Review on nursery fees in Kuwait

In an interview with the newspaper, Al- Ajmi pointed out that this number confirms the expansion of early childhood services in the country and puts more responsibilities on the shoulders of the ministry to continue its monitoring and development efforts in order to ensure that the best quality of services are provided to the children. He explained that the ministry does not simply grant licenses, as it considers this step the beginning of the ongoing monitoring phase that includes inspection, follow up and evaluation to ensure compliance with the regulations. He disclosed that the ministry received 64 applications for new nursery licenses this year, stressing that all these applications are subject to legal and technical measures, according to the unified and transparent standards.

He affirmed that the ministry encourages serious investment in the early childhood sector, while prioritizing the improvement of services and guaranteeing the safety of children. He confirmed that 50 applications to establish nurseries were rejected for failure to meet the conditions stipulated in the relevant law and its executive regulations. He pointed out that leniency during the licensing process could negatively affect the services or the safety of the children in the future. He clarified that the rejection decisions are based on reasons related to non-compliance with regulatory, technical or administrative requirements. He said applicants are notified about the comments, so they can complete the requirements and reapply once they meet the conditions. He stressed that oversight of private nurseries is one of the most important responsibilities of the ministry, as it is directly linked to child protection -- a responsibility that leaves no room for negligence or favoritism.

He stated that the inspection and follow up operations revealed that the most common violations are non-compliance with the specified age groups and those related to tuition fees. He added that the ministry exercises its oversight role through the Private Nurseries Oversight Department, which is implemented by the Inspection Section through continuous field monitoring. He indicated that inspections are not limited to scheduled or periodic visits, as they include surprise inspections. He stated that the inspection teams ensure compliance with the specified age groups, safety and security regulations, and regulatory and administrative rules, in addition to monitoring violations that may require legal action. He said the ministry believes that oversight is not just a means for addressing violations, but a tool for performance improvement, so the inspection teams are committed to guiding nurseries toward the best practices. He cited statistics revealing that 10 nurseries were proven to have committed violations, in addition to 20 nurseries identified previously.

He confirmed that these nurseries have rectified their status, but the violations remain. He said the ministry takes disciplinary action gradually, depending on the nature and impact of the violation, starting with monitoring, guidance and warnings, if necessary, followed by more stringent measures. He added that over the past three years, temporary closure orders were issued to two nurseries as per the executive regulations. He revealed that most of the violations are administrative and regulatory in nature, and are dealt with according to the procedures outlined in the executive regulations. He pointed out that violations affecting children’s safety are few, reflecting the high level of awareness and commitment among a large segment of licensed nurseries.

He emphasized that the ministry takes any violation that affects a child’s safety or security very seriously. He added the ministry believes that “prevention is better than cure”, so all oversight procedures aim to prevent violations. He stressed that the main objective is not to impose penalties, but to ensure a safe and stable environment for children. He revealed that upon receiving a complaint, the ministry takes the necessary measures by contacting its Interior counterpart, specifically the Juvenile Protection Department, as it is the competent authority for handling such cases.