How to open a nursery in Kuwait: conditions, steps and costs

To open a private nursery in Kuwait you need a licence from the Ministry of Social Affairs. Press reports of the rules say an individual applicant must be Kuwaiti, hold a diploma or degree and not be employed, with a suitable site, neighbour approval and a KD 5,000 guarantee. The licence runs five years.

We could not find the resolution's text or an official ministry page listing the documents. Everything below comes from press reports of Ministerial Resolution 139/2022, the executive regulations of Law 22/2014. Use it to plan, then confirm each point with the ministry before you sign a lease.

Who licenses nurseries in Kuwait?

The Ministry of Social Affairs. Times Kuwait reported in July 2025 that Cabinet confirmed the ministry keeps sole authority, that Art. 2 of the law requires a licence, and that Arts. 9 and 10 allow suspension or revocation. The Ministry of Education's role is limited to coordinating action on private schools running pre-KG classes without approval. Inspections are joint: Social Affairs, Education, Health, the Municipality and the Fire Force.

You may come across older stories about nurseries moving to Education. That file has been opened more than once. The July 2025 report is the latest we found.

Who can apply for a nursery licence?

According to Times Kuwait's report of the resolution:

• Individuals (Art. 12): Kuwaiti, with a diploma or university degree, and not employed by a government or private entity.
• Entities (Art. 3): public and private institutions, companies, public benefit associations, or a business whose work or staff need a nursery.
• How many licences (Art. 4): one per licensee, with branches allowed under the same name.
• Transfers (Art. 8): not allowed without the ministry's written approval.

What does the building need?

This is where a project can stall, because the lease often gets signed before the site is checked. Kuwait Times lists these conditions:

• No more than three nurseries in a block, one of them serving disabled children.
• A service-oriented location with parking suited to your capacity.
• The whole building used as a nursery only, with no residence or other use.
• Written neighbour approval signed by the area mayor. Renewals do not need it unless ownership of the residence changes.

The licence itself states the nursery's name, address, number of children, any disability type, and staff numbers and duties, so decide these early.

What are the steps, in order?

We assembled this order from press reports. It is not an official checklist.

1. Check you qualify under Art. 12 or Art. 3.
2. Pick a location within the block limit and get neighbour approval.
3. Apply to the competent ministry department.
4. A committee studies the file, then a decision follows.
5. Lodge the guarantee.
6. Receive the licence, valid for five years (Art. 16).

Sources differ on timing. August 2022 reports gave 10 days for the committee and 30 for approval. A September 2022 report gave one month for the committee and two months in total. Budget your rent on the longer figure. Renewal notice is also reported as either three or four months, so start at four.

How much does a nursery licence cost?

Two separate amounts get mixed up:

• The guarantee: a KD 5,000 deposit held for the licence term to secure compliance. We found nothing on whether it is refunded, so ask in writing.
• The licence fee: KD 2,000 over five years. A proposal to raise it to KD 5,000 was under review as of May 2025. We do not know whether it took effect.

What should be ready before you open?

• Leadership: Art. 22 requires the director, supervisor, assistant supervisor and secretary to be women. The director needs an education degree, or a diploma with at least five years' experience.
• Health: a December 2025 decision covers staff medical exams, isolation rooms, food preparation and more. We could not find the full text, so ask for it.
• Cameras: in October 2026 the ministry reminded nurseries that all must install them under an official circular. Ask how long recordings must be kept.
• Staffing: the Public Authority for Manpower evaluates staff numbers and job titles, with staged enforcement up to revocation.
• Fees: Art. 30 is reported to cap fees at KD 1,800 per child per academic year and KD 200 a month. Build your feasibility numbers on that.
• Ages: the Art. 23 stages start at 30 days and run until kindergarten age.

Once you reach day-to-day running, Bambini handles attendance, daily reports, parent messages and fee collection, Arabic first.

Last checked 4 November 2026; rules change, so confirm with the regulator. This is general information, not legal advice.