Affinity launches new “Pregnancy and Parenting Support Program” for team members navigating pregnancy whilst working

Affinity Education Group has launched a National Pregnancy and Parenting Support Program that aims to support early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals who want to start a family of their own. 

“Our centres and center support office understand that even in the early days, mothers and fathers can use some support,” a spokesperson said, outlining that in the early days of pregnancy, staff have access to counselling and resources, flexibility for appointments and internal support. 

Once a pregnancy has been announced, the People and Culture Team work closely with the relevant managers to develop a risk management plan during pregnancy at work. This individualised pathway program is flexible and can change throughout the pregnancy journey. 

For an educator working with children aged birth to two years of age, this program will also include room and duty changes to reduce the chance of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) to at-risk staff members, in the interest of maintaining a safe and supportive work environment.  

Staff are supported to access Centrelink Paid Parental Leave, including encouragement to utilise the complete 18 weeks and create customised return-to-work programs to ensure the transition back to work is as straightforward as possible. 

Keep in touch days support this transition, and services have breastfeeding-friendly areas for when mothers are breastfeeding, pumping or bottle-feeding their babies at work . Educators and teachers are encouraged to enroll their children in their own centres where possible to create a more relaxed transition into care. 

In March 2022, the provider became accredited with the Australian Breastfeeding Association, and maintains a commitment to ensuring that workplaces across the network offer safe and welcoming spaces for breastfeeding employees. 

To learn more about the parental leave experiences of those already employed with Affinity, please see here.