The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has unveiled a progressive policy enabling infants as young as one day old to enroll in nurseries, starting in the 2025–2026 academic year. This initiative aims to expand access to early childhood education, ensuring equitable opportunities for children regardless of age, background, or developmental needs. ADEK's announcement underscores its commitment to inclusivity and transparency in the admission process, with nurseries now mandated to prioritize fairness and only reject applications once enrollment capacity is reached.

The new policy introduces comprehensive guidelines to create a fair and non-discriminatory framework across early childhood institutions. Nurseries are required to comply with UAE’s Federal Laws on Child Rights and People of Determination, ensuring equal opportunities for children with special needs and those awaiting vaccination records. Additionally, ADEK has addressed the growing demand for quality early education by prioritizing inclusivity and outlining clear admission procedures, data requirements, and documentation criteria to benefit all families.

To meet increasing demand, ADEK has launched the Public Nurseries Project, which will establish 10 new public nurseries over the next two years, creating 4,000 additional seats for Emirati families. Over the next decade, the initiative is expected to support over 32,000 children, boosting enrollment rates and providing significant benefits to the community. This expansion not only lays the foundation for stronger educational outcomes but also enhances economic opportunities by enabling parents to join the workforce and creating jobs for Emirati educators.