A new law firm is offering creche facilities on-site so staff can bring their children to work.

The firm is being headed by Maria Hameed, a senior solicitor, who said she didn’t want staff to miss out on spending their time with their kids.

The set up also enables parents to save money on expensive nursery fees and parents to go back to work full-time.

M by Mariah Legal opened earlier this year in Blackburn. The office is based above a nursery, and has dedicated space on the same floor where toddlers and babies can be cared for.

Maria said: “It has been something that has been increasingly important in today’s working environment.

“There was always this choice between going to work or spending time at home. I know when I had my first child I struggled.

“I went through these experiences myself and the first years can be really difficult for new parents.

“There is a lot of adjustment and we want to be able to work but also do not want to miss out on the formative years of our child’s development. 

“Our children also need us and I’m trying to close the gap between making difficult decisions surrounding parenthood and work-life.

“Here, staff are supported and on-site childcare facilities allow parents and children to be close to each other. 

“After Covid, we have seen that working and caring for children simultaneously is feasible, and this is a mechanism to facilitate that.

"I hope this initiative gains momentum and other companies follow suit.”

Maria said parents should not have make a choice between caring for their kids and work

Maria said the set-up had been welcomed by her colleagues.

She added: “We are a small firm but at the moment all our staff are so happy that we have come to this arrangement. They can be around their children during their working day.

“Of course, whilst our staff are women there are many fathers who are main carers and we would equally support them also.”

The law firm specialises in family law including children custody, children contact and divorce cases, immigration law and personal injury. 

Maria added: “The first few months have been really good and the firm is slowly finding its feet.”

You can find out more about M by Mariah Legal on 01254 800 421.