Old Mutual opens a corporate crèche

The opening of a R25 million state-of-the art daycare centre by Old Mutual for the benefit of the children of its Pinelands office staff members is another example of the company’s commitment to enriching the lives of its workforce.
As an employer of o­ne of the largest workforces in the country, Old Mutual takes the well being of its workforce very seriously. Old Mutual has 8 500 staff members at Mutual Park in Pinelands Cape Town and an approximate number complement countrywide of 13 000.

The opening of the crèche is o­ne of a range of services that Old Mutual SA provides to its staff. Other benefits include reduced working hours, generous levels of life cover and the provision of a o­nsite convenience shopping centre housing a range of food outlets, a pharmacy, gift shop, hairdresser and other staff amenities.

Dudu Nyamane, Group HR Director, says the new crèche and other benefits and staff facilities are aimed at enhancing the value proposition for staff members thereby ensuring Old Mutual attracts top-notch employees and remains the employer of choice in the marketplace.

Greens’cool is a government-approved day care centre catering for 75 babies and 300 pre-school toddlers and as such is o­ne of the biggest day care centres in South Africa. The facility has been registered with the Department of Health and Welfare and with the Department of Education.

Old Mutual is committed to the preservation of the environment and has ensured that Greens’cool was designed in an environmentally friendly manner. The installation of skylights and large windows makes use of natural lighting, bathrooms have been installed with water saving technology and isotherm ceilings ensure temperature regulations. Another innovation is the provision of a nappy disposal facility at the crèche, which will be replaced with new, sterilised bins twice a week. The décor of the centre depicts environmental themes and outside areas allow children to play in undercover landscaped areas when it rains.

Security was a key requirement and crèche staff have undergone complete security and background checks before they were hired. A comprehensive security system is in place to ensure the safety and well being of each child. Security measures include finger print technology for parents and children, an electronically monitored and controlled entrance gate, 24-hour security patrols and CCTV system with 40 high-resolution security cameras.

The centre is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm and childcare services and educational programmes are provided for babies from 3 months to Grade R children. Greens’cool will be open o­n school holidays and will provide children with interactive programmes to keep them busy. For the convenience of parents, two snacks will be provided everyday and a nutritious lunch will be catered for offering dietary options for all cultural preferences.