The daycare center for the children of employees and students at the State University of Moldova (USM) will be opened this spring with the support of UNFPA Moldova. The space is arranged in the first block of the university and will have two rooms, one for breastfeeding and another for children up to 3 years old.

"The opening of the daycare center is scheduled for this spring. There will be two rooms. In the one for older children, with a capacity of 7-10 persons, a nanny will be hired. In the one for babies, with a capacity of 5-6 children, only first-degree relatives will be allowed access, who will take care of the children in the absence of parents", said Otilia Dandara, Vice-Rector of USM.

The daycare center will be opened with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which, in partnership with the Center for Partnership in Development (CPD) and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, provided technical expertise and financial support of around 450,000 lei.

"Taking into consideration that there are not enough daycare centers, creating this space within the university, an alternative childcare service, provides the opportunity for both teachers and students to come to the university and have a place to leave their child up to the age of three. We want families, couples to harmoniously combine their professional and family life at the same time," mentioned Natalia Plugaru, Deputy Representative of UNFPA Moldova.

According to Rector Igor Șarov, the university has 55 students and 27 professors with children up to 3 years old, and the space will be arranged based on the number of requests. In total, over 11,000 students study at USM, making it the largest university in the Republic of Moldova.

Two years ago, the Parliament adopted a law allowing businesses to set up childcare spaces for their employees within companies, given the significant shortage of daycare centers in Moldova. Expenses will be covered by employers.

Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun mentioned that only 16% of 1-2-year-old children attend kindergartens or daycare centers, leading to a low rate of female employment and financial difficulties for parents in the first years of a child's life.