Riyadh · 20 June 2026

Early Years Leaders ForumRiyadh 2026

Name: Early Years Leaders Forum Riyadh 2026
Start: 2026-06-20T08:30:00+03:00
End: 2026-06-20T12:30:00+03:00
Location: Joudyan Olaya Riyadh By Elaf

A half-day forum bringing together nursery owners, operators, investors, employers, and education leaders to explore the opportunities, challenges, and future of early childhood provision in Saudi Arabia.

Date: 20 June 2026
Venue: Joudyan Olaya Riyadh By Elaf
Format: Morning Half-Day
Ticket: USD 250 (SAR 938)

Selected leaders and partner organizations may receive invitation codes through Arabian Child, GCA, or event partners.

Hosted in collaboration with

Why this forum, why now

Saudi Arabia’s early childhood sector is evolving rapidly.

New opportunities, changing family expectations, workforce participation goals, quality standards, technology, and curriculum innovation are reshaping how early childhood services are planned, operated, and delivered.

Early Years Leaders Forum brings together those responsible for making decisions, managing growth, improving quality, and building the future of early childhood provision across the Kingdom.

Sustainable growth and expansion models
Operational readiness and quality systems
Workforce capability and leadership pipeline
Curriculum differentiation in a competitive market
Workplace childcare and partnership models
Parent and regulator expectations

From the previous forum

A look back at the Early Years Leadership Forum.

Highlights, sessions, and conversations from our previous edition — the strategic tone, the calibre of attendees, and the kind of practical, leader-led discussion you can expect in Riyadh 2026.

Watch on YouTube

Opening Plenary

Language · Arabic

مستقبل قطاع الطفولة المبكرة في المملكة العربية السعودية

09:15 – 09:45

The Future of Early Childhood Provision in Saudi Arabia

A strategic opening session exploring the changing early childhood landscape, leadership priorities, quality expectations, workplace nursery momentum, and the operating models needed for the next phase of growth.

Choose Your Track

Three concurrent workshop tracks.
Select one during registration.

After the opening plenary, attendees will join one of three concurrent workshop tracks.

Track 01English

Why Some Schools Grow and Others Don't

The ACE School Improvement Model™

Design. Practice. Environment.

The strongest early childhood centers do not improve by chance. They improve through intentional systems, strong leadership, and a clear approach to quality. Explore the ACE School Improvement Model™ and discover how leading organizations strengthen teaching quality, workforce capability, learning environments, and long-term sustainability.

Audience

Owners, directors, operators, quality managers, academic leaders, and organizations focused on continuous improvement.

Key discussion areas

Workforce Development & Professional Qualification
Classroom Practice Modelling & Coaching
Model Learning Environment Design
Accreditation Readiness & Quality Assurance
Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Track 02Arabic

Increase Enrollments Through Better Systems

Understanding the Modern Nursery Sales Process

Presented by Illumine

Most nurseries focus on enrollment numbers. The highest-performing nurseries focus on the systems behind those numbers. This workshop explores how leading centers manage inquiries, follow-ups, parent communication, admissions, and conversion processes to increase enrollment and improve operational performance.

Audience

Owners, directors, admissions teams, operations managers, and center leaders responsible for growth.

Key discussion areas

Understanding the Parent Enrollment Journey
Managing Leads & Follow-Ups
Building an Effective Admissions Pipeline
Using Data to Improve Conversion
Technology That Supports Sustainable Growth

Track 03Arabic

Choosing the Right Curriculum for Your Center

How Curriculum Decisions Shape Children's Engagement and Outcomes

Not all curricula are created equal. This workshop explores the key questions leaders should ask when selecting curriculum frameworks, assessment approaches, and learning tools for children from birth to age five.

Audience

Owners, principals, curriculum leaders, academic coordinators, and center groups evaluating curriculum options.

Key discussion areas

What Makes a High-Quality Early Childhood Curriculum
Supporting Engagement from Birth to Five
Curriculum, Assessment & Documentation
Choosing Resources and Learning Tools
Creating Consistency Across Classrooms

Select your preferred workshop during registration.

Who Should Attend

Built for the leaders shaping early childhood across the GCC.

01Nursery owners & operators

02Investors & founders

03Employers exploring workplace childcare

04School groups & education companies

05Nursery directors & principals

06Academic & curriculum leaders

07Admissions & operations teams

08Foundations & strategic stakeholders

More Than A Forum

Join a growing network of people who care about the future of early childhood.

Every year, EYLF brings together nursery owners, operators, educators, investors, curriculum specialists, and emerging leaders from across the region.

Some attend to learn. Some attend to reconnect. Some attend to explore new opportunities. Most attend for all three.

The forum is designed to create meaningful conversations, lasting professional relationships, and new perspectives on where early childhood is heading across Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

Learn Something New

Even experienced leaders leave with fresh ideas, new perspectives, and practical approaches they can take back to their teams.

Meet The Right People

Connect with nursery owners, operators, educators, investors, employers, and decision-makers from across the sector.

Be Part Of The Community

Join a growing network that extends beyond the event itself through future forums, partnerships, collaborations, and ongoing conversations.

All attendees receive an official certificate of attendance issued by Arabian Child and Global Childhood Academy.

Your Certificate

A credentialed certificate, issued by Arabian Child and Global Childhood Academy.

Every attendee receives an official certificate of attendance carrying the EYLF Riyadh 2026 identity and the seals of both host organizations — recognition you can share with your board, your team, and your regulator.

Sample Early Years Leadership Forum certificate of attendance issued by Arabian Child and Global Childhood Academy

Sample preview · final certificate artwork applies on the day

Event Agenda

A focused morning, designed for leaders.

Saturday, 20 June 2026 · Joudyan Olaya Riyadh By Elaf

08:30 – 09:00
Registration, coffee & networking
09:00 – 09:15
Welcome remarks
Bilingual
09:15 – 09:45
Opening plenary
The Future of Early Childhood Provision in Saudi Arabia
Arabic
09:45 – 10:00
Track transition
10:00 – 12:00
Concurrent workshop tracks
Track 01 (English) · Track 02 (Arabic) · Track 03 (Arabic)
12:00 – 12:30
Certificates, networking & consultations
12:30
Close

Speakers & Hosts

Practitioners, operators, founders, and sector leaders shaping early childhood in the region.

Names and titles will be finalized closer to the event. Additional speakers to be announced.

Dr. Samia Kazi

Title to be confirmed

Arabian Child

Dr. Kathryn Peckham

Title to be confirmed

Global Childhood Academy

Michelle Bugby

Title to be confirmed

Global Childhood Academy

Areej Altuwaijri

Title to be confirmed

Arabian Child

Dr. Ejalal Jalal

Title to be confirmed

Arabian Child

Rafah

Title to be confirmed

Arabian Child