Major amendments to Bahrain’s Child Law aimed at tightening oversight of nurseries were unanimously approved by Parliament yesterday.
The amendments, prepared by the government, introduce clearer licensing requirements and stricter enforcement measures for nurseries, reflecting growing concern over safety, quality and accountability in the sector.
At the core of the changes is a more precise definition of criminal violations. The revised provisions explicitly criminalise the establishment of a nursery without a licence, as well as the management of a nursery or any change to its location or specifications without prior approval from the Education Ministry.
Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman MP Ahmed Al Salloom said the amendments represent a significant step forward in protecting children during their most formative years.
“This law is not about restricting business or burdening operators,” Mr Al Salloom said. “It is about protecting the child first and foremost, raising service quality and ensuring that early education in Bahrain is built on safe, regulated and professional foundations.”
He stressed that nurseries are not merely care facilities but an essential stage in shaping a child’s behaviour, skills and confidence.
“Early childhood education is an investment in our national future,” he added. “When we regulate it properly, we are building stronger generations.”
Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma earlier informed Parliament that 110 licensed nurseries were operating in Bahrain during the 2025-2026 academic year, all of which will fall under the updated regulatory framework.
To ease the transition, legislators approved the addition of a new article granting existing nurseries a six-month grace period from the date the law comes into force to adjust their legal status and meet the new requirements.
Services committee vice-chairman MP Abdulwahid Qarata said the grace period strikes a balance between enforcement and practicality.
“It gives institutions sufficient time to regularise their situation, while making it clear that compliance is mandatory,” he said.
“The objective is not punishment, but quality, safety and consistency in services provided to children across the kingdom.”
He added that stronger regulation would also reduce risks to children and prevent unsafe or substandard facilities from operating unchecked.
The amendments also modernise legal terminology throughout the Child Law, replacing outdated language with terms aligned to international standards and Bahrain’s national policies on disability rights.
Committee rapporteur MP Jalila Al Sayed noted that unifying regulatory and penal provisions with the Private Educational Institutions Law would also prevent legal contradictions and strengthen enforcement.
The legislation has now been referred to the Shura Council for review.
&uuid=(email))