Childcare Costs in Dubai (2025)
Childcare in Dubai is expensive—often surprisingly so for families relocating. Between nurseries, nannies, and after-school care, you could spend AED 3,000-15,000+ per month per child before they even start school.
Here's what you'll actually pay for childcare options in Dubai, plus how to find quality care without breaking the bank.
Monthly Childcare Costs
| Option | Monthly Cost | Ages |
|---|---|---|
| Budget nursery | AED 2,000-3,500 | 45 days - 4 years |
| Mid-range nursery | AED 3,500-5,500 | 45 days - 4 years |
| Premium nursery | AED 5,500-9,000 | 45 days - 4 years |
| Live-out nanny | AED 3,500-6,000 | Any age |
| Live-in nanny | AED 2,500-4,500 + room | Any age |
| After-school care | AED 1,500-3,500 | School age |
Full-time rates. Part-time options often available at 60-70% of full rate.
Nursery & Daycare Costs
Nurseries in Dubai accept children from 45 days old. Most offer full-day care (7am-6pm), with fees varying dramatically by location, curriculum, and facilities.
Nursery Fee Ranges (Monthly)
| Tier | Monthly Fee | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | AED 2,000-3,500 | Basic care, simple facilities, Arabic or mixed curriculum |
| Mid-range | AED 3,500-5,500 | Good facilities, British/American curriculum, structured learning |
| Premium | AED 5,500-7,500 | Excellent facilities, low ratios, specialized programs |
| Luxury | AED 7,500-10,000+ | Best facilities, celebrity staff, organic meals, extras included |
By Age Group
| Age | Monthly Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0-12 months | AED 3,500-8,000 | Highest fees, lowest ratios required |
| 1-2 years | AED 3,000-7,000 | Still high supervision needs |
| 2-3 years | AED 2,500-6,000 | More independent |
| 3-4 years (FS1) | AED 2,500-5,500 | Pre-school prep, some schools start here |
Additional Nursery Costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | AED 500-2,500 | One-time, non-refundable |
| Deposit | AED 1,000-5,000 | Usually 1 month fee, refundable |
| Uniform | AED 200-500 | Annual, some nurseries require |
| Meals | AED 0-400/month | Some include, others charge extra |
| Transport | AED 400-800/month | If needed, varies by distance |
| Summer camp | AED 200-400/week | Optional holiday care |
Premium nurseries in popular areas (Marina, Downtown, JBR) often have 6-12 month waiting lists. Apply before you move if possible. Mid-range nurseries usually have availability within 1-2 months.
Nanny & Maid Costs
Many families in Dubai employ domestic help. It's more affordable than in Western countries and often necessary when both parents work and nursery hours don't align with work schedules.
Live-In Nanny/Maid
| Expense | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly salary | AED 2,500-4,500 | Varies by nationality and experience |
| Visa & medical | AED 5,000-7,000 | Initial setup, then renewal every 2 years |
| Health insurance | AED 1,500-3,000/year | Mandatory |
| Food allowance | AED 300-500/month | Or provide food |
| Flight home (annual) | AED 1,500-3,000 | Contract requirement |
| Agency fee | AED 5,000-15,000 | One-time placement fee |
Live-In Nanny Total Cost
Monthly: AED 3,000-5,000 (salary + food + insurance amortized)
Annual: AED 40,000-65,000 all-in
First year: Add AED 10,000-25,000 for visa, agency, setup
Live-Out Nanny
| Type | Monthly Salary | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (no experience) | AED 3,500-4,500 | 8-10 hours/day |
| Full-time (experienced) | AED 4,500-6,000 | 8-10 hours/day |
| Part-time | AED 2,000-3,500 | 4-6 hours/day |
| After-school only | AED 1,500-2,500 | School pickup + care |
Live-out nannies handle their own visa/housing. You pay gross salary.
Occasional Babysitting
| Type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Casual babysitter | AED 50-80/hour | Evening/weekend rates |
| Professional sitter (agency) | AED 80-120/hour | Vetted, insured |
| Overnight care | AED 300-500 | Per night |
| Weekend nanny share | AED 150-250/day | Split with other family |
Some families share a nanny with neighbors, splitting costs 50/50. Works well for part-time care needs. Check community Facebook groups for families looking to share.
