Projected evening clubs to host children of working mothers

AMMAN — Working mothers soon will no longer have to worry about where to send their children after nurseries and schools close, a Ministry of Social Development official told The Jordan Times on Thursday.

Fawaz Ratrout, the ministry’s spokesperson, said a draft law is being prepared to allow the licensing of “children’s clubs” where mothers who work until the evening can send their children.

Ratrout explained that children stay in nurseries, kindergarten and even schools until noon or 2pm, but some working mothers have to stay at work until 5pm.

“The planned clubs will be designed to host children who are between the ages of four and nine,” added Ratrout, who also heads the committee that is drafting the law.

Once the law is drafted and endorsed, these clubs will provide social activities and develop the children’s skills and hobbies, as part of the Kingdom’s interventions to advance early childhood development.

In addition, the ministry has formed a committee to draw up regulations to license early intervention centres for children with disabilities, according to Ratrout.

The committee has almost finalised the regulations, he said, and once they are approved, the establishment of these centres will help decrease pressure in both day- and night-care centres.

The early intervention centre will accommodate children who are six years old and younger.