Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Burnaby. Childcare from the ground up
When Ritchie Bros. planned its move from Richmond, B.C. to Burnaby, it sent out extensive surveys asking staff what they wanted at the new company headquarters. One overwhelming request: on-site childcare. The company ultimately chose to build and operate the childcare centre itself, rather than outsource the operation as many companies do.
The result is a parent’s (not to mention a child’s) dream: 5,500 square feet of teeny child-sized tables, chairs, cubbies, washroom stalls, developmental toys, arts and crafts supplies, books and more – almost all made with natural materials, with very little plastic in sight. Outdoors, there is a play area with slides, ride-on toys and enormous sandbox.
The centre is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Three rooms serve children from infancy to elementary-school age. It is licensed to serve up to 49 children. The centre also operates as a day camp during the summer and on school holidays). Employees pay a subsidized rate.
When Ritchie’s new facility held its open house last year, more than one employee walking through the childcare centre was overheard telling their partner, “Okay, we can have that baby now.”
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