This initiative, promoted by the Equality Unit of the Vice-Rectorate for Equality, Inclusion, and Social Commitment, primarily aims to facilitate the balance between personal, family, work, and academic life for members of the university community. It offers a support resource for childcare on days that can be particularly challenging for families.
The service was first implemented during the 2025/2026 academic year and received an excellent reception, confirming its usefulness and the need to continue developing university policies that realistically address work-life balance needs.
The Vice-Rector for Equality, Inclusion, and Social Commitment, María Isabel Ramírez, emphasized that work-life balance should be understood as a shared institutional responsibility, not just an individual one. "The positive reception of the morning playroom last year encourages us to continue working on concrete, useful, and accessible measures that improve the daily lives of our university community," she stated.
Ramírez also expressed her gratitude to the university community for their trust in the service, highlighting their participation in consolidating this initiative that addresses a real need.
For her part, the Director of the Equality Unit, Inmaculada López, shared her satisfaction after visiting the playroom, observing how the children thoroughly enjoy the activities, which in turn allows university community members to carry out their day with complete peace of mind.
The playroom began operating this Friday, a non-academic day for the school calendar but a working day for the university, and will run until June on specific non-academic dates. It will operate from 8 AM to 3 PM, compatible with the university schedule. It is intended for children aged 3 to 14 from university families and will offer professional supervision and age-appropriate activities in a safe, educational, and playful environment.
Through this measure, the University of Almería reinforces its commitment to equality, shared responsibility, and the well-being of its community, advancing towards a more inclusive university that is sensitive to family needs.
