How to Start a Daycare Business in Dubai?

Of all the business opportunities flourishing in the Dubai market, Daycare centers are one such lucrative option. Most of the families in Dubai that work from morning to evening may not get enough time to look after their toddlers and children due to hectic time constraints. Hence, some of them hire nannies to watch their kids all day long, while some opt for daycare facilities. This desperate need has thus grown the demand for daycare facilities in Dubai exponentially over time. However, there are a number of procedures and requirements to fulfill in order to open a daycare center. Hence, this article will extendedly explain how to start a daycare in Dubai.

How to start a daycare in Dubai: Things to consider

Daycare owners must know how to effectively manage their responsibilities, thereby taking care of the safety of young children. The major responsibility is to look after children’s enjoyment, education, food, and security. Hence, to fulfill this job dutifully, they need to succeed in their business, commitment, patience as well as resourcefulness. In other words, you need to consider the below -

1. Choose a safe and secure location for the center
2. Decide the age range of kids that can join the center
3. Equip the center with safety and security measures
4. Employ well-trained and certified staff to take care of the kids
5. Install the required specialized equipment
6. Maintain a transparent relationship with the parents

How to start a daycare in Dubai: Steps to follow

Basically, it consumes a lot of time and effort to get a day care license in Dubai. However, it is important to remember that you will need a trade license from the DED(Department of Economic Development) first to reach this goal. Further, you need to follow the below steps to achieve your final objective more efficiently and successfully.

• Identify the important factors of the daycare center

Before even getting into the plan, you need to decide what kind of daycare center you are willing to open. Would it be a home-based center or you are planning to buy a separate space for it? Another factor that you need to look into is the age range of kids your business will serve.

• Prepare a business plan

A business plan should specify what your center is supposed to do and what is the purpose of its establishment. Also, include a summary of the market analysis, an overview of the company, and the financial projections in your plan. A plan must be prepared only after doing thorough research on the market and identifying the dynamics that can make your daycare business in Dubai a profitable one.

• Select a name for the daycare center

Like every other commercial business, your daycare center should also have an appropriate yet catchy name. Nevertheless, it should not violate the governmental regulations on company names. For instance, the chosen name must not be obscene or derogatory to some other individual, corporate, or community. Further, it should not match or resemble any competing businesses.

Company formation experts of Shuraa can help you figure out a perfect name for your organization and also ensure compliance with the DED’s trade name requirements.

• Determine the legal structure and framework

The legal structure of your business entity impacts your business operations and the way you are taxed. For example, whether you want to operate solely or you wish to work in partnership. Usually, a Limited Liability Company is the ideal choice for a daycare center as the liability will be rested on the business in case of any unexpected events.

• Find a suitable location to establish the center

Choosing an ideal area of operation is very important for any business. A major part of the company’s success depends on the location you choose as your business base. Therefore, while choosing a location for your daycare center, make sure to adhere to KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) regulations. Further, draft and sign a tenancy contract and submit it to the DED for processing.

• Get KHDA approval

Once you obtain initial approval from the DED, you must apply for a permit from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. The KHDA’s approval is mandatory to start a daycare business in Dubai.

• Obtain the necessary permits and certifications

Apart from the DED’s trade license, you will need a daycare license to operate your business lawfully in Dubai. In addition, you would also need certifications from Dubai Municipality, the Directorate of Civil Defence, and the Public Health Department for the establishment of your daycare center.

• Find a safe facility for the center

Before issuing the license or registering the business, the Dubai government needs to be assured that the proposed daycare center is safe for the children. Therefore, you need to create an environment that meets health, safety, zoning, and hazard laws set by the authorities. Whether it is a home-based daycare or a separate facility, make sure that the kids get a non-toxic environment for healthy growth.

• Employ suitable staff

Along with a secure facility, you would also need qualified staff who are familiar with this industry and its needs. So, hire people who radiate a loving and charming vibe, have a healthy background, and also hold good experience working with children. Proper staffing would help in accelerating business growth.

• Get insurance

Prevention is better than cure – something we have always heard and even used a million times in life. As a daycare business owner, it is your duty to provide the utmost care to the children in your center. Hence, you must get your business insured in order to safeguard it against all the possible risk factors.

• Invest in necessary tools and equipment

Your daycare center must have all the necessary tools and conveniences to facilitate the development and education of the kids. On the whole, your center should be so well-equipped that the parents are convinced that they are leaving their children in a learning environment.

• Prepare a guide or childcare manual

A childcare guide is mandatory in a daycare center as it will develop trust in the parents and also give them a general understanding of your center. This guide should include the following information –

• Childcare Objective
• Childcare Initiative
• Application form with all information about the children and their parents
• Employee records
• Learning Activities
• Security and safety precautions
• Nutrition chart
• Contract of Employment and Application
• Attendance Book for Children
• Staff Register for everyday attendance

• Fix the daycare policies

Daycare policies will include all those things that you are willing to entertain and those which are strictly off-limits. It will basically provide complete logistical information to the parents about how you will operate your center. Other protocols that your daycare policies should cover must include vaccination, illness, drop-off and pick-up times, curriculum, field trips, etc. in short, you must include all those details about your business that you think your clients should be aware of.

• Ensure healthcare facilities in the center

Since your center is working with children, they are most likely to be affected by illness and diseases. Hence, the owner must take necessary timely precautions to avoid any kind of spread of infections or ailments. Make sure that the children are taken good care of and that their nutritional needs are met religiously.

• Draft an activity plan

Last but not the least, plan the activities. A well-structured plan will not only help in the development of kids but also in the elevation of your company to the next level.

Read also: Setting up Your Pharmacy Business in Dubai

Steps to obtain KHDA approval

For setting up a daycare center in Dubai, you need to get the approval of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. The process to do so is as follows –

1. Create an ECP (Education and Care Plan) describing all the details such as proposed staff, services, infrastructure, etc., and submit it to the KHDA.
2. Once your plan is accepted by the authority, you may get started with building and modifying the proposed premises.
3. Choose a Center Manager through the proper screening and hiring method.
4. Obtain additional approvals from the Dubai Health Authority, Civil Defense, and Municipality of Dubai, if required.
5. KHDA’s compliance team will inspect the center and make sure that the premises and location are suitable.
6. At last, the KHDA will issue the permit to give a go-ahead to the center.

How to start a daycare in Dubai: Documents required

To acquire a day care license in Dubai, you need to take care of the following paperwork:

• Portfolio of the daycare owner (academic documents)
• Owner’s/Partner’s passport copies
• Appointment letter for the manager of the center
• Certificate of good conduct
• Location and layout of the daycare center
• Municipality’s approval
• Approval from the civil defense
• Photograph of the daycare owner

Are you still wondering how to start a Daycare in Dubai? Contact Shuraa right away and get the best solutions for all your business needs. Call at +971 44081900, WhatsApp at +971 507775554, or send an email to [email protected] to speak with the team of Shuraa.