Good News for Working Mothers: Nursery and Caregiver Support

Working mothers are closely following the latest developments of the nursery and caregiver support project, which has a long history and is conducted in partnership with the European Union. This support, part of the "Project for Supporting Registered Female Employment through the Promotion of Trained Child Caregivers (EDU-CARE II)," aims to ensure that women do not stay away from the workforce and that child care is provided by trained individuals. With a total budget of approximately 15.3 million Euros, the project aims to keep 7,000 women in employment each month, including 3,500 mothers and 3,500 caregivers. These figures demonstrate how broad the project's reach is and how significant a difference it can make in the lives of working mothers.

Caregiver Support: Current Amount and Eligibility

The caregiver support payments for working mothers have been significantly increased for 2025. This support, provided especially to mothers residing in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir, offers a great opportunity for those who meet certain conditions. The project aims to support both the mother and the child by alleviating child care costs, allowing working mothers to continue their careers.

• Current Support Amount: Under the project, the monthly support amount for mothers working as 4/A (SSK) insured individuals who employ trained caregivers for the care of their 0-36 month old children has been raised to 510 Euros. When calculated at today's exchange rate, this amount is approximately 19,308 TL. Single mothers or those with children with special needs will receive a monthly support of 560 Euros (approximately 21,201 TL).

• Part-Time Working Mothers: Part-time working mothers can also benefit from the project. The monthly support amount for a part-time working mother is 255 Euros (approximately 9,654 TL), while for single mothers or those with special needs children, the monthly support amount will be 305 Euros (approximately 11,547 TL).

• Application Conditions:

• Mothers with children aged 0-36 months (including the 36th month) can benefit from the support.

• Mothers applying must be working in an employee status (4/A). For part-time working mothers, a premium declaration of 10 days per month is required, while for full-time working mothers, a declaration of 30 days per month is necessary.

• The mother's declared gross monthly income to SGK must not exceed twice the minimum wage.

• The mother is required to employ a caregiver who has a diploma in child care or a certificate approved by İŞKUR, the Ministry of National Education (MEB), or the Vocational Qualifications Authority (MYK).

• The mother must reside in the same house as her child.

• Who Cannot Benefit: State employees and those insured under Bağ-Kur cannot benefit from this support. This indicates that the project specifically targets 4/A insured employees.

Duration of Support Payments, Application, and Registration Process

The duration of caregiver support and the payment schedule are also important details for mothers.

• Support Duration: Mothers will benefit from financial support until their child turns 36 months old. The support will be provided for a total of 12 months. For example, a mother with a 12-month-old child will be able to receive support until her child is 24 months old. However, when the child turns 36 months old, the financial support will cease even if the support period is less than 12 months.

• Application and Registration: Applications can be made through e-Government, and the pre-registration process is conducted through the relevant SGK portal. In this process, the right to pre-register will be granted to "first applicants." When moving to the final registration process, a bank consent form, a commitment letter, and necessary reports and diplomas must be submitted.

• Support for Those Who Have Left Their Jobs: In the case of being laid off, job-seeking mothers can benefit from the project for a maximum of 3 months. This aims to prevent mothers from being disadvantaged in child care until they find a new job.

• Violation Cases: A mother loses her right to support if she violates the conditions three times, aside from force majeure. This is to ensure that the project's resources are used correctly and appropriately.

• Inspections: Officials will conduct inspection visits without prior notice to ensure that the project operates in accordance with its objectives. This is important for the transparency and reliability of the project.

Social and Economic Impact of the Project

The EDU-CARE II project not only provides financial support to working mothers but also serves broader social goals such as increasing female employment and ensuring that children receive quality education and care at an early age.

• Promotion of Female Employment: The project aims to strengthen women's economic independence and encourage them to play a more active role in society by supporting working mothers in continuing their careers. The target of keeping 7,000 women in employment is a concrete indicator of this goal.

• Widespread Quality Care: The requirement for caregivers to be certified aims to improve the quality of child care services and enhance the professional competence of those working in this field.

• Social Security: The project contributes to combating unregistered employment by ensuring that both working mothers and caregivers are covered by social security.

In conclusion, the caregiver support offered to working mothers is not only an economic boon but also an investment opportunity for their children's future. Such projects are a testament to the importance that modern society places on women and children. By applying, you can benefit from this important support and continue your career and family life more robustly.