parent-friendly-cycle-3

Go to main ECA website

About the Program

Thriving Through Talent: How parent-friendly policies drive balance, growth, and global competitiveness.

The Parent-friendly Label™ (PFL) is a UAE-wide voluntary workplace award program that allows organizations operating in the country within the semi-governmental, private and third sectors, the opportunity to earn a label in recognition of their commitment to a supportive work culture and policies which ultimately impact children of 0-8 years old. A large number of organizations across the UAE have already started their journey towards becoming a parent-friendly workplace, impacting +163,000 employees, +105,000 working parents, +60,000 working parents with children 0-8 years old and +2,250 working parents with children of determination to-date.

Are you ready to join the future of work?

Download Applicant Handbook

Cycle 3 Parent-friendly Label earners

Working families in UAE often need to make difficult trade-offs in order to satisfy work requirements. They require greater support to thrive at work and at home. By encouraging Parent-friendly workplaces, we can establish a work culture, policies and ways of working that are compassionate towards working parents of young children ages 0-8.

The Parent-friendly Label helps to:

Promote UAE as a parent-friendly place to work.

Encourage the adoption of a parent-friendly workplace culture, policies, facilities and ways of working.

Benefits of Parent-friendly policies

In UAE today, a significant proportion of the population are stressed and struggle to spend time with their families due to their work.

Improves mother-child interactions

Maternity leave is beneficial for infants in the first few months of life, where leave time is linked to better quality of life, where leave time is linked to better quality of mother-child interactions as well as increased attachment security for the infant

Level 1: Parent-friendly Label

Workplaces in UAE that exceed local requirements and standards.

Level 2: Parent-friendly+

Workplaces in UAE that meet or exceed global leading policies and practices.

311,000+

Supporting 311,000+ employees across the UAE since the launch of the Parent-friendly Label program in 2021.

Press Releases: News and Success Stories of the Parent-Friendly Label

Stay abreast of the latest press releases showcasing organizations that have adeptly implemented Parent-friendly policies and exemplary practices. Uncover the transformative impact of Parent-friendly Label success stories on workplaces throughout the UAE.

His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Miral Celebrated Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025 with Community Activations for Families and Students at CLYMB™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, hosted two community events at CLYMB™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, in celebration of Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025, centred around the theme “Together We Can Make Abu Dhabi a Family-Friendly Emirate.”

H.E. Sana bint Mohamed Suhail visits Emirates Humanitarian City to highlight that every child’s early years matter

Marking the end of Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025 H.E. Sana bint Mohamed Suhail visits Emirates Humanitarian City to highlight that every child’s early years matter

Marking the end of Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025, Her Excellency Sana bint Mohamed Suhail, Minister of Family and Director General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), visited Emirates Humanitarian City.

Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week Promotes Active Play Through the Third Annual WED Fun Run

Children and families take part in an energetic, family-friendly run at Zayed Sports City Stadium

PureHealth, Majlisna Opens at SKMC: A Family-Friendly Space Supporting Inclusive Childhoods

As part of Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week In collaboration with PureHealth, Majlisna Opens at SKMC: A Family-Friendly Space Supporting Inclusive Childhoods

The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), in collaboration with PureHealth, has unveiled a new Majlisna community-centered public site at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC),

Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority launches the Second PFL Impact Report

From First Steps to Thriving Societies: ECA Launches Their Early Years Matter Campaign

The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) has launched Their Early Years Matter Campaign, to raise awareness about the importance of the early years of life, from conception to the age of eight.

An initiative launched by the "Khalifa Award" on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week “Khalifa for Children’s Storytelling Creativity” aims to discover promising

The General Secretariat of the Khalifa Award for Education one of the Erth Zayed Philanthropies institutions, announced the launch of the “Khalifa Children’s Creativity Storytelling Competition”

“Al Nokhatha Al Sagheer”: Abu Dhabi Maritime Sports Academy and ECA to Inspire Children to Connect with the UAE’s Maritime Heritage During Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025

ECA and Hub71 Partner to Advance Innovation for Children through Integration of Anjal Z into Hub71’s Access Program

Collaboration will accelerate early-childhood and health-tech startups with pilot funding, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for family-focused innovation.

Under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Play, Learn, Connect: Abu Dhabi Gears Up for Early Childhood Week with Emirate-Wide Family Experiences and Activities

Partners and calendar of experiences and activities revealed for Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025

Supporting breastfeeding: A business standard or employee perk in UAE?

Breastfeeding support in the workplace is becoming a game-changer for UAE businesses

ECA’s Parent-Friendly Label sets higher bar as more UAE employers adopt family-first policies

The UAE is seeing a shift in workplace culture as more employers expand parental leave, flexible hours, and support for families of children of determination.

Return to five-day week in the office is 'inevitable', UAE employment experts say

It is only a matter of time before most companies in the UAE discard remote options and ask for staff to be based solely in the office during the working week, experts have said.

Parent-friendly Label earners celebrate achievement, praise leadership support for family

Leaders of the 12 local and global organisations who earned the Parent-friendly Label (PFL) in its 3rd Cycle have expressed deep gratitude and praise for the UAE leadership’s support for driving a nation-wide shift toward family-centric work environments.

Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority reveals recipients of Parent-Friendly Label in its 3rd cycle

Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority has revealed the recipients of the Parent-Friendly Label (PFL) in its 3rd cycle.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed with awardees of the Parent-Friendly Label at Qasr Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi

UAE President honours institutions awarded ‘Parent-Friendly Label’

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has affirmed the UAE's steadfast commitment to supporting family stability and cohesion, describing the family as the foundation of a strong society.

Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority Launches Its Parent-friendly Label Program for a Third Cycle -

The application window is open from February 27 to September 2, 2024 Organizations in the private sector, semi-government and third sector are eligible to apply to earn the Parent-friendly Label. […]

7f632589-d3f8-4803-a308-a11185c8342a-scaled

Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority Launches New Parent-Friendly Label Initiative -

Under the patronage and in the presence of HH Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi […]

THIRD CYCLE OF PARENT-FRIENDLY LABEL APPLICATION RECORDS 57% INCREASE IN BENEFITING WORKING PARENTS -

Abu Dhabi, UAE – September 23, 2024: In a new testament of shifting tides towards empowering the UAE’s working parents, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA)’s Parent-friendly Label™ (PFL) […]

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with the latest PFL news.

Have a look at our latest newsletter here.

Have a look at our 2nd edition newsletter here.

Have a look at our 1st edition newsletter here.

The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) is a government entity, based in Abu Dhabi, that supports holistic early childhood development. We do this by developing policies and laws, informing decision-making through research and transforming behavior.

General & Complaints