Here Are The New Guidlines for Nurseries in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has approved the updated requirements for operating children’s nurseries in the emirate, effective from 1st July 2021.

Updated procedures for operating nurseries in the emirate include the continuation of operating with a lower capacity and caring for children in small groups or "bubbles".

However, bubbles now can include more children. For the age group of 45 days to 2 years, a bubble can include 12 children, up from 8, while for the age group of 2 years to 4 years, a bubble can include 16 children, up from 10.

Nurseries must continue to ensure a minimum space requirement of 3.5 square metres per child in each classroom, and 5 square metres in open areas.

The procedures also include gradual closure of a nursery, if needed, rather than immediately closing the full nursery. As per the update, the bubble in which a positive case is detected will be closed for 10 days. If three or more bubbles are affected, then the entire nursery will close for 10 days, based on specific measures.

"During the pandemic, parents, their employers, and nursery operators worked closely together to minimise the impact of reducing nurseries’ capacity while also ensuring children receive the important care they need." Mariam Al Hallami, Division Director of the Early Childhood Education at the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge said.

The operating procedures will also continue to include: conducting regular inspections to ensure health procedures are implemented; providing all staff with mandatory virtual training on implementing COVID-19 protocols; appointing a health and safety officer, and hiring a nurse in every nursery, who will check the temperature of children, educators and staff daily, and not admit any person with a potential coronavirus symptom.

This article was previously published on UAE Moments.To see the original article, click here