Setting up
Opening a private nursery in Morocco: the steps and the file
A private nursery can only open with prior authorization from the ministry in charge of youth. Here is the legal framework and the list of documents required, based on the ministry’s official document.
Updated
The legal framework
- Law no. 40-04 on the status of private nurseries, enacted by dahir no. 1-08-77 of 20 October 2008
- Decree no. 2-08-678 of 21 May 2009, implementing it
- Opening, running, and any extension or change require prior authorization
- The authorization sets the maximum number of children
A draft decree (no. 2-24-874) plans to move authorization requests to an online platform. Check the current procedure with the ministry’s regional office.
The administrative file
It covers the founder, the premises, the director, the educators and the rest of the staff.
- Founder, individual: authorization request, criminal record under 3 months old, certified copy of the national ID card, name clearance certificate, 3 stamped envelopes, 2 photos
- Founder, company: certified articles of association, filing receipt from the court registry, minutes of the founding meeting and of the manager’s appointment, trade register extract, name clearance certificate
- Premises: plan approved by local authorities (ground-floor building), certificate of compliance and hygiene, title deed or lease, insurance for the children, list of rooms, their capacity and the playground
- Director: CV, bachelor’s degree with at least one year of experience (or DEUG with two years) in education, health, administration or finance, employment contract, sworn statement, criminal record, medical file
- Educators: CV, baccalaureate or educator diploma with at least one year of experience, employment contract, criminal record, medical file
- Other staff: ID card, criminal record, medical certificate under 3 months old
The educational file
The house rules, the educational approach, the daily activity programme and meal times, all with a legalized signature.
The health file
- Contract with a doctor, paediatrician or GP
- List of the sanitary facilities available to the children
- List of medicines in the nursery’s first-aid cabinet, signed by the doctor
After the authorization: get organized from day one
House rules, children’s files, the people authorized to pick them up and fee tracking all start on opening day. Setting them up in software right away saves months of catching up on paperwork later.
Frequently asked questions
Which ministry issues the authorization?
The ministry in charge of youth, through its regional or provincial office.
Does law 40-04 apply to every nursery?
No. It doesn’t cover workplace nurseries set up for employees, nor those run by municipalities or non-profit social bodies.
Can the premises be upstairs?
The ministry’s document requires the building to be on the ground floor.