Queen Mary offers a range of family friendly services and policies to support our staff with childcare responsibilities. Our services range from an on-site nursery at our Mile End camps and a dedicated staff network for Parents and Carers to generous maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies.
The University has a comprehensive set of policies and procedures for staff wishing to take Maternity, Paternity, Adoption or Shared Parental Leave.
The University recognises the physical and emotional stresses of undergoing fertility testing and treatment and wishes to support those staff who are going through the process. The University’s new Fertility Treatment Policy is intended to assist eligible staff members in the logistical and emotional aspects of undergoing treatment. Further details can be found in the guidelines Queen Mary Fertility Guidance [PDF 205KB]. If you have any queries regarding these guidelines, you are advised to contact the ER Adviser for your Faculty or department.
Queen Mary's Parents and Carers Network was established to raise awareness of the needs of working parents and carers. The Network is for staff who are parents (in any context) to children of any age and for those who are balancing work with caring for an ill, elderly, or disabled family member, friend or partner.
The Network gives parents and carers the opportunity to share experiences, tips and to offer support. The Network also provides an informal setting to socialise and to discuss the various challenges that are presented as a parent or a carer; talking to others who are in the same situation is often the most powerful form of support. It also acts as a mechanism for communication with the University, providing a forum for staff to consult on policy development and advise on best practice.
Childcare Vouchers
The Childcare Vouchers scheme is closed to all new applicants. It is no longer possible for Queen Mary staff to opt into the scheme. Staff already taking advantage of the scheme as of 12 September 2018 will not be affected and can continue to use their vouchers as normal. For those with Childcare Vouchers wishing to amend or cancel please download and use the following form:
Government Assisted Tax-free childcare
The government has launched an alternative tax-free scheme to assist with childcare costs. Further details and an application form can be accessed in the government's Get Tax-Free Childcare page.
Staff are able to access the Employee Assistance Programme for practical tips for parenting children of every age. Whether you are bringing home a new baby or negotiating the teenage years, the programme can provide counselling and support. It is a confidential service that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Emma's Dairy - Baby & pregnancy advice for parents-to-be.Fit Pregnancy - Prenatal and postnatal guidance on health, baby care and more.Bounty - Pregnancy, birth and baby advice for dads.
Adoption UK - can put you in touch with adopters who are facing the same issues as you and invite you to family days where you can meet other adoptive families.
First 4 Adoption - a resource for those thinking of adoption. Includes advice and curated elearning modules which explore what life as an adoptive parent is really like.
Surrogacy UK - Surrogacy UK is a one stop shop for all information about Surrogacy in the UK.
Surrogacy: legal rights of parents and surrogates
Mumsnet - Surrogacy
Fertility Network UK - UK’s largest charity for people experiencing fertility problems has an excellent range of resources and fact sheets
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority - is the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment and research using human embryos, and has an excellent range of information on fertility treatments and clinics
Fertility Friends - is the leading infertility community in the UK, with members at every stage of their journey.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) fertility problems guidelines explain how your GP will determine what types of treatments and interventions they can offer you.
Childcare Choices - All about Government help with childcare costs, including 15 to 30 hours free childcare, Tax-Free Childcare, tax credits, Universal Credit, vouchers and support.PACEY - The Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years. Family and Childcare Trust - National charity for childcare and family issuesParenting, Childcare and Children’s Services (UK Gov) - Parenting, childcare and children's servicesTinies - UK Childcare & Nanny Agencies and Jobs
Positive Parenting - Positive parentingFamily Lives - Parenting and Family SupportParents - Pregnancy, Birth, Babies, ParentingSuperNanny - Supernanny Parenting Advice
Families Together London
Mumsnet - LGBT Parents
Stonewall - Parenting Rights - resources covering a range of issues
Single Parents - brings together essential information, expert advice, interactive learning, multi-media content, links to other support organisations and news for anyone who is parenting alone.
Gingerbread - To get there, we provide information to help single parents support themselves and their family. We run programmes to equip single parents with the skills and opportunities to gain employment. And we campaign and influence policy to reduce stigma against single parents, and make services more accessible to all families – whatever their shape or size.
RoSPA - Play SafetyDr Miriam Stoppard - UK's best selling family expertDr Greene - Aiming to improve children's health by informing and inspiring their carersHealthy Children - From the American Academy of PediatricsKids Health - The Web's most visited site about children's healthMedline Plus - Children's HealthNet Doctor Parenting - Parenting, Pregnancy & FertilitySafe Kid - Children's Health and Safety AssociationTHINK! - UK Government road safety advice
Bullying UK - From BullyingUK, charity dedicated to providing advice and support on school bullyingChildline - Free, private and confidential support serviceCyber Bullying - Cyberbullying Research CenterMegan Meier Foundation - Bullying and Cyberbully PreventionNSPCC - Bullying and cyberbullying adviceStop Bullying (UK Gov) - Help stop bullying at school, online, and in the communityBullying UK YouTube - Videos from from charity Bullying UK