Dr. Maya Morsy, Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, recently chaired a meeting focused on expanding the national nursery and early childhood care system. The meeting comes in response to directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during the Women’s Day celebration, highlighting the importance of enhancing the welfare of children and supporting working mothers.
Key Highlights:
- Number of Licensed Nurseries: As of now, Egypt has 13,900 licensed nurseries across the country.
- Expansion Plans: The ministry aims to increase coverage of nurseries for children aged 0-4 years, aiming to raise coverage from the current 8% to 25% nationwide.
The meeting, which was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Social Solidarity, discussed the steps to fulfill the President’s directives. Dr. Morsy emphasized the crucial role of nurseries in fostering the early development of children, which includes supporting physical, mental, and emotional growth, preparing them for kindergarten stages, and offering essential guidance for parents.
Strategic Partnerships and Coordination
The Ministry has called for a nationwide survey to assess the current state of nurseries and streamline the licensing process. Furthermore, Dr. Morsy urged greater collaboration with partner ministries, including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Local Development, Ministry of Housing, and the Ministry of Interior, to coordinate efforts in overcoming challenges and expanding the availability of nurseries nationwide.
The initiative reflects Egypt’s commitment to providing quality early childhood care to ensure the well-being of the youngest members of society, promoting balanced growth, and nurturing their potential to thrive in the future.
Raising Awareness and Strengthening Support
In addition to improving access to nurseries, the Ministry will continue to focus on raising awareness among families about the importance of early childhood development and providing necessary guidance on proper child-rearing practices to create a nurturing and supportive environment for all children.
