Saudi Arabia is moving to expand childcare nurseries across government and private sector workplaces as part of broader efforts to support working parents and increase women’s participation in the labour market under Vision 2030.
The Council of Ministers has directed the Ministry of Education, in coordination with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and other authorities, to develop regulations and procedures for establishing workplace nurseries in institutions with large employee populations.
The initiative is aimed at helping employees balance work and family responsibilities while advancing early childhood development goals.
Under the Cabinet decision, authorities will address operational and organisational challenges linked to workplace childcare centres, including differences in working hours between nurseries and various sectors such as ministries, schools and private companies.
Officials were also instructed to tackle variations in daily start and end times to encourage more employees to enrol their children in workplace nurseries.
The government said additional support would be provided to strengthen existing nurseries operating in public sector workplaces. Measures include increasing operational budgets, maintaining facilities, improving internet infrastructure, hiring childcare staff and cleaners, and reinforcing governance systems for support services.
The decision further called for the preparation of suitable spaces and infrastructure to establish nurseries while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Authorities will also launch awareness efforts highlighting the benefits of workplace childcare for parents, employers and children.
Saudi Arabia clarified that all related expenses must be managed within existing approved budgets through reprioritisation of spending, without increasing the state’s financial burden or expanding approved expenditure ceilings.
The move comes as the Kingdom continues to introduce labour and social reforms designed to create a more inclusive and family-friendly work environment while accelerating women’s economic participation.