Some nurseries accept babies from as young as 3 months, although most prefer to take on children who are at walking age (around 12 months). Fees and timings vary dramatically so it’s best to call around and visit a few nurseries to get an idea of what’s available. As a general rule of thumb, most nurseries are open for four or five hours in the morning and charge anything from Dhs.3,000 to Dhs.12,000 per year. The more popular nurseries have long waiting lists so you should enrol your child before it’s even born. Some of the bigger primary schools also have nursery sections – if you’ve got a primary school in mind for your child, it’s worth checking to see if they have a nursery, as this may help you secure a place a few years down the line. There are a number of factors to consider when you are looking for a nursery and it is always a good idea to take your time to visit a number of schools. Try to drop in during the day so that you can have a look at the facilities while there are children in school. Many of the nurseries in Dubai operate morning hours which may rule them out if you are working. However many also run late classes for an extra fee, while a number of them have early-bird drop-offs as well as running term break classes and summer school. Another factor worth thinking about when selecting your child’s nursery is whether or not the school provides meals.