Regulatory Rules for Private Childcare Centres

Purpose and scope

• Regulates the licensing, operation and supervision of private childcare centres and contracts with operators, replacing the earlier rules (Article 32).
• Types: stand-alone centres in a dedicated building and home-based centres, both open 6 am to 10 pm unless licensed for 24 hours, and workplace centres open during the employer's hours (Article 2).

Key rules, rights and obligations

• An individual applicant needs a valid commercial registration and municipal and civil defence licences (Article 5).
• Anyone whose centre was closed for violations may be licensed only after 3 years from closure or rehabilitation (Article 5).
• A centre may not open, operate or advertise before licensing and meeting the requirements (Article 7).
• A licence lasts 5 years and is renewable; each branch needs its own licence (Articles 8 and 9).
• The director and the childcare supervisor must be Saudi and full-time; the supervisor needs first-aid certification and childcare experience or training (Article 12).
• After licensing, the owner may contract with an operator under the set rules (Article 18).

Violations, penalties and common problems

• On a violation: a first warning with up to 30 days to correct, then a final warning with up to 15 days, then suspension for up to a year or withdrawal of the licence (Article 24).
• The centre bears direct liability for any harm to a client caused by its negligence or by suspension of its activity (Article 27).
• Common mistakes: advertising before the licence is issued and applying late for renewal.

Procedures and key deadlines

• Renewal must be requested six months before the licence expires (Article 8).
• A centre or branch may not move without a prior request to the ministry (Article 29); a request to suspend or extend operations is filed 10 days in advance (Article 30).
• A penalty decision may be challenged before the administrative courts within 60 days of notification (Article 25).

An advisory summary prepared by Al-Bayan Al-Wadih Law Firm. It is not an official text and does not replace the law, its implementing regulations, or advice from a specialised lawyer. The official published text and its amendments prevail.