As an employer, one of your greatest challenges is to see your business benefit from the best your employees have to offer. Research shows that business leaders who invest in child care see increased recruitment and productivity, lowered turnover and absenteeism, and a positive impact on their public image. Workers with more supportive workplaces and reasonable job demands experience less negative spillover from home, less job burnout, less stress, and more effective coping, which in turn promote better performance on the job (Families and Work Institute, 1998).

More and more, employers are developing programs and policies to reduce the stresses of balancing work and family commitments. This effort is not simply a frill to offer in good times—it makes good business sense.

Investing in New York: An Economic Analysis of the Early Care and Education Sector is a collaborative study produced by the New York State Child Care Coordinating Council.  The report explains the impact of the early care and education on New York State’s social and economic infrastructure.

How you can support your employees

There are a wide variety of child care supports and benefits businesses may offer their employees. Some can be done within your company and others involve a wider community initiative. Many can be implemented with little or no cost to your company.  These options include:

	Provide Information
	Flex-Time and Leave Policies
	Provide Financial Assistance
	Creating and Supporting Services
	Benefits Calculator

Providing Information
This includes: a Child Care Resource and Referral Service or Workplace Parenting Seminars:

Low cost
Addresses the child care needs for all ages
Can be implemented by any size company and in multiple locations

Flex-Time and Leave Policies
This includes: flexible scheduling, job sharing, part-time options, use of sick leave for family illness and parental leave.

Minimal investment with big payoff
Assists with recruitment and retention
Potential to reduce absenteeism
Improves morale and productivity

Providing Financial Assistance
This includes: a dependent care assistance plan, flexible benefit plans and child care subsidies.

Can be implemented by any size company
Requires little administrative responsibility
No large start-up costs

Creating and Supporting New Services
This includes: on-site or near-site child care centers, back-up or odd-hour care, summer day camp and holiday care.

A way to address specific needs in a community
Cuts absenteeism and improves morale
An effective recruitment tool
Hours of programs can be tailored to employees’ needs

Benefits Calculator

By filling out a simple form, your employees will be provided with an immediate estimate of any local scholarships, tax credits or child care subsidies they may qualify for. Try the Benefits Calculator. Coming soon.