UAE launches nationwide drive to improve childcare standards for nannies

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has launched a new national programme aimed at improving childcare standards among domestic workers by upskilling nannies through licensed recruitment offices across the UAE.

Announced on 12 December, the initiative, titled the Train the Trainer, is being delivered in partnership with the Child Safety Department in Sharjah. It is designed to equip trainers at Domestic Worker Recruitment Offices with the skills and knowledge needed to provide high-quality instruction to nannies on childcare and safety practices.

The first phase of the programme has been implemented in Dubai and targets the training of around 300 trainers drawn from all 135 licensed Domestic Worker Recruitment Offices operating nationwide. These trainers will be supervised by accredited specialists from the Child Safety Department and will go on to train nannies placed through their offices.

According to MoHRE, the programme forms part of its broader efforts to regulate the domestic worker recruitment sector, strengthen institutional capacity and ensure consistent application of child protection standards. By focusing on trainers rather than individual workers, the initiative aims to create a sustainable framework for skills development across the sector.

Strengthening UAE’s childcare framework

The programme prepares trainers to deliver structured guidance to nannies on essential childcare responsibilities, helping them perform their duties safely and effectively. It also seeks to enhance trainers’ professional competencies, increase awareness of the UAE’s legal framework governing domestic work and childcare and support national priorities around child welfare and protection.

Key areas covered include child safety at home, in vehicles and in public spaces, as well as digital safety. Participants are also trained to recognise signs of child abuse, understand prevention measures and follow established reporting procedures. This includes guidance on using the national child helpline (800700), and familiarisation with the provisions and penalties outlined in the Federal Law on Child Rights, commonly known as Wadeema’s Law.

MoHRE said the initiative reflects the UAE’s strong commitment to children’s wellbeing and demonstrates close coordination between federal and local authorities in delivering child-focused services. By embedding child protection standards into the training infrastructure of recruitment offices, the programme aims to establish a comprehensive and consistent model for childcare and safety across the country.

The Train the Trainer programme builds on existing cooperation between MoHRE and the Child Safety Department, which has previously included the publication of a Domestic Workers Guide and the delivery of nationwide training workshops. Those earlier sessions addressed practical safety issues and legal responsibilities and laid the groundwork for the expanded, more structured approach now being rolled out.

The ministry said the initiative aligns with the government’s long-standing approach to safeguarding children and enhancing professional standards within the domestic work sector, ensuring families and children benefit from well-trained and informed caregivers.