Family Support Services at Applied Science University (Bahrain)

Applied Science University (ASU) in Bahrain recognizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance for its employees and students, and has implemented several family-friendly initiatives in support of gender equality. In particular, ASU provides on-campus childcare facilities and other support services that enable staff and faculty (as well as student parents) to manage their family responsibilities while pursuing their careers and studies [1]. These measures contribute to a more inclusive and supportive campus environment, aligning with ASU’s commitment to the well-being and productivity of its community [1].

On-Campus Childcare and Nursery Services

Applied Science University partnered with Kinder World Preschool Bahrain to offer an on-campus nursery for the university community, providing convenient childcare for staff, faculty, and students. ASU has collaborated with Kinder World Preschool (Bahrain) to establish a childcare facility that serves members of the university, including faculty, administrative staff, and enrolled students [1]. This service operates as a convenient daycare center located on or near the campus, allowing parents to leave their young children in a safe, supervised environment while they work or attend classes [2]. Notably, the childcare service is provided free of charge to the ASU community as part of the university’s work-life balance support – an initiative especially intended to help working parents (particularly mothers) continue their careers or education without interruption [2]. Parents simply need to reserve a spot through an application process, specifying the hours their child will be in care [2], after which they can carry out their university responsibilities with peace of mind.

The on-campus childcare center accepts infants and toddlers from 3 months up to 4 years old, with qualified preschool staff engaging the children in age-appropriate learning and play. The nursery welcomes children as young as 3 months old up to 4 years of age, accommodating infants and toddlers of both students and university employees [2]. Professional caregivers and teachers provide a structured, nurturing program – following an early childhood curriculum – so that children enjoy educational activities and proper care while their parents are on campus [2]. Student-parents and staff can thus focus on their classes or job duties knowing their children are nearby in a secure, high-quality childcare setting [2]. This initiative was established especially to support mothers who might otherwise struggle to find daytime care, thereby fostering a more inclusive, family-friendly atmosphere at the university [1]. ASU’s on-site nursery arrangement not only eases the burden on parents but also exemplifies the university’s dedication to creating a supportive campus for all members of its community.

Parental Leave and Support Policies

In addition to childcare services, ASU provides a range of parental leave benefits and family-friendly workplace policies for its faculty and staff [3]. These measures ensure that employees who are new parents receive both time off and flexibility to care for their children, consistent with national labor laws and best practices. Key policies include:

-Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 60 calendar days of maternity leave on full pay, with the option to extend their leave by an additional 15 days (two weeks) as unpaid leave [3]. This 60-day paid maternity leave allows new mothers to recover from childbirth and care for their newborns without fear of losing income or job status, and the extra unpaid period offers further flexibility if needed [3].

-Breastfeeding Breaks

To support nursing mothers returning to work, ASU policy grants breastfeeding breaks totaling up to 2 hours per workday after maternity leave, for mothers of infants up to 6 months old [3]. Thereafter, two daily breaks of 30 minutes each are allowed until the child’s first birthday [3]. The university provides suitable accommodations on campus for mothers to breastfeed or express milk during these breaks, and these childcare breaks are counted as part of paid working hours (without salary reduction) in accordance with Bahraini law [3]. This provision reflects ASU’s commitment to facilitating motherhood and infant care alongside a career [3].

-Paternity Leave

Male employees receive paternity leave to support their growing families as well. Upon the birth of a child, a father employed at ASU is entitled to one day of paid leave (to be taken within two days of the child’s birth) to attend to family needs [3]. While modest, this paternity leave acknowledges the father’s role and the importance of that time around the newborn’s arrival.

ASU’s family support policies also allow additional flexibility, such as the possibility of unpaid parental leave beyond the standard maternity period (an extra two weeks, as noted above) [3], which parents can use if they require more time at home. The university has furthermore instituted other female-friendly measures (for example, a dedicated women’s prayer room and women’s access/mentorship schemes) to create an equitable and accommodating environment for female staff and students [3].

-Impact on Workplace

As a result of these initiatives, ASU has cultivated a workplace culture that is considerate of employees’ family needs and supportive of women’s careers. The combination of on-campus childcare and robust parental leave provisions helps ensure that staff and faculty can balance their professional responsibilities with parenthood. This family-friendly approach not only promotes gender equality in terms of opportunities and retention of women, but also contributes to higher job satisfaction and productivity among the university’s workforce [1]. By investing in childcare services and parental support, Applied Science University demonstrates a strong commitment to the well-being of its community and serves as a model for inclusive policies in the higher education sector.

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