Who licenses nurseries in Kuwait?
In Kuwait, private nurseries are licensed and inspected by the Ministry of Social Affairs under Law No. 22 of 2014. A nursery cares for children from 30 days old until kindergarten age, and running one without a licence is an offence. Check a nursery's licence before you enrol.
Checked October 2026 · Sources
Who licenses nurseries in Kuwait
Private nurseries in Kuwait are licensed by the Ministry of Social Affairs, under Law No. 22 of 2014 on private nurseries. The ministry's inspectors have the right to enter nurseries, inspect them and review their records, and its private nurseries oversight department follows up licensed nurseries with inspection visits. Kindergartens, the stage after nursery, are run by the Ministry of Education or by private schools.
"Stating the licence" counts the nurseries listed here that name the ministry as their licensing authority on their own website.
| Governorate | Regulator | Nurseries listed | Stating the licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawalli | Ministry of Social AffairsPrivate nurseries, Law No. 22 of 2014 | 127 | 0 |
| Mubarak Al Kabeer | Ministry of Social AffairsPrivate nurseries, Law No. 22 of 2014 | 65 | 0 |
| Kuwait City | Ministry of Social AffairsPrivate nurseries, Law No. 22 of 2014 | 64 | 0 |
| Farwaniya | Ministry of Social AffairsPrivate nurseries, Law No. 22 of 2014 | 62 | 0 |
| Ahmadi | Ministry of Social AffairsPrivate nurseries, Law No. 22 of 2014 | 49 | 0 |
| Jahra | Ministry of Social AffairsPrivate nurseries, Law No. 22 of 2014 | 28 | 0 |
What the law covers
Law No. 22 of 2014 defines a private nursery as a place set up to receive children under kindergarten age, and its executive regulations cover children from 30 days old. A nursery may not open, sign contracts or take children until it has a licence from the ministry. When the law was passed this was the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour.
- Inspections. Officials appointed by the minister can enter and inspect nurseries and check their records.
- Fines. Opening a nursery without a licence is punished with a fine of KD 1,000 to KD 5,000, doubled for repeat offences.
- Executive regulations. The detailed rules, issued in 2014 and amended in 2018 and 2022, set out licence applications, the services nurseries provide and the activities allowed.
How to check a nursery's licence
- Ask to see it. A licensed nursery can show you the licence issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs.
- Check the name matches. The name and address on the licence should match the nursery you're visiting, branch included.
- Read the contract first. Check the fees, the payment schedule and the refund terms before you pay a registration fee.
- On GulfNurseries, a nursery's page shows its licence when the nursery states it.
Questions parents ask
Who licenses nurseries in Kuwait?
Private nurseries in Kuwait are licensed by the Ministry of Social Affairs, under Law No. 22 of 2014 on private nurseries. The ministry's inspectors can enter nurseries, inspect them and review their records.
What age is a nursery for in Kuwait?
The law defines a private nursery as a place for children under kindergarten age, and its executive regulations cover children from 30 days old. Kindergarten is the next stage.
Is it illegal to run a nursery without a licence in Kuwait?
Yes. Opening a private nursery without a licence from the Ministry of Social Affairs is punished with a fine of KD 1,000 to KD 5,000, doubled for repeat offences.
How do I check that a nursery in Kuwait is licensed?
Ask to see its licence from the Ministry of Social Affairs and check that the name and address match the branch you're visiting.
Sources
Rules change: confirm them with the authority or the nursery, and tell us if something here is out of date.