Bear Hugs International Expands Its Presence in Saudi Arabia, Supporting the Saudi Vision 2030 Goals for Human Capital and National Capabilities.
Bear Hugs Preschool officially inaugurated its new branch in Jeddah’s Al-Shati district, adjacent to Red Sea Mall, on Wednesday August 19th, 2026, under the theme “IT ALL STARTS WITH A HUG.” The opening ceremony was attended by ambassadors, education experts, media professionals and social media influencers.
The event included a tour of the preschool’s facilities, during which guests were introduced to its educational environment and facilities, as well as presentations on its accredited educational curricula and programs for children. The ceremony concluded with the honoring of the attending guests.
The opening of the new Jeddah branch marks the beginning of a new phase of expansion for Bear Hugs in the Kingdom, building on more than 23 years of experience in early childhood education. Throughout its journey, the preschool has contributed to the childcare and education of more than 2,000 children, offering an educational model focused on developing children’s personalities, building self-confidence, nurturing curiosity and strengthening their ability to learn and communicate.
On this occasion, the Chairman of Futura Holding Mr. Ismail Anas Abudawood, said that the opening of the new Jeddah branch represents an important milestone in the preschool’s journey in the Kingdom, noting that the expansion comes at a time when the early childhood education sector is receiving growing attention as one of the key foundations for human development and capacity building.
He Added: “We are the largest regional operator and are investing heavily in the Saudi market expansion and are driven by our strong confidence in the growth prospects of the early childhood education sector in the Kingdom and our commitment to expanding our regional presence. We are investing to open 15 new nurseries in the coming period, further strengthening our position as already is one of the largest operators in kingdom with 7 operating or soon to be opened, as part of a regional network comprising 35 locations.”
“We believe that investing in early childhood is a direct investment in the future of the Kingdom. That is why we have been keen to establish Bear Hugs’ presence in Saudi Arabia on a clear vision that combines international expertise with an understanding of the needs of children and families within Saudi society. The Jeddah branch represents another step towards expanding this experience and providing an integrated educational and developmental environment for a greater number of children,” Abudawood stated.
He added: “Our approach is aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, as our purpose is to invest alongside the government in developing future generations geared for a leading country. We look forward to Bear Hugs contributing to this journey by providing an early learning experience that enables children to acquire knowledge while also developing their personalities, self-confidence, as well as their social and emotional skills.”
From her end, the Founder of Bear Hugs Preschool Denise Alaquil said: “For more than 23 years, Bear Hugs has been built on a firm belief that the early years of a child’s life represent a critical foundation for shaping their personality and their approach to learning and the world around them. From this perspective, we have been committed to developing an educational experience that places the child at the heart of the learning process, providing a safe and stimulating environment that encourages exploration, self-expression, asking questions and discovering their own abilities.”
Alaquil added: “We are delighted to be part of the ongoing development of the education sector in the Kingdom. The growing focus on educational quality and the development of early childhood education reflects an important awareness of the value of investing in people from their earliest years. We believe that the Kingdom’s advanced educational environment provides an important opportunity to bring our expertise to families and children in a way that meets their aspirations.”
She continued: “Our vision at Bear Hugs is for every child to feel safe, respected and cared for, and to have the confidence to be themselves and learn without fear of making mistakes. We strive to achieve a balance between academic development and social and emotional growth because we believe that meaningful learning begins when children feel safe and connected to those around them”.
Bear Hugs International follows an accredited American early childhood education curriculum based on hands-on learning, purposeful play and exploration, while taking into consideration children’s academic, social and emotional needs at different stages of their development. Its programs include creative and sensory activities, life skills and early communication skills, helping children develop curiosity, self-confidence and independence.
The preschool also provides a safe and stimulating educational environment supported by specialized staff and offers age-appropriate programs from nursery through kindergarten. Operating hours begin at 7:45 a.m. and continue until 1:30 p.m., with extended childcare facilities available until 5:00 p.m.
