Children are admitted from the age of 6 months till 4 years old. The main emphasis is on educational games, sports, and development of creativity. The nursery has a spacious area with its own artificial pond and a ballet hall. Tuition fees range from AED 19,000 to 45,000 (USD 5,200 to 12,250) per year.

#4 Kangaroo Kids Nursery

British nursery for children aged 45 days to 4 years. It is the first international preschool accredited by The Curiosity Approach. The nursery uses the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. It features a sensory garden and a mini amphitheatre. The cost of enrolment here ranges from AED 20,000 to 40,000 (from USD 5,500 to 11,000) per year.

#3 Ambassador Kindergarten

This kindergarten has an extensive campus, providing ample opportunities for children’s development. There is a music studio, dance hall, and yoga room. To encourage children to do sports, various sports events are held in a special indoor arena. Each classroom has a private bathroom and many interactive features for the all-round development of toddlers.

The cost of one academic year here starts from AED 21,123 (USD 5,750), depending on the grade.

#2 Canadian Montessori Nursery Dubai

Canadian Montessori Nursery in Dubai was established in 2008. They welcome children of any nationality from the age of 2 and graduate them at 6 years old, fully prepared for school. The instruction is conducted in English.

The cost of attending Canadian Montessori Nursery Dubai starts from AED 16,800 (USD 4,600) per year.

#1 Alphabet Street Nursery

The nursery accepts children from 14 months. Education is carried out until the age of 6, that is, until the age when children can already go to school. The nursery has 3 age groups. The educational programme is built based on the age of the children. The main emphasis is on the development of creative potential. Alphabet Street Nursery provides pick-up and drop-off services.

Tuition fees depend on the age group, starting from AED 23,700 (USD 6,450) per year.

School education

There are several curriculum programmes in Dubai. They include:

• American (US curriculum);
• British (UK curriculum);
• International (IB curriculum).

Education in the US and UK curriculum is carried out in accordance with the national programmes of the UK and USA.

IB (International Baccalaureate) is a Swiss programme created for international schools around the world.

Some schools combine curriculum programmes. The choice of a specific curriculum depends on the plans of the parents and student for further education.

The next criterion for selecting a school is the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) rating. This is a rating compiled by a special government body in charge of inspecting private educational institutions in Dubai. Depending on professional indicators, quality of education and some other factors, a school can receive one of 6 marks: outstanding, very good, good, acceptable, weak, and very weak.

Top schools in Dubai

Dubai’s top schools teach British, Indian, American, French, and international curricula. The best schools include:

• Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS);
• Dubai English Speaking College;
• Kings’ School Al Barsha;
• Nord Anglia International School Dubai;
• Jebel Ali School;
• Dubai College.

Find an ideal home in Dubai near a nursery and school with us

Are you looking for a buy-to-live or buy-to-invest property in Dubai? The Emirates.Estate team will help you find the best solution and buy an apartment or house in Dubai close to a nursery or a school. We offer an extensive property database with the best deals from verified developers in the most popular communities in Dubai. The company’s experts have a wealth of experience in concluding sales transactions. Reach out to them for more detailed information.