The newly expanded center provides on-site child care for children until they are ready to start kindergarten
Ventura, Calif. – Patagonia’s Reno distribution, repair and customer service center has grown to nearly 500 employees, and so has demand for on-site childcare services. This week, Patagonia celebrated the grand opening of its newly expanded Truckee River Child Development Center (TRCDC) with an event featuring Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Patagonia’s president and CEO Rose Marcario, and Patagonia’s VP of public engagement, Rick Ridgeway.
Patagonia has been invested in on-site child care at its Ventura headquarters since 1983 and continues to report a number of benefits, including more women in management positions, nearly 100 percent of new moms returning to work after taking maternity leave, improved productivity and an extremely positive workplace culture. In addition to offering on-site child care, Patagonia supports its employees with fully paid medical benefits for full time and part time workers, subsidized organic meals served in the on-site café and an onsite exercise space.
The cost of the program to parents is based on the market rate for Reno and subsidies are offered to employees based on income. Ninety-one percent of the program costs to the company are directly recouped through tax benefits and employee retention and engagement.
“At Patagonia, we will continue to advocate for working families and provide important benefits to our employees,” said Rose Marcario, president and CEO of Patagonia. “I couldn’t be more excited to bring this program to Reno. Our Reno employees will have access to an incredible resource that we hope will strengthen families and local communities.”
“I applaud Patagonia for its leadership in the campaign to change workplace norms and ease the burden of childcare costs on working parents,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Too often, many working parents are faced with a difficult dilemma: they must either pay exceedingly high child care costs or leave the workforce to stay home with their kids. Parents should have the freedom and flexibility to make the choices that are right for them, and initiatives like the Patagonia Truckee River Child Development Center go a long way to bring our workplaces into the 21st century. They allow working moms and dads to continue doing what they love with the peace of mind that, during working hours, their kids are being cared for in a safe, supportive environment.”
In a proclamation from the City of Reno, Mayor Hillary Schieve recognized the contributions of Patagonia to the Reno community. “Whereas since 1983 Patagonia illustrates what quality child care looks like and why providing on-site child care to working families is at the heart of responsible business; and whereas, Patagonia’s model sets a standard that both the private and public sector should aspire to for the benefit of our children; and whereas, the City of Reno is thrilled to welcome the Truckee River Child Development Center at Patagonia to our region.”
TRCDC provides on-site child care services to Patagonia’s Reno employees with two classrooms that can accommodate up to 24 children from infant through preschool. Patagonia employs eight early childhood education teachers to keep the student to teacher ratio low and Spanish immersion is an integral part of the program.
The 8,000 square foot LEED-certified space was previously the home of Patagonia’s Reno Outlet Store for 11 years. In November 2016, Patagonia relocated the outlet store to a new downtown location to make room for the child care expansion.
The Truckee River Child Development Center program is based on a proven 34-year education model that includes Patagonia’s GPCDC/TRCDC Cornerstones:
· Children, families, and teachers are the core of our community
· All children learn and develop at a predictable yet highly individual pace.
· Teachers create predictable yet flexible routines, stimulating environments and opportunities for intentional teaching
· Risk taking and struggle build character and confidence
· Children who play outdoors for long, uninterrupted periods of time develop strong connections with nature.
· Child initiated play and creative expression fosters ingenuity and enhances all areas of development.
Press Contacts:
Corley Kenna: Corley.Kenna@patagonia.com
Tessa Byars: Tessa.Byars@patagonia.com
Corey Simpson: Corey.Simpson@patagonia.com
About Patagonia
Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, Patagonia is an outdoor apparel company based in Ventura, California. A certified B-Corporation, Patagonia’s mission is to build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis. The company is recognized internationally for its commitment to authentic product quality and environmental activism, contributing $82 million in grants and in-kind donations to date.