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. These new regulations aim to improve the quality of services provided. The Ministry requires all facilities to install advanced surveillance cameras and allocate specific spaces for each child. Existing centers have been given a 180-day grace period to comply with the new requirements.
The development of the childcare sector in the Kingdom
This step comes within a historical context marked by radical transformations in the structure of the Saudi labor market. In the past, childcare options were limited and often relied on informal family settings or school-attended nurseries. However, with the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, which has identified women's empowerment and increased participation in the workforce as one of its strategic objectives, a pressing need arose for the establishment of an institutional and regulated early childhood care sector. This historical development has prompted relevant authorities to continuously update regulations, with the new regulations replacing those issued in 1443 AH (2021/2022 CE), eliminating any previous inconsistencies and establishing a new era of reliability and security.
Modern classifications and flexible working hours
The ministry clarified that the new licenses will be valid for five years and renewable according to the specified requirements. The new regulations classify centers into three main types to meet the diverse needs of families: independent centers, home-based centers, and centers located within workplaces. Independent centers operate from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, while home-based centers continue to provide their services until 10:00 PM, with the possibility of operating 24 hours a day under a special license.
Safety and security requirements in childcare centers
To ensure the highest levels of safety, the regulations stipulate a minimum of two square meters per child in care areas. They also emphasize the importance of installing continuously operating internal and external surveillance cameras, with a storage capacity to preserve recordings for at least 30 days. Regarding staffing, the Ministry mandates that the center director and childcare supervisors be Saudi citizens, with a specific staffing ratio for each supervisor ranging from one supervisor for every five newborns to one supervisor for every 15 children aged six to ten years.
The positive impact of legislation on the family and society
From a social and humanitarian perspective, 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. The Ministry cautioned against implementing the Ministry of Education's school curriculum, emphasizing that activities should be limited to care, recreation, and skills development programs. The significant importance of these regulations lies in their direct impact on family stability. Locally, these guidelines provide working mothers with complete peace of mind, positively affecting their productivity and job security. Regionally, the Kingdom sets a leading example in protecting children's rights and providing safe and stimulating environments for growth, thus enhancing its standing in quality of life indicators.
Compliance mechanism and strict penalties
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. The Ministry revealed a firm mechanism for addressing violations, beginning with an initial warning giving the center a 30-day grace period to rectify the situation. 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 regulations also stipulate the right of violators to appeal penalty decisions before administrative courts within 60 days of being officially notified.
