Bright Horizons Opens Child Care Centre in East Point Business Park

On 22 April 2003, Bright Horizons Family Solutions opened its sixth Centre for Early Childhood Care and Education in the East Point Business Park.  They also operate centres in Churchtown, Beaumont, Blanchardstown, and Citywest Dublin, serving hundreds of children each day for our clients that include the European Commission and IBM.

As Ireland’s premier provider of employer supported child care, early education, and work/life consulting, Bright Horizons Ireland is experienced in creating individualised programmes that meet employers and family needs.  Our services in Ireland include full and part-time child care for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, back-up care, out of school care, and a variety of programmes that help employees deal with the pressures of balancing work and family.

FOR EMPLOYERS

Employer-supported child care programmes can generate a powerful return on investment.  The following are the key points documented in a new investment impact study (Bright Horizons Child Care Trends 2002) on the benefits of employer sponsored care:

1. Recruitment and Retention: In a study of employees with children in employer-sponsored child care programmes, 93% of respondents said that work-site child care was a consideration in remaining with their employer.  19% had actually turned down another job rather than lose care, and 26% of those were managers.  42% of parents report that child care was an important factor in their decision to join the organisation for which they work.

2. Turnover: Among parent employees, 31% report they have considered leaving their employers due to child care issues.  85% said the availability of work site centre would affect their decision to stay.  The full cost of turnover is 1.5 times the annual salary.  Reducing turnover has a direct impact on an organisation’s bottom line.

3. Absenteeism / Employee Productivity: Among parents, 45% miss at least one day of work every six months due to child care breakdown.  These parents miss 4.3 days in a six-month timeframe.  65% are late to work or early leaving due to child care issues.  This occurs an average of 7.5 times in a six-month timeframe.

4. Employee Job Satisfaction and Performance: 91% of all respondents, including employees without children, feel work-site child care will have a positive impact on their organisation.  Employees who use, or are aware of work/life programmes are the most committed employees in the company and the least likely to feel overwhelmed or burnt out.

Researchers believe that by providing a supportive work environment- offering flexible work options, adequate time-off policies, and an atmosphere of respect- organisations are better able to attract the more valuable, high performing employees.  The result is a more effective workforce that takes pride in the organisation and takes initiative to make it more successful

FOR PARENTS

Choosing the child care programme for your family is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent.  To assist in making that decision, here is a checklist created by education and child development leaders based on the best ideas and practices of quality early childhood programmes.  When visiting child care facilities, plan to spend at least one hour observing the facility, paying careful attention to interactions between adults and children.  Once you feel that you have obtained adequate information about every aspect of the programme, you will be able to make a decision about the best care and education for your child.

HOW TO FIND QUALITY CARE- A CHECKLIST

3 PROGRAMME

•  Does the programme provide a consistent routine the children can understand and follow?

•  Does the programme follow a positive approach to discipline through education rather than punishment?

•  Are children happily and busily engaged in interesting and diverse activities and projects?

•  Is there an Open-Door policy, making parents welcome visitors at any time during the day?

•  Are indoor and outdoor environments child-sized and designed specially for children of all developmental needs?  Do you see specific learning centers rather than just toys on a shelf?

3 CENTRE STAFF

• Are the centre manager and caregivers open and responsive to your questions?

• Do caregivers interact with children in caring, respectful, and positive ways?

• Do caregivers have access to educational and community resources?

• Do the caregiver-to-child ratios meet or exceed the requirements?

• Do caregivers work in teaching teams within a positive professional environment?

• Do you see great "conversations" between caregivers and children?  

3 HEALTH & SAFETY

• Are health care policies in place and in practice?

• Are indoor and outdoor environments free from hazards at all times and regularly surveyed for safety?

• Are healthy foods and beverages provided throughout the day?

• Are all surfaces disinfected throughout the day and at closing?

• Are emergency procedures and evacuation routes established, posted, and practiced regularly?

No matter what kind of programme you select for your child, you and your child’s caregivers can join in a partnership to enhance your child’s learning experience. By building strong home-school relationships from the start, parents and caregivers can support children in becoming caring, competent individuals to prepare them for future success in school and in life.

To learn more about quality child care, visit the National Children’s Nurseries Association (NCNA) website at www.ncna.net. This organisation was formed in 1988 to promote, raise and maintain high quality standards in early childhood care and education.