Top Nurseries in Abu Dhabi (2026)
Searching for nurseries, preschools, or early learning centers in Abu Dhabi? This guide shares trusted options favored by local families and newcomers alike.
Redwood Montessori Nursery
- Address: Saadiyat Island & Khalifa City branches
- Phone: +971 2 556 8900
- Age Range: 15 months - 6 years
- Annual Fees: AED 65,000 - 85,000
- Languages: English, Arabic, French
- Rating: 4.7/5
Discovery Nursery
- Address: Al Reem Island, Marina Square
- Phone: +971 2 443 4567
- Age Range: 6 months - 4 years
- Annual Fees: AED 45,000 - 60,000
- Specialties: Early Years Foundation, Play-based learning
- Rating: 4.5/5
Falcon British Nursery
- Address: Near Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Zayed Sports City
- Phone: +971 2 556 7777
- Hours: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM (Mon-Thu), 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM (Fri)
- Age Range: 3 months - 4 years
- Curriculum: UK EYFS, trilingual (English, French, Arabic)
- Annual Fees: AED 48,000 - 63,000
- Rating: 4.5/5 (23+ reviews)
Ladybird Nursery
- Address: Villa 18, 4th Street, Al Zaabi Area (Tourist Club)
- Phone: +971 2 667 3881 | +971 2 658 1876
- Hours: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM (Mon-Fri), 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Sat)
- Age Range: 3 months - 4 years
- Curriculum: British EYFS blended with Montessori principles
- Annual Fees: AED 45,000 - 60,000
- Special: Large outdoor play areas, speech development
- Rating: 4.7/5 (20+ reviews)
Odyssey Nursery
- Address: Khalifa City A & Mushrif branches
- Phone: +971 2 559 3333 (Khalifa) | +971 2 559 4444 (Mushrif)
- Hours: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM (Mon-Fri)
- Age Range: 6 months - 4 years
- Curriculum: Reggio Emilia with American curriculum, trilingual
- Annual Fees: AED 50,000 - 65,000
- Special: Art atelier, outdoor learning spaces, parent workshops
Noha's Ark Nursery
- Address: Najda Street & Muroor Road branches
- Phone: +971 2 621 0000 | +971 50 123 4567
- Hours: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM (Mon-Fri), 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Sat)
- Age Range: 6 months - 4 years
- Curriculum: UK EYFS with Arabic and Islamic studies
- Annual Fees: AED 40,000 - 55,000
- Special: Speech therapy, Islamic values, parent programs
- Rating: 4.5/5 (80+ reviews)
Greenopia Eco Preschool
- Address: Al Rowdah, near Umm Al Emarat Park, Villa No. 5
- Phone: +971 2 444 5555
- Hours: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Mon-Fri)
- Age Range: 18 months - 4 years
- Curriculum: Reggio-inspired with UK EYFS, bilingual Arabic-English
- Annual Fees: AED 42,000 - 56,000
- Special: Organic garden, recycling programs, nature-based learning
- Rating: 5.0/5 (13+ reviews)
Bright Kids Nursery
- Address: Muroor Road, Al Mushrif area
- Phone: +971 2 447 8888
- Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Mon-Fri)
- Age Range: 4 months - 4 years
- Curriculum: Froebel and Modern Montessori with EYFS
- Annual Fees: AED 38,000 - 52,000
- Why Choose: Affordable quality, caring staff, excellent teaching
- Rating: 4.5/5 (34+ reviews)
British Orchard Nursery
- Address: Al Bateen, near American Community School
- Phone: +971 2 666 1234
- Hours: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM (Mon-Fri), 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Sat)
- Age Range: 6 months - 4 years
- Curriculum: British EYFS with Arabic and French
- Annual Fees: AED 45,000 - 62,000
- Branches: Al Bateen, Khalidiya, Reem Island
- Rating: 4.5/5 (28+ reviews)
Little Steps Nursery (Budget Option)
- Address: Mussafah, Abu Dhabi
- Annual Fees: AED 18,000 - 28,000
- Curriculum: ADEK approved, bilingual Arabic-English
- Best for: Families seeking quality education at lower fees
- Note: Located further from city center, larger class sizes (12-15 kids)
Fee Tiers & Budget Planning
Budget: AED 18,000 - 40,000/year
- Falcon British Nursery: AED 25,000-40,000 (transport + meals included)
- Little Steps Nursery (Mussafah): AED 18,000-28,000
- Smart Kids Nursery (Mohammed bin Zayed): AED 22,000-35,000
- Bright Kids Nursery: AED 38,000-52,000
Mid-Range: AED 40,000 - 65,000/year
