8 min read
The short answer
Start with the licence and the child-to-adult ratio, then watch how the teachers speak to children while you are there. Online rankings are useful for building a shortlist, but they cannot show you what a classroom actually feels like. Visit at least two nurseries before you decide.
Searching for the best nursery in Abu Dhabi can quickly become overwhelming. Type the phrase into Google and you will find rankings, review scores, fee comparisons and lists of the “top 10 nurseries in Abu Dhabi”. These lists can help you create a shortlist, but they cannot tell you which nursery will actually suit your child and your family.
For parents living in Khalifa City, Al Raha or Yas Island, practical things such as the daily routine, location, nursery timings, teachers and fees can make just as much difference as the facilities. Here is a practical checklist to help you choose a nursery that works for both your child and your family.
Rankings and reviews are a helpful first step, but the real picture comes from walking through the door. A visit lets you meet the team, see the children at play and feel the atmosphere for yourself.
How do teachers respond when a child is upset? Do children have enough opportunities for outdoor play? Does the daily routine suit your working hours? Are the teachers familiar with the children they care for? These are things you can understand much better during a nursery visit. Use online lists to create a shortlist, then visit the nurseries yourself before making a decision.
Before looking at the toys, classrooms or outdoor areas, check that the nursery is properly licensed. Private nurseries in Abu Dhabi are regulated by the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), which refers to nurseries as Early Education Institutions. Ask the nursery about its licence and whether it covers your child’s age group.
It is also worth asking about the child-to-adult ratio in your child’s classroom. ADEK requires nurseries to meet these minimum adult-to-child ratios by 1 September 2026:
| Child’s age | Minimum adult-to-child ratio |
|---|---|
| Under 1 year | 1 adult to 3 children |
| 1 to 2 years | 1 adult to 4 children |
| 2 to 3 years | 1 adult to 5 children |
| 3 to 4 years | 1 adult to 8 children |
It is important to ask rather than assume. Two useful questions to ask are:
The answers can give you a clearer idea of how the nursery manages its classrooms day to day.
Bright classrooms, quality resources and a lovely outdoor area all help children thrive, and they’re a big part of what makes a nursery special. Alongside these, the adults caring for your child shape their everyday experience the most. During your visit, take a few minutes to observe the teachers:
You can also ask how long the room’s teachers have been with the nursery. A stable, familiar team helps children feel safe and settled, so it’s a useful thing to consider when comparing nurseries in Abu Dhabi.
When comparing nurseries in Abu Dhabi, ask how the curriculum is used in everyday learning rather than focusing only on its name. Not every nursery here follows the British EYFS, and very few blend it with Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches the way we do at Treehouse Nursery. This mix gives children a strong EYFS foundation, along with the independence of Montessori and the creativity and curiosity of Reggio Emilia. Our guide to the EYFS curriculum explains what the framework involves.
Find out:
During your visit, ask the teacher to explain what your child would typically learn and how activities are planned for their age and stage of development.
“Play-based learning” can mean different things at different nurseries. Instead of relying on a general description, ask the nursery to walk you through a normal day. Find out:
The answers will help you understand whether the nursery’s routine suits your child.
At Treehouse Nursery we move outdoor time to the morning in the hotter months and let it run longer when the weather cools. Families send a packed lunch from home. Our daily life page sets out the full routine.
For working parents, location can be just as important as the nursery itself. Think about how the nursery fits into your normal morning and afternoon routine. A nursery that is close to home or on your regular route may make daily drop-offs and pick-ups much easier.
When comparing a nursery in Khalifa City, check:
Nursery fees can vary considerably across Abu Dhabi. Two nurseries with similar-looking programmes may include very different things within their fees. When requesting a quotation, ask for an itemised breakdown. Check whether the quoted fee includes:
ADEK also regulates registration fees, so parents should understand exactly what they are being charged for. Do not compare nurseries based only on the headline annual fee. Compare what you actually receive for that fee.
Starting nursery is a major change for both children and parents. Good communication can make the transition easier. Ask how the nursery keeps parents informed about their child’s day. For example:
You should feel comfortable asking questions and raising concerns. Ask who to contact when something is worrying you, and how quickly you can expect an answer.
Eight questions worth asking on the day:
You do not have to ask every question in exactly this order. The aim is to understand how the nursery operates beyond what you see in its brochure or website.
Treehouse is a villa-based nursery in Khalifa City for children aged one to four years. The setting includes a gymnasium, soft play area, dining area, atelier with a reading corner and outdoor areas designed to encourage sensory and practical play. The nursery follows the EYFS while incorporating ideas from Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches. It may suit families looking for a smaller, play-based early years setting in the Khalifa City area.
Visiting around three nurseries can give you a useful comparison without making the process unnecessarily complicated. If you have a clear favourite, consider returning for a second visit at a different time of day.
Under ADEK regulations, all licensed nurseries in Abu Dhabi can accept children from birth up to four years old. Some nurseries choose to start their admissions from one year old, depending on their programme and facilities. It’s always worth checking the age range directly with the nursery before applying. At Treehouse, we welcome children from one to four years old.
It is sensible to start researching several months before you need a place. This gives you enough time to compare nurseries, arrange visits and ask about availability, waiting lists and intake dates. If you are hoping for a September start, contact nurseries early rather than waiting until the summer.
Not necessarily. A larger building may offer more space and facilities, but size alone does not determine the quality of a child’s experience. Pay attention to the teachers, classroom ratios, daily routine, outdoor opportunities, communication with parents and how comfortable your child feels in the environment.
Start with the basics: licensing, age suitability, teacher-to-child ratios, curriculum, daily routine, fees, timings and location. Then visit the nursery and observe how teachers interact with children. This will give you information that an online ranking or review cannot provide.
Look beyond the photographs and rankings. Ask about ratios, observe the teachers, understand the curriculum, check the daily routine and compare the complete cost. Most importantly, visit the nursery and see how the environment feels when children are actually learning and playing.
For families considering a nursery in Khalifa City, Treehouse welcomes parents to visit the setting and see the environment for themselves.
Book a visit to Treehouse, or call 02 556 0556 and we will find a time that suits you. Tours run between 8am and 2pm, Monday to Friday. If you would rather not phone, message us on WhatsApp on +971 55 837 8430.
