On-Site Childcare Center in Printing For Less

Printing For Less (PFL), based in Livingston, Montana, faced an issue when executive Marne Reed and several other employees gave birth at the same time. Many of these employees commuted over 30 minutes to work and struggled to return—they may have had to leave their children at daycares 30 to 40 minutes away from their jobs. This childcare issue represented a current risk to the organization and a potential future risk as more employees decided to have children.

Reed and several other employees put together a charter to start a state-licensed childcare facility near PFL’s downtown location, which was later moved to its new headquarters in 2006. The childcare center has 30 available spots for children aged zero through five, with demand for more. The center employs six licensed childcare providers and a director, who are paid $16.50 per hour. For an organization with an average age of 34.5, having a childcare center wasn’t a perk—it was a necessity.

• Start by assessing employee needs, interests, and demand through surveys or focus groups.
• Partner with a reputable childcare provider or hire qualified staff with proper certifications and experience.
• Develop clear policies for enrollment, fees, hours, and sick child protocols—be prepared to operate at a loss.
• Communicate the program's benefits and logistics to employees.
• Gather feedback regularly from participants and staff to make continuous improvements.