Child Development

Child Development Center2

Last Updated Aug 20, 2008 05:33 PM

Child Development Centerat Los Alamos National LaboratoryNumerous studies have shown that a major issue for employees is access to qualitychildcare.

This is also an important concern at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Facilities throughout the Department of Energy complex have responded to thisissue by establishing childcare centers on or near DOE property.

Today we areannouncing Los Alamos National Laboratory’s intention to establish a child development center for its employees.

The initial effort will focus on infant andpre-kindergarten care.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy is the Lab establishing a Child Development Center?Childcare is a key issue for improved quality of worklife and employee produc-tivity. Employees have repeatedly told Director John Browne that improved accessto childcare is a key issue for the Laboratory.

For example, a report prepared byBurud & Associates for the Lab conservatively estimated that in 1995, the Lab lost$1.5 million because of childcare-related absences of employees.Why should the Lab expend resources, time, effort, and money toimplement on- or near-site childcare?This is good business.

In 1995, the Lab lost $1.5 million dollars and more than10,000 workdays because of childcare-related issues. The Lab would benefitgreatly by minimizing future losses. Furthermore, many nonparent employeesfavor on- or near-site daycare. Potential benefits include increased productivity,attraction and retention of world-class staff, and a greatly improved workenvironment.

Why should I be in favor of Lab childcare?Leading organizations in the private and public sector have long recognized thewisdom of offering childcare. The consequent improvements in employee moraleand productivity are also widely recognized.What is planned for the Lab’s Child Development Center?Preliminary assessments indicate a need for a facility to accommodate 60 to 80children.

Twenty slots would be reserved for infants, twenty for toddlers, andtwenty to forty for 2-5 year olds and kindergartners. As this is a community-basedeffort, we anticipate community involvement in the form of partial staffing bystudent interns and partnerships with local educational institutions to offeracademic credit in early childhood education

Will there be provisions for caring for mildly ill children?We recognize that care of mildly ill children is a significant productivity issue.However, because of the special requirements necessary for such care, we are notsure whether we’ll be able to address this need in the proposed facility.

What is being done about elder-care issues, which in a rapidly agingpopulation are becoming increasingly important?This, too, is a very important issue that has not been overlooked. The Burud andAssociates Study did not address elder care, but many respondents includedcomments suggesting a present and future need for elder care. The Lab willaddress elder care in the future, as part of its quality of worklife initiatives.How will Lab childcare impact the local providers?The Lab recognizes that the implementation of an onsite or near-site daycarecenter presents real concerns for local providers.

The Lab will work with theseproviders, keeping them abreast of plans and incorporating their ideas andexpertise into the facility and program design.Who will operate the Lab’s Child Development Center?According to DOE regulations, the Lab must contract out the daycare providerservices and cannot run the center. It is hoped, however, that the Laboratory’sinvolvement in childcare will contribute yet another option for quality care in ourcommunity.Will my child be safe at this center?Yes, your child will be as safe as he/she would be at any other local childcarefacility.

The Lab will meet or exceed local, state, and federal regulations forchildcare facilities. In addition, all staff will be licensed and subject to backgroundchecks. The center will seek accreditation from the National Association for theEducation of Young Children (NAEYC) as soon as possible.How much will childcare cost?We intend for the Child Development Center to be open and affordable for allemployees.

Fee schedules will be developed to ensure this.How will this benefit the community?The Laboratory will explore partnerships with local educational institutions(University of New Mexico–Los Alamos, and the Northern New Mexico and SantaFe Community Colleges) to create training courses in child development, perhapscertifying the participants (similar to the former “nanny program” at UNM-LA).

Such training will improve the quality of childcare not only at the Lab but also forthe community at large. A portion of the workforce at the LANL Child DevelopmentCenter will include student interns.Will Laboratory contract and subcontract personnel be eligible to usethe center?Yes!When will the center open?We anticipate that the center will open in 12 to 18 months

See also Child Development 415 1 - 11