After-School Care
Schools typically end at 2:30-3:30pm, but work doesn't. Most schools offer after-school programs (ASAs), or you can use external providers.
| Option | Monthly Cost | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| School ASA program | AED 1,500-3,500 | Until 5-6pm |
| External after-school club | AED 2,000-4,000 | Until 6-7pm |
| Nanny pickup + care | AED 1,500-2,500 | Flexible hours |
| Activity-based (sports/music) | AED 800-2,000 | 2-3 days/week |
School Holiday Care
Dubai schools have ~12 weeks of holiday per year. Working parents need to plan for coverage. Options include camps, nanny care, or family visits home.
| Option | Weekly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| School holiday camp | AED 800-1,500 | Often at the school, familiar environment |
| Sports camp | AED 700-1,500 | Football, swimming, multi-sport |
| Activity camp (premium) | AED 1,500-3,000 | STEM, arts, adventure |
| Full-day nursery care | AED 500-1,000/week | For younger kids |
| Additional nanny hours | AED 100-200/day | Extend current help |
Annual Holiday Care Budget
12 weeks Ă— AED 1,000-2,000/week = AED 12,000-24,000/year per child
Many families combine camps (6 weeks), trips home (4 weeks), and annual leave (2 weeks) to reduce this cost.
Complete Childcare Budgets
Toddler (2 years) - Budget Option
- Budget nursery (full-time): AED 2,800
- Meals included: AED 0
- Transport (own drop-off): AED 0
Monthly: AED 2,800 | Annual: ~AED 34,000
Toddler (2 years) - Mid-Range
- Mid-range nursery: AED 4,500
- Meals: Included
- Transport: AED 500
- Holiday camps (12 weeks): AED 1,000/month amortized
Monthly: AED 6,000 | Annual: ~AED 72,000
School-Age Child - With After-School Care
- School fees: See education guide
- After-school program: AED 2,000
- Activities (2x/week): AED 800
- Holiday camps: AED 1,200/month amortized
Monthly (excl school fees): AED 4,000 | Annual: ~AED 48,000
Two Kids + Live-In Nanny
- Live-in nanny (all-in): AED 4,500
- Older child school fees: Separate
- Younger child part-time nursery: AED 2,500
- Activities/extras: AED 1,000
Monthly: AED 8,000 | Annual: ~AED 96,000
Plus first-year setup costs of AED 15,000-25,000
Common Questions
FS1 (Foundation Stage 1) starts at age 3-4, FS2 at age 4-5, and Year 1 at age 5-6. Before FS1, children attend nursery. Some schools accept from FS1, others from FS2 or Year 1. Check individual school policies.
Depends on how many children. One child: nursery usually cheaper. Two children: live-in nanny often more cost-effective, especially factoring in flexibility and holiday coverage. Three+ children: nanny almost always cheaper.
Yes. You need: minimum salary (AED 15,000/month or AED 25,000 for non-Arabs), adequate housing, and to handle MOHRE application. Process takes 4-8 weeks. Many use agencies for convenience, but direct sponsorship is possible.
Varies widely. Always confirm: meals, transport, diapers/formula, uniform, registration, late pickup fees, and summer term costs. Some 'cheap' nurseries have many extras; some 'expensive' ones are all-inclusive.
Check KHDA ratings (Dubai's education regulator), visit in person, ask current parents, and join expat Facebook groups for recommendations. Location matters—a nursery near home or work reduces daily stress significantly.
No government subsidies for expats. Some employers offer childcare allowances as part of packages—always negotiate this. Nursery fees and nanny costs are not tax-deductible (no income tax in Dubai anyway).
Agencies charge AED 5,000-15,000 placement fees but handle paperwork, screening, and replacements if it doesn't work out. Good for first-time employers. Direct hiring is cheaper but requires more legwork.
Live-out nannies can be part-time. Live-in helpers are typically full-time due to visa requirements. Some families hire part-time help without visa sponsorship (they have their own visa), which is technically a gray area but common.
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