AFFINITY EDUCATION GROUP BECOMES FIRST PROVIDER TO ACHIEVE BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY WORKPLACE ACCREDITATION
Leading Early Childhood Education provider Affinity Education Group has become the first Education Group in the sector to achieve accreditation as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace, a program facilitated by the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace accreditation recognises workplaces that offer employment conditions that support women to combine breastfeeding and work, including a supportive culture, lactation breaks, flexible work options and access to private facilities.
Affinity Education Group’s Chief People Officer Linda Carroll said the organisation was proud to be recognised for creating a family-friendly workplace that enables parents to better balance work and family commitments.
“Returning to work after parental leave can be a stressful time for our people. This accreditation demonstrates our commitment to creating an environment where all staff feel welcome and supported,” said Ms Carroll.
Though supporting breastfeeding employees is simple and inexpensive for employers, it can make an enormous difference to working mothers and have significant flow-on effects by contributing to a breastfeeding friendly culture in the broader society.
Australian Breastfeeding Association President Margaret Grove commended Affinity Education Group on the accreditation and said she hopes to see more education providers follow suit.
“At a time when nearly 50% of women return to work within 12 months of giving birth, we are proud to see Affinity Education offer a flexible workplace and assist women to meet family and economic needs throughout their career,” said Ms Grove.
Ms Carroll added that by gaining accreditation as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace, Affinity Education is cementing its place as a leader in family-friendly practice.
“We hope to lead by example and encourage other education providers to adopt supportive breastfeeding practices in the workplace to make all Australian women feel supported in their return to work,” said Ms Carroll.
Beyond their commitment to employees, Affinity Education Group extends its breastfeeding friendly policy to enrolled families across their early education and care community.
Centres offering Affinity Education Group’s breastfeeding friendly policy to families include Papilio Early Learning, Milestones Early Learning, Kids Academy and Aussie Kindies Early Learning.
For more information on the Australian Breastfeeding Association and its Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace accreditation, visit
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/
About Affinity Education Group:
Affinity Education Group is Australia’s third largest provider of early education and care, operating more than 200 approved centres – including long day care, kindergarten and preschools – across Australia.
It enjoys a national presence, providing care for over 15,000 children under known childcare brands including Papilio Early Learning, Milestones Early Learning, Kids Academy and Aussie Kindies Early Learning in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
About Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA):
The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) is Australia’s peak breastfeeding information and support service. Breastfeeding is a practical, learned skill and ABA helps more than 80,000 mothers each year. ABA also provides up-to-date information and continuing education for thousands of health professionals working with mothers and babies.