A mother at work—children in good hands: how KBSU’s mother-and-child rooms operate

Combining professional work and childcare is a key challenge for many staff and students. Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh. M. Berbekov creates comfortable conditions so parents can work and study without worrying about their little ones. The university successfully runs a social project organizing mother-and-child rooms and short-stay groups. Read our article to learn about the daily life of the university’s young guests and what they do while their parents are busy.

Convenience and Care for Families

One of those who truly appreciated the university’s care is Alina Medalieva. Her main job is as the head of the multifunctional center for international students at KBSU’s School of International Education, and during the current admissions campaign, she is also acting as deputy secretary of the Admissions Committee for Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons.

To avoid interrupting her work while still providing quality leisure time for her daughters, seven-year-old Alisa and five-year-old Eva Duguzheva, Alina brings them every day to a short-stay group set up in the mother-and-child room of the KBSU Pedagogical College.

I am very grateful to the university administration for such an important initiative,” shares Alina Medalieva. “The opportunity to leave the children in the mother-and-child room, which is located right next to my workplace, is a real lifesaver. I don’t have to worry about what they’re doing, and I can even pop in for a few minutes if I want. The girls are supervised by qualified young teachers in a cozy environment with games and books. They happily run here every morning!”

Pedagogical Approach to Children’s Leisure

Childcare in the short-stay groups is provided by students and graduates of the KBSU Pedagogical College majoring in Preschool Education. For the children, this isn’t just a part-time job, but an excellent opportunity to put their acquired knowledge into practice. Educators Khadija Evgazhukova (a fourth-year student) and Diana Murzayeva (class of 2026) work in shifts in one of the groups, every other day, and strive to ensure that the children’s stay is not only safe but also educational.

«Our day is filled with a variety of activities: we read stories to the children, play board games, and other active games. For example, we recently played ‘Dwarfs and Giants’—it’s a great physical exercise with elements of mindfulness. Of course, we also have quieter activities. We strive to ensure that the children don’t just ‘have fun,’ but also develop, create, and learn to interact with each other,» says Khadija Evgazhukova.

Her partner, Diana Murzayeva, a recent college graduate, notes the creative potential of the university’s young guests:

«I really enjoy this job. The children who come to us are creative, with rich imaginations.» They often come up with their own ideas for role-playing games, such as «mother and daughter,» and we, the teachers, can only gently guide their imaginations. Children also enjoy drawing and modeling with plasticine. For us, as budding professionals, this is an invaluable experience interacting with children in a comfortable environment.»
Project Scope and Conditions for Parents

The initiative to create such spaces at KBSU was implemented as part of the All-Russian competition for universities «Help a Mother Study.» The university’s project won in the category «Organization of Joint Operation of a Mother-Child Room and a Short-Term Stay Group for Children,» which resulted in a federal subsidy for the creation of this infrastructure.

Currently, mother-child rooms are open in three buildings: the Pedagogical College, the Institute of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and the Social and Humanitarian Institute.

The service is available to KBSU students and staff with children aged 1 to 7. The rooms are open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (until 3:00 PM on Saturdays). A visit can last up to four hours per day; up to 15 children can be in a group at a time. The rooms are equipped with everything necessary, including changing rooms, changing tables, feeding stations, refrigerators, restrooms, and hygiene areas, as well as a wide selection of toys, books, and art supplies.

Admission is required at the Scholarship Programs and Student Support Center (3rd floor of the Pedagogical College). Please bring your passport, SNILS (Individual Insurance Account Number), Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the child’s birth certificate.

Detailed information on the rules and conditions of stay is set out in the official Regulations «On the Short-Term Stay Group for Children and the Mother-and-Child Room for Student Families,» which can be found at the link.