Innovation and Transformation in Early Childhood Education in the UAE

Abstract

This chapter explores the development of Early Childhood Education in the UAE, focusing on the period between birth and compulsory school age. A distinction is made between Early Childhood Care and Education, focusing on the age group birth to four and Early Childhood Education, focusing on the age group four to six. The contexts of public and private education are explored across the age range, including in-home care, public nurseries, federal nurseries, public kindergartens and kindergarten provision in private schools. Investments in early childhood give children enhanced opportunities for success later in life. Progress has been made in the UAE for the age range four to six years in terms of enhancing quality through rigorous inspection frameworks based on international best practice, as well as in terms of curriculum reform in public schools for that age group. However, for the age range of birth to four years, there has been limited progress in terms of service provision for the age range birth to four years. Quality assurance standards have been raised, but there is still no national curriculum framework in place in the UAE for the early years. The importance of this embodiment of a society’s educational aims and purposes appears well understood for school age children as the nation continues to refine and reform curriculum. The development of a curriculum framework for early childhood care and education is of critical importance in terms of reflecting broad societal values and aspirations and achieving the vision of the UAE.