- Discovery Nursery: AED 45,000-60,000 (British Foundation Stage)
- Ladybird Nursery: AED 45,000-60,000 (EYFS + Montessori)
- British Orchard Nursery: AED 45,000-62,000 (3 branches)
- Falcon British Nursery: AED 48,000-63,000 (UK EYFS, trilingual)
- Odyssey Nursery: AED 50,000-65,000 (Reggio Emilia)
Premium: AED 65,000 - 85,000/year
- Redwood Montessori: AED 65,000-85,000 (multilingual, Saadiyat Island)
- Smaller class sizes (8-10 kids), premium facilities
Additional Costs to Budget For
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Registration fee | AED 500 - 2,000 |
| Uniform | AED 200 - 500 |
| Books & materials | AED 300 - 800/year |
| Payment plan | 3 installments (Sep, Jan, Apr) |
Enrollment Guide & Tips
Best Time to Apply
- February-April: Peak admission season for September start
- Wait lists are common - apply to 2-3 nurseries simultaneously
- Apply 6 months before your desired start date
- Visit during operational hours to see facilities and meet teachers
- Most nurseries offer tours on weekdays 9 AM - 12 PM
Required Documents
- Passport copies (parents and child)
- UAE residence visa
- Emirates ID
- Vaccination records (up to date)
- Birth certificate (translated if not in English/Arabic)
Choosing the Right Nursery
- British EYFS: Best for families planning UK/British school pathway
- Montessori: Best for encouraging independence and self-directed learning
- Reggio Emilia: Best for creative, project-based learning
- Islamic curriculum: Available at Noha's Ark with EYFS standards
- Location matters: Consider proximity to home and work
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best preschool in Abu Dhabi?
Top-rated nurseries: Redwood Montessori (4.7/5, AED 65,000-85,000/year, multilingual), Discovery Nursery (4.5/5, AED 45,000-60,000/year, British Foundation Stage), Falcon British Nursery (4.5/5, AED 48,000-63,000/year, ADEK approved). Redwood offers English, Arabic, and French. Discovery focuses on play-based learning. Falcon is UK-accredited with trilingual instruction. Greenopia Eco Preschool holds a perfect 5.0/5 rating for its nature-based Reggio approach.
How much does nursery cost in Abu Dhabi?
Nursery fees range: Budget options AED 18,000-40,000/year (Falcon British, Little Steps Mussafah, Smart Kids MBZ), Mid-range AED 45,000-65,000/year (Discovery Nursery, Ladybird, British Orchard, Odyssey), Premium AED 65,000-85,000/year (Redwood Montessori). Most nurseries accept payment in 3 installments (September, January, April). Additional costs: Registration fee AED 500-2,000, uniform AED 200-500, books/materials AED 300-800/year.
When should I apply for nursery in Abu Dhabi?
Best time: February-April for September start (peak admission season). Popular nurseries fill up quickly - apply 6 months before your desired start date. Wait lists are common, so apply to 2-3 nurseries. Visit during operational hours to see facilities, meet teachers, and observe classes. Most nurseries offer tours on weekdays 9 AM-12 PM. Bring required documents: passport copies, visa, Emirates ID, vaccination records.
What is the difference between British and Montessori nurseries?
British nurseries (Discovery, Falcon): Follow Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, structured play-based learning, prepare for British primary schools. Montessori nurseries (Redwood): Child-led learning, hands-on activities, mixed age groups, focus on independence and self-directed exploration. British better for: Families planning UK/British school pathway, structured routines. Montessori better for: Encouraging independence, multilingual education, child-paced learning.
Are there affordable nurseries in Abu Dhabi under AED 40,000?
Yes! Budget-friendly options: Falcon British Nursery (AED 25,000-40,000, Khalifa City A, transport + meals included), Little Steps Nursery (AED 18,000-28,000, Mussafah), Smart Kids Nursery (AED 22,000-35,000, Mohammed bin Zayed City), Bright Kids Nursery (AED 38,000-52,000, Muroor Road). These nurseries are ADEK approved and offer quality education at lower fees. Trade-offs: Located further from city center, fewer premium facilities, larger class sizes (12-15 kids vs 8-10 in premium).