MAKKAH, 30 September 2007 — Saeed Al-Ghamdi, director of the Social Development Office in Makkah, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Social Affairs, said a number of daycare centers would shortly be opened in Makkah. The centers that mainly aim at helping working mothers will also benefit women who want to pray at the Grand Mosque, attend functions or go shopping, Al-Ghamdi said.
Licenses to run the centers will be issued to Saudi women who can open the centers adhering to the regulations governing building space, location and safety measures, he said. The facility should also have sufficient number of toys and safe and comfortable furniture.
The workers at the centers should be qualified to work with young children and infants. The center should have arrangements to give first aid service to children in cases of emergency and the fees should be affordable.
Several women have already approached the ministry’s office requesting for licenses, the official said.
