Families in Abu Dhabi now have more choice, with ADEK licensing seven new nurseries and two new private schools across the emirate
If you’re looking for a nursery or school place in Abu Dhabi, there’s good news for families.
Parents now have a wider range of options with the opening of seven new nurseries offering 929 seats and two new private schools adding 3,610 seats, licensed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra.
From the earliest years in nurseries through the foundation stages of schooling, these additions expand opportunities for children to learn and grow in supportive, high-quality environments.
The expansion also reflects ADEK’s ongoing commitment to increasing capacity and choice for families at every stage of their child’s educational journey.
Nurseries and private schools in Abu Dhabi
There are now 233 nurseries across the emirate, nurturing children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. Additionally, 220 private schools offer a variety of curricula designed to foster academic excellence, creativity, and personal growth.
WHAT THIS EXPANSION LOOKS LIKE: NAMES, LOCATION, CURRICULA AND FEES
Seven newly licensed nurseries
Together, these seven new nurseries add 929 seats across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra:
| Nursery Name | Location | Average Fee (AED) |
| Chubby Cheeks Nursery | Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi | 43,500 |
| Kids Fantasy Nursery | Madinat Zayed, Abu Dhabi | 27,000 |
| Aflaj Nursery | Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi | 47,896 |
| Baynounah Nurseries | Al Hisn, Abu Dhabi | 27,000 |
| Kids Academy Nursery | Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi | 40,000 |
| Redwood Nursery | Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi | 51,375 |
| Redwood Nursery | Yas Island, Abu Dhabi | 51,375 |
Located in family-friendly neighbourhoods — from Khalifa City and Al Bateen to Yas Island and MBZ — the new nurseries make early years education more accessible.
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Two newly licensed private schools
The two new private schools together offer over 3,600 extra seats
| School Name | Location | Average Fee (AED) |
| Premium International Private School | Shiab Al Ashkhar, Al Ain | 31,650 |
| Yasmina American School | Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi | 35,733 |
For families in Al Ain, Premium International Private School offers a new local option, while in Abu Dhabi, Yasmina American School adds capacity to a popular educational hub.
Curriculum overview
Both new private schools follow American curricula, offering international education pathways popular with families across the UAE:
- Premium International Private School (Al Ain): A US-based American curriculum built on Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, combined with UAE Ministry subjects such as Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Moral Education. The school plans to expand into high school grades with Advanced Placement (AP) options.
- Yasmina American School (Abu Dhabi): Part of Aldar Academies, Yasmina American will deliver an American curriculum from Pre-KG to Grade 5, focusing on literacy, numeracy, and inquiry-based learning, with higher grades to follow.
Why this matters for parents in the UAE
As Abu Dhabi’s population grows, so does demand for quality education. Here’s how the latest expansion helps families:
- More choice
The new nurseries and schools can help alleviate waiting lists in popular areas, providing parents with more flexibility to choose the right setting, curriculum, and price point for their children. - A stronger focus on quality and early learning
ADEK’s expansion reflects its broader goal of improving access and raising standards from the earliest years.- Earlier in 2025, ADEK licensed 15 additional nurseries, adding 1,250 new seats.
- New regulations ensure consistent quality across all early education providers.
- From the 2025–26 academic year, nurseries and Kindergartens will introduce four hours of Arabic per week, strengthening language foundations from the start.
- Options for every budget
With fees ranging from AED 27,000 to just over AED 51,000, families have a wider choice of affordable, high-quality education options.
The wider Abu Dhabi education landscape
Abu Dhabi’s education sector continues to go from strength to strength.
In ADEK’s latest Irtiqa’a inspection results, 13 private schools achieved the top Outstanding rating — a testament to the high standards of teaching, leadership, and student wellbeing across the emirate.
You might also like: 13 Abu Dhabi private schools rated Outstanding by ADEK
Outstanding-rated private schools in Abu Dhabi (2025)
- American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS) – American
- Bateen World Academy, Aldar Education – IB
- Brighton College Al Ain – British
- British International School Abu Dhabi (BIS Abu Dhabi), Nord Anglia – British/IB
- British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) – British
- Canadian International School – Alberta Curriculum
- Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, Aldar Education – British
- Merryland International School – British
- Muna British Academy, Aldar Education – British
- Repton Foundation School, Cognita – British
- Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Boys – American + MoE
- Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls – American + MoE
- Yasmina British Academy, Aldar Education – British
Abu Dhabi’s education landscape is expanding — and families stand to benefit. With seven new nurseries and two private schools now open across the emirate, parents can expect more choice, easier access, and high-quality learning environments from the earliest years onward.
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