RIYADH — The number of licensed childcare centers in 13 regions across Saudi Arabia reached 1,900, serving more than 60,000 children by the year 2025. This growth reflects the increasing demand for these essential services and underscores their vital role in early childhood development. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development continues to oversee and guide these childcare centers to ensure the delivery of comprehensive care services in accordance with the highest standards of safety and quality. The services are structured across five primary categories: independent centers, which admit children from birth to 10 years of age and operate from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; workplace centers, established within corporate entities to serve employees’ children in alignment with company working hours; mobile centers, utilizing specially equipped trailers for children aged 1 to 10 years and operating during morning hours; home-based centers, located in private residences and accommodating children from birth to 6 years old; and centers for pilgrims, situated in Makkah and Madinah, operating around the clock to serve Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The ministry’s efforts in this sector are designed to support families and empower parents to balance their professional and family responsibilities, as part of its ongoing commitment to fostering a safe and stimulating environment that promotes optimal child development. Operating under the ministry’s supervision, these centers provide integrated care and developmental programs aimed at refining children’s cognitive and intellectual abilities, such as thinking, comprehension, memory, and imagination, while enhancing social interaction skills, strengthening communication and emotional expression, and offering a secure environment for children during their parents’ absence. With regard to licensing procedures, the ministry has enabled electronic applications without the need to visit its branches, under streamlined conditions. Notable among these requirements is that the applicant must be a Saudi investor aged at least 18 years and must not have had a licensed center closed due to a violation within the preceding three years. The ministry seeks to empower investors through a range of incentives, including expedited electronic licensing, financial support through the Human Resources Development Fund, advisory and guidance services, and specialized training workshops aimed at enhancing operational efficiency. The development of this sector remains a strategic priority for the ministry, pursued through the continuous updating of legislation and the strengthening of oversight mechanisms to ensure a safe environment that contributes to nurturing future generations and improving the overall quality of life for society.