New crèche group at Kindergarten No. 1 in Trușeni expands access to childcare services

A new crèche group has opened at Kindergarten No. 1 “Guguță” in Trușeni commune, offering children aged 1 to 3 improved conditions for care and early childhood development. The new service also supports mothers in returning to the labour market.

The space was equipped by UN Women with furniture, equipment, teaching materials, toys and other educational resources, with financial support from Switzerland through the Women for Peace and Prosperity project. The total value of the contribution amounted to approximately MDL 180,000. At the same time, the renovation of the crèche group was carried out by the Trușeni local administration, which invested nearly MDL 200,000 in these works.

The crèche group in Trușeni is part of the national efforts to expand public childcare services under the National Programme “Public Crèche Services – Employed Parents, Children in Crèches.”

“This programme is not only about expanding childcare services, but also about providing concrete support to young families, especially women, so they can return to the labour market more quickly. We thank the Government of Switzerland and UN Women for investing in the development of these services, which contribute to the well-being of children and families across our country,” said Natalia Plugaru, Minister of Labour and Social Protection.

UN Women joined this programme through the Together We Grow initiative, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, with financial support from the European Union through the EVOLVE4GE project, from Switzerland through the Women for Peace and Prosperity project, and from Sweden.

“Crèches provide children with a safe and friendly environment where they can socialise, learn and grow. Access to such services directly contributes to women’s economic empowerment, giving them greater autonomy and the opportunity to continue their professional paths,” underlined Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Country Representative in the Republic of Moldova, during the inauguration event.

To date, UN Women has supported the renovation and/or equipping of 15 crèche groups in Chișinău, Cahul, Căușeni, Glodeni, Nisporeni, Rîșcani, Sîngerei, Trușeni and Ungheni, as well as the establishment of four child-friendly rooms in public institutions in Chișinău. The total value of UN Women’s investments in the development of these services exceeds MDL 2 million.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, approximately 117,000 women in the Republic of Moldova remain outside the labour market due to limited access to childcare services. In addition, only 1 in 10 children under the age of 3 attend kindergarten.

“Investments in childcare services mean more support for families, more opportunities for women, and tangible benefits for the entire community. When women have equal access to employment and can fully realise their potential, society as a whole benefits,” said Guido Beltrani, Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Moldova.