National Consultant to Review and Amendment of Cabinet Resolution No. (11) of 2011 with Focus on Licensing and Regulating Home-Based Nurseries, East Jerusalem, SOP

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Future

UNICEF in the State of Palestine (SoP) works to uphold the rights of children to access services and protection, from early childhood through to adolescence. Our objective is to ensure that every child in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, irrespective of background or circumstance, has an equal chance to fulfil their potential.

In the past years, UNICEF in the State of Palestine has achieved a high reach and engagement through its communication channels. UNICEF-SoP would like to build on this and continue engaging with our audience, who are not only seek information but are willing to have important conversations on crucial issues concerning children’s wellbeing and rights. 

How can you make a difference? 

The overall purpose is to strengthen the legal and operational framework for early childhood care and protection in Palestine by amending the Cabinet Resolution and introducing a clear regulatory mechanism for home-based nurseries.

The purpose of this consultancy is to support MoSD in reviewing and updating Cabinet Resolution No. (11) of 2011 to:

• Critically review the existing regulation in light of MoSD’s new policy framework, Palestinian Child Rights Law, and international child protection standards.
• Introduce a dedicated section regulating home-based nurseries, including licensing, oversight, staffing, and operational mechanisms.
• Develop an inclusive, costed implementation plan addressing structural, financial, and operational dimensions.
• Provide actionable recommendations to establish a specialized unit within MoSD’s Nurseries Department to license and monitor home-based nurseries.
• Design coordination mechanisms with relevant ministries and governorate directorates for consistent implementation.
• Draft licensing procedures, inspection protocols, application forms, and monitoring tools.
• Recommend a training and capacity-building plan for MoSD staff to operationalize the regulation.
• Ensure the revised regulation is inclusive and child-protection-centered, improving coordination across sectors and actors.

In alignment with UNICEF standards, the consultant must ensure all recommendations reflect a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), with emphasis on child protection, equity, and accountability.

Scope of Work:

The consultant(s) will lead the technical and legislative review in close collaboration with a steering committee formed at the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), including all relevant stakeholders and advisory bodies. They will review and recommend updates to the current regulatory framework, with a specific focus on integrating provisions for home-based nurseries. Additionally, the consultant(s) will develop a comprehensive implementation plan and provide practical recommendations to strengthen coordination for effective and sustainable implementation. 

Key Responsibilities: for more details  Terms of Reference (Template) 19062025.docx

3.1 Review of the Current Regulation 

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of Nurseries Regulation No. 11 of 2011.
• Identify gaps and areas for improvement, particularly regarding protection mechanisms, inspection roles, and oversight—especially related to home-based nurseries.
• Benchmark the current regulation against relevant regional and international best practices, considering the Palestinian context.
• Review related laws, regulations, and policies impacting nurseries (e.g., child rights laws, early childhood education policies).
• Analyze the regulation from a child protection lens, including:
• Risks of abuse within nursery environments.
• Adequacy of reporting mechanisms for child abuse or neglect.
• Appropriateness of caregiver-to-child ratios, staff training, safety measures, and supervision standards.
• Effectiveness in preventing harm and ensuring safe and nurturing environments.

3.2 Add a Section Dedicated to Home-Based Nurseries

• Develop a regulatory section specific to home-based nurseries, aligned with national standards and international benchmarks.
• Define clear mechanisms for licensing, monitoring, an