How Riyadh’s Early Education System Supports Globally Mobile Families

Aamynah Nagji and Leticia G. de la Rasilla, both highly regarded education consultants and school placement specialists, discuss the growing demand for early childhood education in Riyadh.

Globally mobile families are increasingly seeking educational opportunities for their children at a much younger age than in the past. Today, it’s not uncommon for parents to look for structured learning environments for their toddlers as early as 18 months to two years old—long before the traditional preschool years of three, four, or five. This shift reflects a growing recognition of the benefits of early childhood education and a desire for seamless transitions between international schooling systems.

In Riyadh, this trend is very much in place. Schools in the city typically begin formal education at age three, aligning closely with international curriculum standards. This structured approach ensures that children can transition smoothly between countries, an essential factor for expatriate and local families alike.

Beyond traditional schools, Riyadh is home to a wide variety of nurseries that cater to younger children. Many families, particularly expatriates, tend to stay within their residential compounds, where nurseries are often single-owner establishments or part of small networks with multiple branches. These nurseries not only provide early learning experiences but also offer KG1 and KG2 programs, further extending educational opportunities for young children.

However, the demand for quality early childhood education is high, and waitlists for reputable nurseries are common. As families continue to prioritize early learning, the availability and expansion of these services will likely remain a key consideration for parents navigating education choices in Riyadh.

Based in Dubai, Aamynah Nagji is a veteran independent education consultant, specializing in supporting families relocating to the Middle East, and also serves as a Global Team Lead (GTL).

Aamynah holds a B.A. in Economics and Statistics from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, India, and received her certification as a Chartered Financial Analyst from AIMR, USA. She is also a Certified Leader and Life Coach who speaks fluent Hindi and Urdu.

Leticia hardly needs any introduction—Bennett's Client Services representative and a Global Team Lead, overseeing and supporting Bennett’s Europe-based consultants. She also plans education outreach for our corporate and RMC clients, leading webinar discussions on relevant education topics and providing updates on high-demand locations, nonpareil.

Over the years, Bennett International Education Consultancyhas worked with hundreds of corporations across the globe, many of them Fortune 500 companies, providing domestic and international school advisement & placement services - preschool through university - to the dependents of relocating employees. In addition to education placement, our team provides customized consulting for corporations with a range of education issues: education policy writing & benchmarking, tuition studies, group move advisement & planning, and remote education solutions.