Childcare Costs in Dubai: Nursery & Nanny Prices
Childcare is the expense that blindsides new parents in Dubai. School fees get all the attention, but for families with children under five, nursery fees or a nanny’s salary often costs more than rent — and the choice between the two changes your budget by AED 30,000 or more a year. This guide breaks down real 2026 childcare costs in Dubai: nursery fees, nanny salaries, visa and sponsorship costs, and the Tadbeer rules.
The short answer
A British-curriculum nursery in Dubai typically costs AED 20,000–45,000 a year for a mid-range option (budget nurseries start around AED 18,000; premium Jumeirah nurseries exceed AED 100,000 a year). A full-time live-in nanny costs AED 2,500–4,000 a month in salary plus roughly AED 10,000–14,000 a year in visa, insurance, leave and flights — all-in around AED 40,000–62,000 a year. A live-out nanny costs AED 3,500–5,500 a month, and part-time nannies run AED 35–60 an hour. For one child the two options cost roughly the same; for two or more children a nanny is usually cheaper.
Nursery costs in Dubai
Dubai has hundreds of private nurseries, most following the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, with Montessori and Reggio Emilia options mixed in. They accept children from 45 days old up to age 4–5, and the nursery year runs September to August with winter, spring and summer breaks. Fees are quoted per term (three terms a year) or per year, and vary dramatically by area.
Budget nurseries: AED 18,000–26,000 a year
Nurseries in areas like Discovery Gardens, Al Nahda and suburban communities charge around AED 6,000–9,000 a term. Large chains are best value: British Orchard Nursery branches start around AED 19,000 a year, and Chubby Cheeks in Discovery Gardens runs about AED 21,000–35,000 a year.
Mid-range nurseries: AED 30,000–45,000 a year
The typical British-curriculum nursery in JVC, Al Barsha, Mirdif or Silicon Oasis charges AED 10,000–15,000 a term, or about AED 30,000–45,000 a year for a full-week programme. Step by Step Nursery is around AED 36,000 a year, and many well-reviewed mid-range nurseries sit in the AED 30,000–40,000 band; a 3-day week runs AED 7,000–9,000 a term.
Premium nurseries: AED 60,000–159,000+ a year
Nurseries in Jumeirah, the Palm and similar areas charge AED 38,000–53,000 a term — roughly AED 114,000–159,000 a year with extras. You are paying for the postcode and boutique facilities, not a different curriculum.
Nursery extras to budget
- Application fee: around AED 525 (non-refundable)
- Administration fee: around AED 630 a year
- Registration/re-enrolment: often a few thousand dirhams to hold the place
- Meals, transport, uniform and activities: usually charged separately
Add roughly AED 2,000–5,000 a year on top of the headline fee. Sibling discounts (often 5–10%) and corporate or Esaad card discounts can shave the bill — always ask.
Nanny costs in Dubai
A nanny is the flexible alternative: she comes to you, covers your hours, and can watch two or three children for roughly the same money. But the salary is only part of the cost — sponsorship, insurance and statutory leave add a real layer on top.
Live-in nanny salary: AED 2,500–4,000 a month
A full-time live-in nanny in Dubai typically earns AED 2,500–4,000 a month, with accommodation and meals provided. Most live postings cluster at AED 2,500–3,000 for experienced Filipino nannies; newborn specialists push toward the top of the band. It is the cheapest full-time option per hour of cover, but it means a spare room and sharing your home.
Live-out nanny salary: AED 3,500–5,500 a month
A live-out nanny — who keeps her own accommodation — typically earns AED 3,500–5,500 a month, since the salary has to cover her rent. Experienced live-out nannies with strong English or newborn specialisation command AED 5,000–7,000. You pay a premium for privacy and for keeping evenings and weekends your own.
Part-time nanny: AED 35–60 an hour
For after-school cover, date nights or a few mornings a week, licensed channels quote AED 35–60 an hour. A word of caution: casual off-the-books arrangements can breach MOHRE domestic worker rules, so use a licensed agency or Tadbeer hourly service.
Nanny visa and sponsorship costs
A two-year sponsorship package through a Tadbeer centre runs roughly AED 8,500–14,000, covering the entry permit, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, health insurance and the MOHRE-registered contract. The figure depends on nationality: Filipino placements run AED 15,000–22,000, Ethiopian AED 10,000–14,000, Indian or Sri Lankan AED 12,000–17,000. Sponsoring directly yourself costs around AED 17,000 plus a refundable AED 2,000 deposit.
Some centres offer monthly all-in packages from AED 2,500 a month — salary, visa and insurance bundled, with the centre as the legal employer. It costs more over two years, but removes the paperwork.
