The Jordan Kuwait Bank, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank, concluded the first phase of the "CareArabia" initiative dedicated to enhancing the capacities of licensed nurseries in Jordan. The initiative aims to enable nurseries to access financing services by strengthening business models and operations, and enhancing the readiness of childcare providers to obtain financing through specialized training and mentoring programs, which supports women's economic participation and helps them to engage and persist in the labor market.
The program witnessed wide participation and significant competition, with 110 nurseries applying, 50 of which were selected to join the program after a precise and comprehensive evaluation process. The participating nurseries completed a series of training workshops held in Amman, which included specialized sessions on business management, financial planning, child protection, and public safety procedures.
Subsequently, the nurseries moved to a two-month individual mentoring phase through specialized consultants, where each nursery worked on developing a practical and realistic growth plan according to its operational needs. In culmination of these efforts, the bank announced during the closing ceremony the presentation of two awards valued at 5,000 Jordanian Dinars for the best two nurseries that met the standards of excellence during the program.
Commenting on this achievement, Zuhdi Al-Jiyousi, Head of Corporate Banking at the Jordan Kuwait Bank, emphasized that this program embodies the bank's steadfast commitment to supporting women's economic empowerment, enhancing the childcare sector which contributes to increasing women's participation in the labor market, and creating a sustainable and more flexible work environment for working families.
On the subject of sustainable financial solutions, the bank highlighted the "My Nursery" product, which was launched at the end of 2024 as one of the prominent financial solutions supporting entrepreneurial women. The product provides financing of up to 250,000 Jordanian Dinars without collateral, in partnership with the Jordan Loan Guarantee Company. The bank has already begun receiving financing requests, with expectations of an increase in requests coinciding with the completion of the guidance and mentoring phase.
The program results showed a strong commitment from nursery owners and a genuine desire to develop financial and managerial skills, reflecting the program's impact and its role in the growth of the sector and enhancing the quality of childcare services.
The Jordan Kuwait Bank confirms that the "CareArabia" initiative represents a strategic step towards enhancing the private sector's role in supporting early childhood, paving the way for broader national solutions that include digital platforms and sustainable training initiatives to ensure the growth of this vital sector.
