The landscape of business setup in Dubai has created many lucrative business opportunities for foreign investors one of them being daycare centres. Just like any other big city, families in Dubai have both parents working eight to five. The hectic time constraint makes them unable to care for their young children during working hours. People with good financial backing often hire a nanny to take care of their kids during the entire day. However, daycare centres are one of the most popular choices for most parents in Dubai.
The demand for daycare centres has grown exponentially in Dubai over the years as both men and women find equal employment opportunities in the emirate. Starting a daycare centre in Dubai mainland requires you to go through a series of steps and requirements. Most importantly, you need to get external approval from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). The process can be made easier by applying through business setup consultants in Dubai.
If you’re interested in opening a daycare business in Dubai, keep reading. You will learn about the licensing and other key requirements involved in this process:
Key Things to Remember Before Starting a Daycare Centre
Entrepreneurs wishing to start a daycare centre in Dubai must remember that they need to handle their responsibilities efficiently as it involves the well-being of young children. You will have to take care of a child’s safety, security, food, education, and fun. Fulfilling all these critical responsibilities requires you to have dedication, patience, and resources to succeed in the business. If you think you are ready, consider the following:
- Select a safe and secure location for the centre
- Decide on the age range of children your centre is catering to
- Have a plan for safety and securityprecautions
- Ensure to hire qualified and certified personnel to care for the kids
- Install additional specialised equipment, if required
Steps to Obtain a Daycare Centre License in Dubai
Obtaining a daycare license in Dubai is a time-consuming process. You have to first obtain a trade license from the Department of Economic Development (DED) as well as a permit from KHDA to start the business. The following steps must be executed to obtain a DED license. Consulting with business setup consultants in Dubai will ease the process.
1. Create a business plan
Drafting a good business plan should be your first step in starting a daycare business in Dubai. The strategy must include a brief description of the business, a synopsis, a company overview, and a market analysis. The business plan should also have a financial plan with projections.
2. Select a name for the daycare business
In the next step, select an attractive name for your business. However, the name should not violate the trade name guidelines of the government. The name should not be offensive or blasphemous. Avoid imitating the names of other businesses operating in the same industry. Company formation consultants in Dubai can assist you in determining whether the name complies with DED trade name guidelines.
3. Select a legal structure
Depending on the number of shareholders or partners, choose a legal structure for your business. The legal structure could be a sole establishment, Limited Liability Company (LLC) etc.
4. Find a suitable location
Find the right location for your business in Dubai. The location should be accessible and the centre must comply with KHDA guidelines. Once the space for the centre has been identified, you should sign the tenancy contract and submit it to the DED.
5. Get Approval from KHDA
Once the initial approval has been secured from the DED, you should apply for a permit from the KHDA. Business setup consultants in Dubai can assist you in this process.
Process of Obtaining KHDA Approval for a Daycare Centre
The below steps must be followed to obtain a daycare centre permit from the KHDA:
- Draft and submit an Education and Care Plan (ECP), which includes the proposed infrastructure, services, staffing, and pedagogical approach
- If KHDA approves the ECP, you can start construction or adaptation of the planned premises
- You can also advertise, shortlist, interview and select a candidate for Centre Manager
- Obtain additional approvals if required from relevant authorities such as Dubai Municipality, Civil Defense and Dubai Health Authority.
- KHDA’s compliance team inspects the centre to assess the readiness of the premises
- If the KHDA finds the centre to be operation-ready, it will issue the permit
Qualifications for Daycare Centre Manager
The recruitment, selection and appointment of a centre manager are one of the most critical aspects of setting up a daycare business in Dubai. KHDA approval must be obtained before formally appointing a centre manager. The daycare centre manager must have a bachelor’s degree or professional certification in leading an early learning centre.
How can Jitendra Business Consultants Help You?
Setting up a daycare centre in Dubai is a highly regulated process that requires the expert assistance of experienced professionals. The best business setup consultants in Dubai such as Jitendra Business Consultants (JBC) can make the process quick, simple, and economical. Our qualified consultants are well-versed in all the critical elements of business setup in Dubai.
We provide a wide range of services including document drafting, bank account opening assistance, PRO services, VAT registration & filing etc. JBC also helps you to meet compliance requirements related to Economic Substance Regulations (ESR), Anti-Money Laundering & Combatting Financing of Terrorism (AML-CFT), and Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) etc. Hire JBC for a quick and hassle-free company formation in Dubai.
