Recently, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai introduced a new policy allowing children aged 0-6 to opt for home-based learning. Considering the ongoing regional tensions in the country along with the US-Israel and Iran war, the authority said the initiative is aimed at flexible education and supports diverse learning environments.
Now, the KHDA has specified the rules for this distance learning system. In an interview with Khaleej Times, the education regulator revealed that parents cannot directly apply for Centre-Led Home-Based Learning (CLHL) services with nurseries retaining full control over rollout, staffing and approvals.
The CLHL will function under a tightly regulated framework, used only during government-mandated distance learning periods for the students and will conclude within five days after in-person learning resumes.
A temporary arrangement
Dr Amna Almaazmi, CEO of Growth and Human Development at KHDA explained that the model is designed as a temporary emergency learning situation rather than a permanent parent-driven service. It was done to ensure continuity of early years education while keeping responsibility firmly with licensed providers.
Parents must contact the nursery for services
Parents have options of two different types of services in situations when in-person attendance in the nursery is not possible.
CLHL Hub: This is where a licensed early childhood centre operates a small, regulated setting in a residential home, serving up to eight children with the centre's own qualified staff.
CLHL Educator arrangement: This is where a centre sends one of its trained and vetted employees to a single family's home to provide learning and care for that family's children only.
Almaazmi underscored that these services are offered by licensed early childhood centres and they play a central role in managing the entire process. Parents can not directly apply for the services and must speak with their child's nursery to find out whether the centre plans to offer these services. "The centre manages the entire process, including application to KHDA, risk assessment, staffing, ensuring adequate insurance arrangements, and parent agreements," she noted.
Strict approval process to be followed
KHDA stressed that the authority does not inspect the homes used for CLHL hubs directly and the responsibility sits with the licensed nursery. The centre must conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of the home including physical environment, health and hygiene, safeguarding arrangements, supervision and any age-specific considerations.
This is then submitted to the KHDA along with other key documents including safeguarding policies, a staff register with qualifications and clearance details, supervision arrangements, and signed declarations covering insurance and permission to host.
Consistent monitoring by centres and KHDA
Once approved, monitoring of the centres remains a shared responsibility between the centres and KHDA, ensuring continuous oversight. Centres are required to have robust supervision and monitoring policies in place for staff working off-site, including regular check-ins, line management arrangements, and access to a Designated Safeguarding Lead at all times.
Meanwhile, KHDA will review these reports and take action if any safeguarding or compliance concerns arise. Lastly, Almaazmi reminded that CLHL services are temporary and only allowed during government-mandated distance learning such as weather, health or safety-related disruptions.
