As women are increasingly joining the work force, the need is being felt for a daycare center to take care of their children. It's must be seen as a priority for the growing number of women, working in both the public and private sector, experts feel.

Many working women stress that the centers would boost their productivity if they are children are provided safety and security. They welcomed statements by Labor Ministry officials who have admitted that this daycare centers are necessary in order to support working women.

Muna Al-Shehri, a teacher, says working women want to make sure that children stay in a healthy and safe environment.

“Sectors employing women, such as schools and hospitals, should open nurseries,” she said, adding that those working in the daycare centers must be well-trained and paid good salaries so that they take proper care of the children.

Economist Abdullah Al-Maghlouth said the daycare sector in the Kingdom is random and unstructured.

“There should be a department that controls the nurseries, issues the licenses and supervises them in all educational, health and environmental aspects,” he said. “Investment in this area will undoubtedly have good economic returns and provide job opportunities as it is no less important than proper management of kindergartens and schools.”

Businesswoman Nawal Al-Kulsumi, director of a kindergarten, said there were serious problems facing people investing in this field. One big problem is the unwillingness of young Saudi women to work in daycare centers.

“Such projects also find difficulties in recruiting expats and giving them a work visa,” she said. She suggested a joint effort between the Ministries of Education, Labor and Social Affairs and chambers of commerce and the Ministry of Commerce to support such investments.

Fouzia Al-Hathlan, managing director of a group of kindergartens in Asir, confirmed that there was a significant shortage in the number of nurseries in the area and many were of low quality. She stressed the need to have properly-equipped daycare centers and nurseries inside the women’s working facilities.

According to her, the Social Affairs Ministry in Asir was currently counting the number of nurseries in the region to regulate their work and supervise it.

Aida Al-Ghamdi, kindergarten supervisor and public education trainer at the Directorate for Education and Supervision in Asir, said that workplace nurseries and daycare are an urgent necessity. She added that they needed a solid administration infrastructure within the women’s departments.

Ali Al-Shoubi, a human rights expert, said that safety and security were basic human rights and this meant that a person should feel that his family is safe so that he or she would be able to be productive at work.