The National Academy for Childhood Development (NACD) has opened registration for its Accredited Vocational Diploma in Childhood Development, with applications accepted until 10 May 2025.
Accredited by the National Qualifications Centre, the diploma programme continues to attract strong interest for the third consecutive year. Over the past two years, the academy has received more than 13,000 applications, with only 200 candidates admitted through a rigorous selection process that includes interviews and assessments, resulting in a highly competitive acceptance rate of 1.5 per cent.
The programme has witnessed increasing interest from Emirati youth, with more than 70 UAE Nationals enrolled to date. This trend reflects the growing recognition of childhood development as a vital and promising career path that contributes to national development goals.
The 18-month diploma is designed to equip a new generation of qualified caregivers with practical skills and educational knowledge to support children from birth to 18 years old. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on national identity and the Arabic language and is delivered in two phases.
The first phase offers 12 months of theoretical and practical learning at the academy, structured around four core learning themes: I Grow, focusing on children’s physical, psychological, and social development; I Learn, supporting early learning and enhancing children’s learning capabilities; I Can, which aims to build social and life skills in children; and Hence, I’m Proud, which instills national identity, Arabic language proficiency, and Emirati culture and values.
The second phase consists of a six-month internship at leading partner institutions, including the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (ZHO), the Family Care Authority (FCA), and others. This internship enables students to apply their knowledge in real-world professional settings.
The program is delivered entirely in Arabic, reinforcing the pivotal role of the Arabic language in the childhood development sector, while aligning with the highest international educational standards.
All accepted students receive a full scholarship and a monthly allowance, enabling them to fully dedicate themselves to their academic and professional development.
Registration for the Academy’s third cohort is now open through the Academy’s official website and the NAPO centralised digital platform. This follows the successful graduation of 80 students, many of whom are set to join leading institutions across the UAE.
For more information and to apply, please visit: https://nacd.ac.ae
