On Emirati Children’s Day, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) is announcing the development of a comprehensive assessment system to evaluate the quality of services available to young children, extending beyond nurseries and schools.
This includes a wide range of offerings such as camps, after-school programs, children’s libraries, parks, playgrounds, children’s museums, cultural centres with dedicated children’s spaces, family entertainment centres, and play areas.
The goal of this assessment system is to enhance and evaluate the quality of services and programs available to families, ensuring that children across the Abu Dhabi Emirate have access to safe, enriching, and high-quality experiences.
The system will be developed by the ECA, with engagement and input already gathered from its partners, specifically the Department of Community Development (DCD), Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Department of Economic Development (DCD), Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), Ministry of Education (MoE), Department of Health (DoH), Ma’an, Family Care Authority (FCA), Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority (ADSSA), Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO) and the National Academy for Childhood Development (NACD).
The assessment system will employ a set of criteria, based on global leading practices but customised to the UAE’s culture, values and context. It will assess a wide range of services targeting children aged 0-8, with plans to include services for children up to 18 years of age in future phases.
Sana bint Mohamed Suhail, Minister of Family and Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), said, “On this Emirati Children’s Day, we are saying loud and clear quality comes first. We are not just setting standards – we are raising the bar on offerings to children, beyond nurseries and schools and, transforming the experience for families and children. We are doing this so that every family’s experience is meaningful and memorable, in a positive way, and so that every parent can feel confident in the programmes their children are part of.
By prioritising quality, safety, and enrichment, we are working to ensure that every child in Abu Dhabi has the opportunity to grow, explore, and thrive in environments that nurture their full potential. We believe that the offerings and services being assessed will also benefit, as it helps to increase their attractiveness, potentially drawing in more families”.
In alignment with the ECA’s commitment to ensuring every child in Abu Dhabi reaches their full potential, exceptional services will be acknowledged, while those that fall short of the required standards will receive support, guidance, and resources to help enhance their quality.
