Day Care Feasibility - Essay Example

Day Care Feasibility Our workforce currently has a large number of employees with small children. Most of them have their children in some sort of day care situation. I would like to explore the possibility of starting a day care center here at work. I am requesting four hours away from my regular duties to research the idea of starting an on site child care facility. Benefits of On Site Day Care Many businesses currently operate child care centers for their employees. When child care is on site, businesses report less absenteeism. The convenience of in house service also allows for adjusting the centers hours to accommodate our work schedule. Some employees would find it easier to work overtime during our peak scheduling requirements. This would also aid in reducing tardiness and reduce unexpected and unplanned absences. Along with reducing absenteeism, on site service would give employees with children a greater sense of well being by having the children nearby. It would raise the morale of the workers and that would almost certainly translate to increased production. Being near their children would also relieve a great amount of worry and allow workers to concentrate on their work without being distracted. Adequate day care is an obstacle to many parents wishing to enter the workforce. By offering company-sponsored daycare we will open our doors for high quality workers that would otherwise be reluctant or unable to work due to child care concerns. Our company would then be in a better position to compete for these dedicated workers. The importance of quality child care would also insure greater retention of our current employees. Current Research I have done preliminary research on company sponsored day care and have found that many companies currently offer some form of child care. The care may be done on site or contracted off site by outside day care providers. In either case, the center would need to be staffed by professionals brought in as dedicated operators. It would require an appropriate facility, licensing, and trained staffing. I plan to contact a few major day care operators to evaluate the services they can provide and what the requirements for a facility would be. A recent study by economists at Bowdoin College pointed out the popularity and practicality of company sponsored day care. They conducted a study during a period when the unemployment rate was low and employers were having a hard time employing and retaining quality workers. They found that the added attraction of on site care not only attracted a higher quality and more dedicated workforce, but they were also able to compete for those workers at a cost savings on marginally lower wages. They found the savings to be substantial. The Bowdoin study further showed that workers viewed companies that offer on site daycare more favorably whether or not they had small children. They found most workers were even in favor of contributing to the cost of day care even if they did not use the facility. The results were a more dedicated and productive workforce. The willingness for employees to subsidize the cost can show that it is economically practical. Continued Study I would like to use the time away from my regular duties to further research the feasibility of operating an on site daycare center. I will contact selected day care operators in the area to evaluate the physical requirements for the facility and get their recommendations. This will give me an estimation of fixed cost for the center and determine whether it can be on site or if there is a suitable location in the area. I would like to interview our workforce and determine how many parents currently use day care and what the expected use would be. I would also use the interviews to find out how much they currently pay for services. This would also help me evaluate their current concerns on child care and would be able to set a program that would address their needs. It is hoped that we can operate the center at no cost to the company, and it may even be a profitable business center. Another consideration will be the liability of the company operating the center. We would need to determine the insurance necessary and what the increased cost would be. Along with the insurance requirements would be added cost of permits, licensing and tax considerations. I could then calculate the cost per child based on expected use. I would also like to contact a company that currently operates a day care center to learn of their experience and the unexpected obstacles they encountered in opening a center. By anticipating problems and unknown variables we can better plan for its operation. We also may need to adequately sell the idea to our employees. By presenting a well-planned and thoughtful day care center we can help assure that it will be viewed positively. In Conclusion On site day care is an idea that I feel is important to address. The benefits Ive noted from a cursory investigation into similar companies with sponsored day care show there can be many positive aspects. More focused research can give us an idea of cost and feasibility to move forward. It would let us project expected use and outline the steps we need to take to implement the plan. Unforeseen obstacles can be anticipated and planned for. This research, though modest, is a necessary part of planning a successful center. With a solid plan and supportive workforce, the company, as well as the workers, can realize the benefits of on site daycare. The four hours away from my regular duties are needed to complete this research and give me the additional information I require to move forward. I can assure you that the time will be well spent and greatly enhance the possibility of creating a successful program. I have a firm belief that we can make this work for the good of everyone and I hope you will support me in my efforts. Primary audience: The primary audience is my supervisor. Audience size: The audience size is one. However, my supervisor may share the memo with other management members to get their reaction and additional feedback. Audience composition: The audience will be composed of my immediate supervisor as well as the possibility of other management team members. Audiences level of understanding: My supervisor will have a thorough understanding of the child care issue and its relationship to employee performance and attendance. Audiences expectations and preferences: My supervisor may not be aware of the possibility for company sponsored child care and the positive effects it can have on employee performance. Their lack of awareness may bring about some initial negativity. Audiences probable reaction: The time asked for is not a large investment for the company to make to pursue this issue. The memo will address the main concerns while promoting its importance. My supervisor should see from the memo that I have a well reasoned plan and have given ample consideration to it to move forward and take the next necessary steps. Read More