Summer holiday childcare a runaway success at KBC for more than 15 years
15 years of collaboration between KBC and Stekelbees
Thursday, July 27, 2017 — After a small trial run in 2002, KBC teamed up with non-profit organisation Stekelbees in 2003 to provide childcare for our employees’ children during the summer holidays. Childcare is now offered at eight different locations. Opening hours and days tie in with standard working hours and business days at KBC's main administrative office buildings. This makes it easier for KBC employees* to balance their work and family life. In 2016, 408 children aged between two and a half and twelve from 235 families enjoyed these childcare facilities. Parents pay a small fee.
This summer, KBC has teamed up again with Stekelbees to organise childcare at eight different locations. Childcare is offered to our employees' children from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. In some places, activities are also provided for teenagers up to the age of 15. To keep access to childcare as broad as possible, KBC also has use of childcare facilities provided by other employers.
Children accompany their parents to work in Brussels, Leuven and Antwerp. A bus picks them up and takes them to Stekelbees' care facilities, saving their parents from making multiple trips during rush hour traffic. It also gives children a chance to see where their parents work.
The childcare fits KBC and its opening hours and days are tied to the working hours and business days of KBC's large administrative offices. Parents no longer have to start late or leave early to collect their children from day care. KBC provides on-site spaces at our main administrative office buildings where monitors look after our employees' children before and after the activities organised by Stekelbees start and end.
These facilities were used by 235 families in 2016. 408 children were registered for a total of 3 260 childcare days. Parents pay a small fee which is partially tax-deductible; KBC pays a contribution for organisational costs. This year too, KBC is expecting to see and hear many happy and curious children at its main administrative offices while they visit their parents' place of work. This childcare is part of KBC's aim to balance work and family life. It is just one of numerous things KBC does in this regard, including ironing services, places to buy bread and gyms organising sport activities during lunch breaks.
*This Stekelbees service is available to KBC employees in Flanders and KBC Brussels staff.
