Kids & Company offers flexible options for KGH parents
A Kids and Co. staff member helps a baby with some lunch time food.
Credit
Matthew Manor/KGH

Finding flexible child care can be a big challenge for those who work shifts or part-time. But thanks to Kids & Company, a nearby child care centre that partners with Kingston General Hospital, staff have a number of options to meet their needs.

"The flexibility available to us is really unheard of," says Micki Mulima, Director of Healthy Workplace Services. "We have a fully-licensed daycare that provides part-time spots for parents who donít need child care five days a week. These spots can even change week-by-week. Usually, a spot in a child care centre means paying for all five days, whether you use them or not."

The partnership between KGH and Kids & Company started just over a year ago, with guaranteed spots for anyone who works at our hospital. Located within walking distance at the corner of Wellington and Johnson streets, Kids & Company runs out of a late-19th century church that's been fully renovated and repurposed, creating friendly play areas bathed in the light of large stained glass windows.

"It's our aim to make KGH one of the best places to work," says Mulima. "To support a healthy worklife balance we know staff need resources that allow them to be at work while providing quality care for their family."

In addition, Kids & Company also offers an 'emergency' back-up care package. The package contains 15 passes that can be used at any time. This means KGH staff are able to pick up shifts, or receive child care if the need arises unexpectedly. One emergency child care package is available for each child per calendar year.

And all these options have proven invaluable for Sajida Shaikh Damji whose schedule at KGH involves shift work. "It's great to be able to take advantage of early drop-off, later pickup times and drop-in days using a backup pass. It's really been a lifesaver for my husband and I, as we are both shift workers."

If you are interested in finding out more about what Kids & Company has to offer, contact Kids & Company at 1-866-MY-KIDCO or visit their website at https://kidsandcompany.com/ca/