Nurseries across the UAE have been granted permission to reopen provided they adhere to the strict safety guidelines laid out by the Ministry of Education.
Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah childcare centres may resume their operations next month so long as they abide by the strict reopening requirements and regulations.
According to a circular issued to nurseries by the UAE education authorities, a tentative date of Sunday October 4 has been set as the date the nurseries can reopen.
“It has been decided to reopen nurseries on the fourth of October 2020 in accordance with strict control and preventive measures aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19),” the circular stated.
A further circular was subsequently distributed highlighting the need for nurseries to adhere to the regulations.
“The date of reopening the nursery will depend on the abidance to and the implementation of all the conditions and requirements mentioned in the previous circular,” it outlined.
Laura Barton-Toyne, nursery principal at Kangaroo Kids Nursery said: “Although we have many obstacles to overcome I feel positive that this is a step in the right direction and the best thing to support children’s wellbeing and education.”
“The difference between protocols for nurseries and schools seems unbalanced but we understand the Ministry of Education strive to provide the highest level of safety for both the children, staff and families,” she explained.
Reena Dhamecha, owner at Building Blocks Nursery said: “We salute the UAE’s dedication to supporting excellence in education and are working though the guidelines and conducting staff and parent training sessions over Zoom.”
“Some guidelines add additional financial burden, we request the UAE authorities to proliferate nurseries by extending the same support they have to schools. So that nurseries can open and our youngest can enjoy their right to education, Dhamecha added”
In order to comply with the guidelines, a series of health and safety trainings will be held for nursery teachers and staff and COVID-19 screenings will also be carried out.
