JEDDAH, 27 February 2008 — Sarah Awaad Al-Harbi came to the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Jeddah yesterday with an abundance of documents. She has been trying for over a year to open a private daycare center.
“I know families have been suffering a lot from not being able to leave their children in a safe place,” she said. “That is why I thought of this project to help those families who do not want to depend on a housemaid or a nanny, and to help my country’s women who have the skills to work — and help these children learn something useful.”
Indeed, as the number of professional women increases in Saudi Arabia, the country is confronting an issue that arises in societies where both parents work: What to do with the children.
Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Social Affairs, told Arab News yesterday that the ministry is now accepting applications for private daycare centers.
Ali Al-Hinaki, general director at the ministry’s district office for the Makkah Region, said his administration is ready to welcome any requests to open such centers provided they are established in accordance with proper procedures. The ministry’s Women’s Supervision Administration has been assigned the task of ensuring these centers run smoothly and legally.
Darene Feteih, a specialist in working with autistic children at Jeddah’s International Medical Center, said more daycare centers would make life easier for many moms and would offer opportunities for child specialists.
“These centers will serve both mothers who work for long hours and can’t be around their children, and for women who are specialists in the field of dealing with children to practice what they have learned,” she said, adding that up till now opening a daycare center has been a difficult task. “I wanted to open a center but it was hard and the procedures were complicated, but now it enthused me and I am sure my colleagues who were willing to open would do so soon.”
Some of the requirements established recently include minimum and maximum ages (one month to six years old) for the centers dealing with the youngest children, which must also have fixed hours of operation (6 a.m. to 11 p.m.). For older children: boy and girls might be allowed to mix depending on the circumstances until the age of nine. The ministry must also authorize the location of these centers.
The General Administration for Social Affairs office closest to the location of the daycare center must also authorize the plan. “The daycare (center) must run continuously for one shift,” said Awad Al-Radadi, deputy minister for social care and development. “And it must include security guards. The building should have at least 10 rooms with a suitable hall and yard. ... The fees should be affordable.”
People who have experience in early childhood development, social work or sociology are also required. The proposed center must also have administration workers. General employees at these centers must have at least a high school education and special emphasis must be given to Saudis.
Al-Radadi said that daycare centers are expected to confirm identities of children and their relationships to the people who bring them, as well as requiring all children to have health checkups before being admitted.
