Blog · 3 October 2026

How to choose a nursery in Dubai: 10 questions to ask on a tour

Dubai has a nursery on almost every corner, and from the outside many look alike. A tour is where the differences show. These are the ten questions we would ask if we were the parents, and the answers worth listening for.

1. Is the nursery licensed by KHDA?

Early childhood centres in Dubai are licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. Ask to see the licence and check the name and address match. It is the first sign that a setting meets the basic standards for safety and staffing.

2. Which curriculum do you follow, and what does a day look like?

Many Dubai nurseries follow the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Ask how it shows up in a normal day. Is learning led by children’s questions and play, or by worksheets and screens? Ask to see what children made this week.

3. How big are the classes?

Look at how many children are in each room and how many adults are with them. Small classes mean more conversation, more attention and calmer rooms. We explain why in why small class sizes matter.

4. Who are the teachers, and how long do they stay?

Ask about qualifications and early years experience, and how long the team has worked together. Young children do best with familiar faces, so low staff turnover matters.

5. How is the air kept clean indoors?

In a city of dust and closed windows, ask how classrooms are ventilated, whether the air is filtered and how often filters are changed. Read why we filter the air for what to look for.

6. Where do children play outdoors, and is there shade?

Ask to see the outdoor space, how much time children spend there and how it is used in the hotter months. Real ground, plants and shade are worth more than a strip of artificial turf.

7. Where do children sleep?

If your child still naps, ask where. A dedicated, quiet sleep area is very different from mats in the corner of a busy playroom.

8. What do children eat?

Ask whether meals and snacks are provided or packed from home, how allergies are handled and how mealtimes are run. Calm, shared mealtimes are part of learning too.

9. How will I know how my child’s day went?

Ask how the nursery shares photos, notes and progress with parents, and how quickly they reply to messages. A good setting makes your child’s learning visible to you every week, not only at a yearly meeting.

10. How does settling in work, and what are the fees?

Ask how the first weeks are handled and whether you can stay at the start. Then ask for the full fees in writing, including registration, meals, uniform and any extra charges. There is more on the first weeks in settling in.

Trust what you see

Beyond the answers, notice how the room feels. Are children busy and calm? Do adults kneel to talk to them? Would your child be happy here?

We are happy to answer all ten. Evergreen is a brand-new, KHDA-licensed school in Umm Suqeim 3, near Equiti Metro Station. Book a tour and ask us anything.