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The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority has launched the fourth edition of its Quality Mark for Parent-Supportive Work Environment program, a voluntary initiative designed to recognize organizations in the semi-government, private, and third sectors across the United Arab Emirates. The program honors institutions that adopt policies and workplace cultures supporting working parents, with applications opening February 2, 2026, and closing July 31, 2026.
The authority announced a collaboration with the Ministry of Family to implement a pilot phase expanding the parent-supportive work environment program to the government sector. Teams from both entities are working with several local and federal government institutions during this trial period to identify opportunities for program development and broaden its positive impact across different sectors.
Strategic Expansion During Year of the Family
This strategic partnership arrives as the UAE declared 2026 the “Year of the Family,” enhancing the program’s ongoing positive influence in establishing work environments that address the needs of working parents. The pilot phase contributes to developing standards suitable for government work environments as part of a broader plan to open program participation to all government institutions across the emirates.
According to Sheikh Dhiyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development Affairs and Martyrs’ Families and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, achieving the social impact of the Quality Mark for Parent-Supportive Work Environment requires integrated government action nationwide. His Highness noted that declaring 2026 the Year of the Family presents an opportunity to launch the fourth edition with a clear plan for policy alignment, data sharing, and capacity building.
Translation of National Vision into Measurable Policies
Sheikh Dhiyab emphasized that the program embodies the UAE’s commitment to making family welfare part of the nation’s institutional infrastructure. The initiative translates the We the UAE 2031 vision and the National Strategy for Gender Balance into applicable and measurable policies across all sectors, according to his statement.
Since its inception, the program has recorded continuous growth with support from President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for empowering families and children. Enabling government institutions to participate enhances the government work environment and improves work-life balance while allowing these organizations to benefit from the positive impact of parent-supportive environments, including improved productivity and talent attraction and retention.
Direct Investment in Child Development and Family Wellbeing
Her Excellency Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family and Director General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, confirmed that supporting working parents represents a direct investment in family and child welfare and community development. She stated that the fourth edition holds special significance as the nation celebrates the Year of the Family in 2026.
Additionally, Her Excellency noted that the Quality Mark for Parent-Supportive Work Environment serves as a strategic enabler for implementing the Family Growth Agenda 2031 recently launched by the Ministry of Family. The collaboration with the program team aims to develop standards and expand scope to several local and federal government institutions during the pilot phase, with future expansion to accept participation from all government entities.
Encouraging National Talent and Birth Rate Improvement
The minister emphasized that when young government sector employees find necessary support from their institutions, the country ensures attracting the best national talent to the government sector. Moreover, supporting young people encourages them to build families, directly contributing to achieving national targets for improving birth rates, she added.
The fourth edition launch extends the positive impact achieved since the program began in 2021. Throughout its three previous editions, the program witnessed expanded participation and adoption by numerous institutions of new practices including extended parental leave, flexible work policies, lactation rooms and facilities, alongside childcare support services and psychological and social wellbeing for employees.
However, these policies have raised satisfaction levels among working parents, strengthened employee loyalty to supportive institutions, and improved productivity and talent acquisition. The fourth edition focuses on expanding the program’s impact to include more sectors while developing more comprehensive standards supporting parental needs and encouraging global organizations operating in the UAE to apply program policies in their worldwide offices.
The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority has invited semi-government, private, and third sector organizations to register for the fourth edition and highlight their practices and policies supporting working parents and families. Registration remains open through the end of July 2026, with participating organizations expected to demonstrate alignment with Year of the Family 2026 objectives and the We the UAE 2031 vision.
