Nurseries in Qatar: How Licensing Works and What to Check
How the Ministry of Education and Higher Education licenses nurseries in Qatar, the two main nursery types, and what to check before enrolling a child.
Choosing a nursery in Qatar means checking both the setting itself and its licensing, since MOEHE regulates nurseries much like it does private schools. This guide explains how that licensing works and what to check. We read MOEHE's reported regulatory updates and general reporting in September 2026, and we did not verify specific nursery brands or locations, so this guide focuses on the regulatory picture and what to ask, not a list of named nurseries.
How nursery licensing works
MOEHE's Department of Nurseries, within its Private Education Affairs Sector, is reported to be responsible for issuing nursery licenses, approving the nursery's director and staff, and inspecting facilities and activities. In July 2024, MOEHE is reported to have announced updated regulations covering the classification of nurseries, staff qualifications, and licensing fees, with a nursery license fee reported at QAR 1,000.
Two main nursery types
The updated regulations are reported to define two main categories.
- Day care nurseries, focused on childcare for working parents.
- Care and education nurseries, which combine childcare with foundational early learning in language, reading, writing, and math.
Staffing requirements
Reported requirements include that a nursery must be headed by a female director over the age of 21, and have a nutritionist, a nurse, and a resident or visiting physician on staff, alongside hygiene workers, guards, and drivers.
What to check before enrolling
- Ask the nursery directly for proof of its current MOEHE license and which category it is licensed under.
- Ask about staff-to-child ratios and daily routines, since these are not standardized across every nursery.
- Ask what is included in the fee, and what is billed separately, such as meals or extended hours.
- If you are also researching schools for older children, see our guide to international schools in Qatar.
What we could not verify
- Current licensing fees or requirements beyond what is reported above, since these are set and updated by MOEHE.
- Any specific nursery's current license status. Confirm directly with the nursery and MOEHE.
- Typical nursery fees, since these are set individually.
Frequently asked questions
Who licenses nurseries in Qatar?
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, through its Department of Nurseries within the Private Education Affairs Sector.
What types of nurseries exist in Qatar?
Reported regulations describe day care nurseries, focused on childcare, and care and education nurseries, which add early learning alongside childcare.
What staff must a licensed nursery have?
Reported requirements include a female director over 21, a nutritionist, a nurse, and a resident or visiting physician, alongside other staff.
How do I check a nursery's license?
Ask the nursery directly for proof of its current MOEHE license and confirm with the Ministry if you have doubts.
Sources & references
Agha Ali Abbas
Founder & Editor
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