30.09.2020

The application for building children's playgrounds in the workplace has started

Policies to support the family and women and to achieve a balance between personal and professional life are among the priorities of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. A step in this direction is the "Children's Corners" procedure, under which, as of today, private employers and executive and local authorities can submit projects for the creation of children's corners in the workplace.

BGN 15 million will be allocated to the companies for the construction of children's playgrounds under the Operational Program "Human Resources Development" (OPHRD). The purpose of the operation is to increase the opportunities for better reconciliation of personal and professional life of employees.

Employers can apply for the construction of children's playgrounds in companies from today to mid-December 2020. About 200 companies in Bulgaria will be able to make children's playgrounds with the help of the state, according to the open procedure of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. This way, parents will not have to worry about who will look after their children.

The money will be given by the state for the reconstruction of the premises and their equipment with everything necessary for the little ones, as well as for the salary of the staff who will take care of the children.

In the created children's corners the children of the employees will receive hourly or all-day services. Each playground must provide the necessary care environment for at least 15 children. Unemployed persons registered with the Labor Offices will be hired as babysitters, who will undergo training if necessary. The projects will cover the remuneration of babysitters for a period of up to 12 months. The minimum amount of financial support from OPHRD for the creation of a children's playground at the workplace is BGN 50,000, and the maximum - BGN 150,000 depending on the number of children who will attend the study hall. However, the goal is not to completely replace the kindergarten, but to provide hourly care. This is a good model in which, if it is necessary to return a child from a nursery or kindergarten earlier, he can be engaged there.