This Dubai Nursery Is Hiring Local Mothers to Preserve Emirati Culture

In an effort to preserve Emirati culture and promote the Arabic language, Al Freej Nursery in Dubai is hiring local mothers over the age of 50 to engage with children and create a warm, family-like environment. This initiative aims to counter the decline of Arabic language usage among young children, many of whom are increasingly influenced by English-language games and media.

Launched by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, The nursery, which accepts children between the ages of 1 and 4, employs senior mothers with qualifications in early childhood education and relevant experience to instill a sense of national identity and traditional values in the children.

With its three classrooms, a clinic, and both indoor and outdoor play areas, the nursery is designed to create a strong cultural connection for the children. The rooms are named after heritage figures, such as "Dkhtoora Zainab," a tribute to a respected late doctor in the UAE, while the children's uniforms reflect traditional Emirati clothing — boys in kandura and girls in mukhawara.

Al Freej Nursery is collaborating with Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) to further its cultural initiatives, with plans to open a second location in Dubai next year.