As part of the UAE government's efforts to resume economic activities in the country in the post-pandemic process, the Ministry of Education and National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) have recently announced the reopening of nurseries and childcare centres.

However, nurseries and childcare centres will get approval to reopen their services based on their preparedness to fulfill all health and safety procedures and requirements amid the prevailing pandemic circumstances. Therefore, it is important for nurseries and childcare centres to ensure all precautionary and preventive measures and take care of necessary requirements for the protection of children before reopening their activities.

In view of the approved national protocols by concerned authorities, a set of precautionary measures have been issued which will be applied in the nurseries and childcare centres to ensure the health and safety of children and staff. These measures will include conducting temperature checks and regulating the entry and movement of staff and parents to these institutions.

Furthermore, all staff have to undergo mandatory COVID-19 tests periodically every two weeks, along with regular monitoring of the health status of all children and staff in nurseries and childcare centres.

It is essential to perform regular sterilization and hygiene procedures of the premises and of toys and games. Physical spacing of 1.5 meters between every children must be ensured. One group of children must be seated at a maximum distance of 3.5 square meters with the other group. In addition, groups of children must be separated on the basis of age group with determining the maximum size for each group to ensure the health and safety of all children. At the same time, toys and games must not be shared between groups, and parents are required to provide meals to their children for minimum physical contact between kids.

The Ministry of Education and concerned educational authorities are required to ensure the readiness of nurseries and childcare centres and that all health and safety requirements and procedures have been strictly followed. Authorities will carry out regular inspections of nurseries to ensure that all precautionary and preventive measures are being implemented. Any violation of health and safety rules will invite sanctions by the authorities.

WAM