A newly added law with the aid of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) permitting nurseries to accept children as young as sooner or later old has sparked considerable debate amongst nursery proprietors, dad and mom, and caregivers. The updated policy, in order to formally come into impact in the 2025-2026 academic year, represents a main shift in the tips for early early life enrollment. Previously, nurseries have been simplest authorized to simply accept youngsters aged months and older.
The regulation, which will be implemented in the course of the 2024-2025 academic 12 months on a phased foundation, is part of ADEK’s broader method to establish honest admission requirements across the emirate. By reducing the age of admission, the coverage goals to make certain equal possibilities for children, no matter their family situations. However, the exchange has provoked combined reactions, with many dad and mom and nursery operators expressing subject about the impact of any such drastic shift on newborns.
Concerns from Parents
Many dad and mom are strongly against the concept of enrolling newborns in nurseries right now after birth. Rami Hammadi, a father of a forty seven-day-old baby, Khaled, voiced his objections, mentioning that he believes newborns should continue to be with their moms throughout the early tiers of life. “I strongly oppose this feature, particularly because the UAE authorities offers good enough maternity leave for running mothers,” he said. Hammadi emphasised the significance of breastfeeding all through the primary few months, which he believes is crucial for the child’s development and fitness.
Similarly, Oussama Mohamad, a Palestinian father of three, expressed his notion that kids under the age of 4 do now not require formal schooling. “They want to devour, play, sleep, and be by their mother’s side for care and nurturing. The early years must be approximately bonding with the mom and constructing connections,” he stated. Although Mohamad did now not sign up his youngsters in nurseries, he mentioned that some moms, especially the ones with out own family guide, might also don’t have any other alternative but to depend on outside care.
Um Maryam, another mom, also expressed skepticism about sending newborns to nurseries. She believes the important early bonding duration between mom and infant must now not be disrupted. “This is a vital time for each mom and toddler; the mom desires to be across the infant to ensure their protection and health,” she stated, stressing that the proper time for nursery enrollment could be after the kid turns one year old.
Support for the Policy
While the coverage has drawn grievance from certain dad and mom, others see the change as an affordable adjustment, particularly for operating mother and father without own family guide. Fatima A, an Emirati mom of 3, found the policy to be “pretty logical,” specially for mother and father who have no one to assist take care of their children while they return to work. Although Fatima did now not sign up her own youngsters in nurseries till they were two years vintage, she acknowledged the problem that some families face in balancing work and childcare obligations. “It’s remarkable for parents who work and haven’t any region to depart their babies,” she said.
Similarly, Um Maryam, who has experienced the challenges of being a new mother, agreed that the new policy could be a lifeline for mother and father in want of professional childcare offerings. “New mothers who don’t have experience might be beaten via the toddler’s desires,” she referred to, declaring that the coverage might be useful for individuals who lack family assist and can not have the funds for to stay at domestic with their infant.
Nursery Operators’ Views
Nursery owners have additionally expressed combined reactions to the up to date regulation. Ghada Abu Assi, the owner and supervisor of Super Nanny Nursery, stated that despite the fact that she does not count on many moms opting to drop off their newborns right now after delivery, her nursery is ready to accept babies as younger as in the future vintage if important. “I can’t imagine a mother doing that, dropping her toddler on the nursery immediately from the sanatorium,” she stated, although she clarified that her nursery has the essential centers and group of workers to take care of infants from day one.
Super Nanny Nursery is ready to deal with as much as five toddlers underneath six months of age at a time, making sure customized care. Abu Assi, however, mentioned that she had only acquired two babies underneath one month of age within the past 8 years, typically under special situations consisting of moms with essential jobs who need to go back to paintings early.
Afnan Kittineh, the supervisor of My Soft Steps Centre, raised issues about the effect of admitting newborns. “There ought to be a specialized nurse due to the fact it’s miles a completely sensitive age,” she defined. Kittineh emphasised the demanding situations that nurseries could face in assembly the particular care needs of newborns, particularly within the early weeks after they require extra attention.
Another nursery operator in Abu Dhabi, who wanted to stay nameless, expressed wonder on the policy trade, stressing that the primary few months of a baby’s lifestyles are crucial for their physical and emotional development. “The infant desires its mom and a sanitized environment. The first few months are important, and the infant needs to get used to breastfeeding,” she explained, noting that her nursery typically accepts babies beginning at 45 days old, once they’re capable of feed on pumped breast milk.
Looking Ahead
As the brand new regulation is gradually implemented over the subsequent educational 12 months, it will likely be exciting to look how both parents and nurseries adapt to the modifications. While some mother and father remain concerned approximately the consequences of enrolling newborns in early childcare, others view it as a important adjustment for running mother and father going through childcare demanding situations. Nursery proprietors will need to cautiously bear in mind the way to meet the specific care wishes of infants, specially folks who are simply days or weeks vintage.
Ultimately, the policy is designed to offer flexibility and alternatives for mother and father, especially the ones with out extended circle of relatives guide. The achievement of this policy will depend in large part on how properly nurseries can balance the needs of being concerned for newborns with imparting a supportive, nurturing surroundings for young children.
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