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.

Maternity, Paternity, Shared, Adoption and Other Family Leave

The University has a  comprehensive set of policies and procedures for staff wishing to take Maternity, Paternity, Adoption or Shared Parental Leave.

Fertility Investigations or Fertility Treatment 

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.

Parents and Carers Network

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.

Onsite Nursery

Staff with children aged three months to five years can use the Queen Mary Nursery conveniently located at the Mile End site at discounted rates.  Further details and an application form can be accessed in the following links:

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/nursery/

Please see the above factsheet for a quick step by step guide to applying for the Nursery Salary Sacrifice scheme.

Help with Childcare Costs

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.

Advice and Support

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. 

Useful Links