Amman, Jordan, December 23, 2024 — Millions of families across Jordan are expected to benefit from the country’s first-ever National Childcare Policy – a transformative step to tackle barriers to affordable, high-quality childcare, build a brighter future for children, and boost women’s workforce participation. This policy, currently under development, is the result of a joint effort between the the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and national institutions including ministries, local and international civil society organizations, as well as members of the National Early Childhood Development Team.
For years, Jordanian families have faced significant challenges accessing affordable, high-quality childcare services. This places a heavy burden on caregivers, particularly women, often forcing them to compromise on their career aspirations—either by staying home to care for their children or accepting rare, flexible work options that do not align with their professional goals. According to the World Bank, Jordan ranks among the lowest globally in female labor force participation, at just 14%, largely due to limited childcare options. Around 1.5 million children under five lack access to formal childcare, leaving mothers to shoulder up to 12 hours of unpaid care work daily. Mothers frequently cite “family responsibilities” as the main reason they do not participate in the labor market. Rasha, a working mother in Amman, explains, “I’ve had to turn down job opportunities because I couldn’t find a safe and affordable daycare for my two-year-old,” shares Rasha, a working mother in Amman. “This could change everything for families like mine,” she added.
Jordan’s new childcare policy will address these challenges by:
- Expanding childcare access: Introducing subsidies and grants to make childcare more affordable, especially for low-income families, ensuring no child is left behind.
- Improving quality: Implementing a comprehensive Quality Management System to ensure daycare centers meet high safety and care standards, giving parents peace of mind.
- Empowering women: Reducing the caregiving burden on mothers, enabling more women to enter or rejoin the workforce, boosting family incomes, driving economic growth, and advancing gender equality across the country.
Aligned with the Economic Modernization Vision, the policy will contribute to recent national reforms like extended maternity leave, supporting working parents and promoting gender equality. Additionally, investing in early childhood and providing care for this age group will have a positive impact on children and their families. Studies show that children who receive high-quality early care perform better in school, earn higher incomes as adults, and enjoy better health.
Dr. Mohammad Al-Miqdad, Secretary-General of the Council, highlighted that the initiative aims to establish a stable institutional approach to enhancing the quality of the sector in areas such as health and protection, environment and public safety, integration of persons with disabilities, as well as learning and education in a way that promotes early childhood education. Additionally, the Childcare Policy serves as a practical tool for implementing several commitments outlined in the Child Rights Law No. (17) of 2022, particularly Articles (14) and (18), which address the child’s right to nurseries, and the provision of safe and free parks and spaces, as well as Articles (25) to (28), which focus on the rights of persons with disabilities. He noted that the policy's impact will extend to families, offering them more options and enhancing their capabilities, thereby assisting decision-makers in taking the necessary steps to advance the childcare sector through collaboration between childcare institutions, families, and the community.
Eka Zhvania, Country Director for the IRC in Jordan, says, “This policy is a game-changer for families in Jordan. By removing barriers to affordable childcare, it empowers parents to build better futures for their children and contributes to Jordan’s growth. Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and every parent deserves the support they need to succeed.”
The IRC has been at the forefront of early childhood development in Jordan through the Ahlan Simsim initiative launched in 2018 in partnership with Sesame Workshop with funding from the MacArthur Foundation and LEGO Foundation. Over the past five years, the IRC has partnered with the Ministry of Social Development and NCFA to strengthen early childhood services. Key achievements include the development of the first Accredited Quality Management System to ensure nurseries adhere to international best practices, and the training of around 500 childcare professionals to create nurturing, safe, and enriching environments for children.
It is worth noting that the National Early Childhood Development Team was established by the National Council for Family Affairs in 2018. Its aim is to facilitate networking among stakeholders working in the field of early childhood to ensure unified and coordinated efforts, advocate for early childhood issues, and achieve the best investment of resources within a shared national vision.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee for Woman Empowerment is expected to approve the final version of the policy in 2025. This policy will serve as a catalyst for cognitive development and well-being, enhancing children’s cognitive growth and emotional well-being while enabling thousands of women to return to the workforce. Ultimately, it will contribute to strengthening families and bolstering the national economy.