Early childhood education conferences in 2027: the Middle East & GCC calendar

The main early childhood education conferences in the Middle East and GCC for 2027 are SOAR 2027 in Jeddah (Saturday, April 17, 2027), the Sharjah Education Summit (March 2027), an EYFS conference in Dubai (May 2027) and GESS Saudi Arabia. Here is how they compare and how to choose.

The 2027 calendar at a glance

Gulf-hosted early years professional development has grown fast. These are the events early childhood teachers and leaders in Saudi Arabia and the GCC are planning around for 2027. Dates for events other than SOAR come from public listings — always confirm with the organiser before booking travel.

  • March 2027 — Sharjah Education Summit, Sharjah, UAE: a broad K-12 education summit with early years content.
  • Saturday, April 17, 2027 — SOAR 2027, AISJ, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: a dedicated early childhood (ages 0–8) conference held in working early years classrooms.
  • May 2027 — EYFS Conference, Dubai, UAE: focused on the British Early Years Foundation Stage framework.
  • GESS Saudi Arabia — an education exhibition and conference with a large supplier and technology focus.

Why SOAR 2027 is different

SOAR is the only Gulf conference on this list built entirely around early childhood education and held inside real early years classrooms. Sessions are led by practising teachers and leaders from schools across Saudi Arabia and the region, across three strands: developmentally appropriate practice, innovation in ECE, and early childhood leadership.

Because it runs on a single Saturday in Jeddah, most educators in Saudi Arabia can attend without missing teaching days or booking a hotel.

How to choose the right 2027 conference

Match the event to your role and your framework. Teachers usually get most from hands-on workshops in their own age band; leaders benefit from sessions on staffing, curriculum and quality frameworks.

  • Is the programme specific to early years, or general K-12?
  • Are sessions practitioner-led, with named schools?
  • Does it fit your curriculum (play-based, IB PYP, EYFS, Montessori, Reggio-inspired)?
  • What is the total cost including travel, hotel and substitute cover?
  • Do you receive a certificate of attendance for PD hours?

Budgeting for a team

For schools in Saudi Arabia, a local one-day event is usually the cheapest way to send a whole early years team. SOAR 2027 offers a group rate of SAR 330 per person for 5 or more, and an Early Bird rate of SAR 230 until February 28, 2027.

SOAR 2027 is AISJ's early childhood education conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — 600+ educators, 40+ practitioner-led sessions, on Saturday, April 17, 2027. Early Bird tickets are SAR 230 until February 28, 2027.

مؤتمر سوار 2027 للتعليم في الطفولة المبكرة

يُعقد مؤتمر سوار 2027 يوم السبت 17 أبريل 2027 في المدرسة الأمريكية العالمية بجدة، المملكة العربية السعودية، لمعلمي وقادة التعليم المبكر.