New regulations for childcare centers: cameras and a correction deadline
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia announced the release of draft regulations for the management of childcare centers for the year 1447 AH. This strategic move aims to improve the quality of services provided, requiring facilities to install surveillance cameras and allocate specific spaces for each child. Existing centers have been given a 180-day grace period to adjust their operations to comply with the new standards. The Ministry clarified via its online survey platform that these new regulations will replace the previous regulations issued in 1443 AH and supersede any conflicting provisions. The new licenses will be valid for five years and renewable according to the specified requirements.
The development of the childcare sector in the Kingdom
Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has given great importance to the early childhood sector, considering it the cornerstone for building future generations. With the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, the urgent need to develop safe and reliable childcare environments has become evident, especially given the strategic focus on increasing women's participation in the labor market. The continuous updates to regulations, from the 1443 AH regulations to the current ones, reflect the government's commitment to providing a legislative infrastructure that keeps pace with social and economic changes and ensures the highest levels of care and protection for children in fully equipped environments.
Classifications and requirements for childcare centers
The new regulations classify childcare centers into three main types to meet the diverse needs of families: independent centers, home-based centers, and centers located at workplaces. Independent centers operate from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, while home-based centers extend their hours until 10:00 PM, with the possibility of operating 24 hours a day under a special license. To ensure the safety and comfort of children, the regulations stipulate a minimum of two square meters per child in the care area and emphasize the importance of installing continuously operating internal and external surveillance cameras with storage capacity to preserve recordings for at least 30 days.
Empowering national female cadres
In a move to promote Saudization and provide suitable job opportunities, the Ministry stipulated that the center director and childcare providers must be Saudi nationals as a fundamental requirement. The regulations also specify the number of childcare providers per child according to age group to ensure quality care; the ratio starts at one provider for every five newborns and increases to one provider for every 15 children for the six-to-ten-year-old age group.
Integrating people with disabilities and identifying activities
In the interest of promoting inclusivity, the regulations allow for the admission of children with mild disabilities, provided they submit a medical report confirming their suitability for inclusion and that an accessible environment is provided. In a related matter, the Ministry cautioned against teaching the Ministry of Education's school curriculum within these centers, emphasizing that activities should be limited to care programs, recreation, and the development of basic skills.
The economic and social impact of the new regulations
These updates will have a wide-ranging positive impact both locally and regionally. Locally, these regulations will provide working mothers with complete peace of mind regarding the safety of their children, positively impacting their productivity and job stability. They will also open up significant opportunities for employing Saudi women in safe and organized work environments. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom's adoption of stringent standards, including camera surveillance, space allocation, and supervisory ratios, positions it among the leading countries in childcare and makes its experience a model to be emulated in the Middle East for regulating the private childcare sector.
Compliance mechanism and penalties for violators
The regulations addressed the center owner's right to contract with licensed operators to manage the center, while remaining ultimately responsible to the Ministry. The owner also has the right to transfer ownership of the center to another person after fulfilling the regulatory requirements. To ensure compliance, the Ministry revealed a gradual and firm mechanism for addressing violations, beginning with an initial warning granting the center a 30-day grace period for corrective action. If the center fails to comply, a final warning is issued with a 15-day deadline, followed by severe penalties, including suspension of operations for one year or complete license revocation. The Ministry has mandated that all existing centers rectify their situations within 180 days, while also granting violators the right to appeal penalties before administrative courts within 60 days of being officially notified.
