11.8 Establish a childcare benefits policy that offers facilities (e.g., crèche or nursery) or provides monetary assistance with childcare arrangements
Content
Description of Best Practices
Conduct an analysis to determine what assistance most meets employee needs, with data disaggregated by sex and office site location
Offer childcare benefits that could include the following:
- On-site day care (e.g., crèche or nursery)
- Childcare subsidies
- Dependent care assistance programs that allow employees to deduct day care expenses from their paycheck on a pre-tax basis
- Backup childcare that provides employees with last-minute assistance in emergency or unexpected circumstances
- Flexible work schedules
- Childcare center discounts
Conduct a forecast of financial benefits to determine the option that best meets the needs of all stakeholders
Implement the option that best meets (most of) the needs of stakeholder groups
Challenges of Implementation
The cost of onsite childcare facilities, staffing, and maintenance costs may not be financially feasible, especially in companies with multiple office and work sites
Regional offices may be located in places with few or no childcare facilities nearby
What Success Looks Like
Childcare facilities, monetary assistance, or a combination of the two are adopted
Parents use childcare options provided
Care facilities are maintained for safety and comfort
Care facility staff are professionally trained in childcare
Resources and Tools
Guide (incl. Additional Resources and Toolkit): Tackling Childcare: A Guide for Employer-Supported Childcare (IFC)
Guide: Guideline for Childcare Facilities in the Public Service (Department of Public Service and Administration South Africa)