1. Our Journey Toward a Parent-Friendly Work Culture
   
   

   At The Developing Child Centre, supporting children and families is at the heart of what we do—so it was only natural that this ethos extends to our internal culture. Our journey toward becoming a parent-friendly workplace began by listening to our employees. Over the years, we introduced flexible work arrangements, nursing breaks, and remote work options tailored to the diverse needs of our multidisciplinary team. In 2023, we formalized these efforts with dedicated policies, wellness programs, and child-friendly spaces within our centre. The transformation wasn’t a sudden shift, but a steady and intentional commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive, and family-aware workplace that mirrors the values we uphold for the children and families we serve every day.



2. What Inspired Us
   
   

   As an organization founded on child development and family support, the decision to join the Parent-Friendly Label movement was a natural progression of our mission. We recognized early on that the well-being of our staff directly influences the care we deliver to our clients. Our leadership team, including many parents themselves, understood the value of flexibility, empathy, and psychological safety. The Parent-Friendly Label offered a framework to measure our progress, push ourselves further, and publicly commit to a work culture where being a parent is embraced—not treated as a limitation. We wanted to set an example within the private education and therapy sector that prioritizing family-friendly policies is both impactful and achievable.



3. Our Most Impactful Initiative
   
   

   At The Developing Child Centre, one of the most impactful parent-friendly initiatives we’ve implemented is our Flexible Working Hours Policy, which falls under the Flexible Work Arrangements program category. This initiative was developed in direct response to the evolving needs of our team—many of whom are parents managing caregiving responsibilities alongside demanding professional roles.

   Employees are offered the option to stagger start and end times, compress their workweek, or shift to part-time or remote setups when needed. Whether it's attending a school event, managing childcare transitions, or supporting a child with health needs, the flexibility to adjust working hours has proven invaluable.

   This approach has not only improved work-life balance but also strengthened employee retention, morale, and overall job satisfaction. Most importantly, it communicates to our employees that they don’t have to choose between being a committed professional and a present parent. Flexibility isn’t just a policy at TDCC—it’s a promise to support our employees through every stage of life.



4. Why Parent-Friendly Workplaces Are the Future
   
   

   Organizations that adopt a parent-friendly approach unlock a wide range of benefits—improved staff retention, enhanced well-being, stronger morale, and greater productivity. At TDCC, we are beginning to see these positive outcomes as we implement more flexible, family-focused practices. When employees feel seen, supported, and trusted, they are empowered to bring their best to their roles—not only for their tasks, but for their teams and the families we serve.

   Parent-friendly workplaces also promote inclusion by removing barriers faced by mothers, single parents, and caregivers of children with additional needs. They attract professionals who seek more than a job—they seek purpose, balance, and belonging. As we continue to evolve in this direction, we believe parent-friendly workplaces will become the new standard. We aim to be among the sector leaders showing that empathy and excellence are not mutually exclusive—and that investing in people is a strategic investment in our future.



5. Employee Testimonials
   
   

   "TDCC’s commitment to employee well-being was evident in the extended leave, flexible hours, and genuine support I received throughout my maternity journey." - Varsha Vijayan, Speech and Language Therapist

   "Having a child studying abroad comes with unique demands, and TDCC’s flexible work policies have allowed me to be fully present both as a parent and a professional. The trust and support I’ve received reflect an organizational culture that genuinely values family, balance, and long-term well-being." - Amina Shazib, Head of Inclusive Education Services

   "Returning to work after having my first child was both a physical and emotional adjustment, but TDCC made the transition as smooth as possible. I was supported with flexible hours, a gradual return plan, and genuine care from my team and leadership. Most importantly, my role was adjusted to reduce physical demands, allowing me to focus on healing while still contributing meaningfully to the Centre. I’m truly grateful to be part of an organization that not only acknowledges the realities of motherhood but goes the extra mile to support working mothers through every stage of the journey." — Sasha Diosay, Co-Lead Educator



6. Real-Life Stories of Flexibility
   
   

   Angelie, a valued member of our Admin and Client Data team, gave birth to her first child unexpectedly during what was meant to be a routine OB visit. TDCC immediately ensured all her responsibilities were managed, allowing her to focus on her recovery and her newborn. Upon returning to work, she was supported with flexible hours, work-from-home options, and a private, fully equipped nursing room. These accommodations enabled her to maintain her role with confidence while balancing new motherhood.

   Another team member has a child with a severely compromised immune system who must remain at home. In response, TDCC offered her reduced working days and the option to work remotely. Around the same time, her husband lost his job—placing immense emotional and financial stress on the family. She did not hesitate to seek support from our HR Manager, who helped her with job-seeking strategies and ultimately secured a job opportunity for her husband. With both their roles now stable, the family was able to remain in the UAE— something deeply important to them.

   These stories highlight TDCC’s commitment to going beyond policy—to providing practical, compassionate solutions that truly support our team’s well-being.



7. Data-Driven Insights that Made a Difference
   
   

   In 2023, our internal HR survey revealed that 3 out of 5 employees faced challenges balancing caregiving responsibilities with rigid work hours. We used this data to design a trial run of our Flexible Work Arrangement Policy, introducing options such as compressed workweeks and remote schedules. The pilot program was closely monitored, and within the first quarter, we saw a 20% improvement in work-life satisfaction scores and a drop in absenteeism. This evidence-based feedback helped us convert the trial into a formal policy, proving that listening to employees—and responding with action—leads to better outcomes for everyone.

Submitted by:
Donna Cara
Head of HR and Administrative Operations
The Developing Child Centre LLC