The costs beyond the salary
A sponsored nanny is an employee with statutory rights:
- Health insurance: mandatory; the basic tier is included in Tadbeer packages
- Annual leave: 30 days a year, and the family covers the return flight home every two years
- End-of-service: gratuity accrues under the Domestic Workers Law
Budget roughly AED 9,000–14,000 a year above the salary — taking a AED 3,000/month live-in nanny to an all-in cost of around AED 45,000–62,000 a year.
Tadbeer and MOHRE rules: the essentials
Domestic workers in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022. The practical points for parents:
- Tadbeer centres are MOHRE-licensed agencies that recruit, sponsor and manage domestic workers — there are dozens across Dubai. They are not strictly mandatory, but they are the simplest route — especially for first-time sponsors.
- To sponsor a nanny directly, an expat household generally needs a combined income of at least AED 25,000 a month — below that, the Tadbeer route is the option.
- Contracts run two years, renewable; salaries are paid through the Wages Protection System.
- The MOHRE unified employment contract sets working hours, rest days and leave — a nanny is not a 24/7 arrangement, even live-in.
Nursery vs nanny: the cost comparison
| Mid-range nursery | Live-in nanny | Live-out nanny | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cost (all-in) | AED 32,000–50,000 | AED 40,000–62,000 | AED 50,000–80,000 |
| Per month | AED 2,700–4,200 | AED 3,300–5,200 | AED 4,200–6,700 |
| Hours covered | ~7am–3pm, term-time | Flexible, incl. evenings | Fixed daytime shift |
| Second child | Full fee again | ~No extra cost | ~No extra cost |
| Household help | None | Often (cooking/cleaning) | Limited |
| School holidays | No cover (7+ weeks) | Covered | Covered |
| Socialisation | Structured, peer group | Limited | Limited |
| Your privacy | Full | Reduced (live-in) | Full |
For one child, the two cost roughly the same. For two children, the nanny pulls ahead — the nursery fee doubles while the nanny’s cost barely moves. For three or more, the nanny wins outright.
The childcare costs parents forget
- Nursery holidays: about seven weeks of summer break plus winter and spring — if both parents work, that is weeks of holiday camps or leave to fund.
- Nanny’s flight home: a return ticket every two years, typically AED 1,500–3,000.
- Health insurance tier: basic is included in Tadbeer packages, but check the cover — upgrades cost more.
- Your own lost income: the biggest hidden cost is a parent dropping to part-time or pausing work. Some stay-at-home parents offset this by freelancing — see our freelance visa cost guide.
From nursery to school: plan the whole arc
Childcare costs do not end at age four — they convert into school fees, which are bigger. A family paying AED 36,000 a year for nursery should know what British school fees in Dubai look like from FS1 onward, because the nursery-to-school jump can double the education bill overnight. For the affordable end of the market, see our cheapest schools in Dubai guide, and the full family picture in our cost of living for a family of four in Dubai. With a nanny on a visa you also need proper household cover — see what health insurance costs in Dubai.
Get Your Exact Number
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FAQs
How much does a nursery cost in Dubai?
Typically AED 20,000–45,000 a year for a mid-range British-curriculum nursery (AED 7,000–15,000 a term). Budget nurseries start around AED 18,000 a year; premium Jumeirah nurseries exceed AED 100,000 a year. Plus roughly AED 2,000–5,000 a year in extras.
How much does a full-time nanny cost in Dubai?
A live-in nanny costs AED 2,500–4,000 a month in salary plus about AED 10,000–14,000 a year in visa, insurance, leave and flights — all-in roughly AED 40,000–62,000 a year. A live-out nanny costs AED 3,500–5,500 a month.
Is a nanny or a nursery cheaper in Dubai?
For one child they cost about the same (mid-range nursery vs live-in nanny). For two or more children a nanny is usually cheaper, since nursery fees are charged per child while one nanny covers all your children.
How much is a nanny visa in Dubai?
A two-year sponsorship package through a Tadbeer centre costs roughly AED 8,500–14,000 depending on nationality (Filipino placements AED 15,000–22,000). Direct family sponsorship costs around AED 17,000 plus a refundable AED 2,000 deposit.
What salary do I need to sponsor a nanny in Dubai?
Expat households generally need a combined monthly income of at least AED 25,000 to sponsor directly; below that, use a Tadbeer centre.
What age can children start nursery in Dubai?
Most Dubai nurseries accept children from 45 days old up to age 4–5, following the British EYFS curriculum. The nursery year runs September to August with winter, spring and summer breaks.