Workplace childcare initiative aims to boost productivity, retain staff

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is urging private-sector companies to set up childcare centres within their workplaces as part of a new partnership with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security aimed at improving productivity, supporting working parents, and strengthening Guyana’s early childhood development network.

The collaboration builds on the government’s Day-and-Night Care and Early Childhood Development Programme, which seeks to expand childcare access for families working extended or non-traditional hours. Guyana’s first 24-hour Day and Night Care Centre, a $93.8 million facility, opened earlier this year at Anna Catherina, Region Three. Designed to serve both day and night shift workers, it marks the beginning of a national effort to make childcare more accessible and affordable.

GCCI President Kathy Smith told Ignite News that the Chamber has been working with the Human Services Ministry to encourage greater private-sector involvement in family-friendly initiatives.

“Minister of Human Services and I would have pulled together a public-private partnership where we’re trying to piggyback on the recent development of the day-and-night care, childhood development centre. We want to ask private sector organisations to set up those centres in your business,” she said.

Smith said the Chamber’s goal is to help companies convert underused spaces into safe, licensed childcare areas that complement the government’s initiative, improving employee retention, reducing absenteeism, and fostering greater job satisfaction among working parents.

“We’re encouraging them to remove that old furniture, get a beautiful space, because what we know is that parents with young children are concerned that daycare closes early. If a company can say, ‘you don’t have to rush, we’ll help you,’ that parent will give you an extra hour or two,” Smith said.

The Ministry of Human Services, led by Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud, has indicated that more Day-and-Night Care Centres are planned for Regions Two, Four, and Six, with additional support from UNICEF to enhance early childhood resources, training, and safety standards.

Officials say the joint public-private effort could transform workplace culture across multiple sectors—from manufacturing and retail to logistics and finance—while helping Guyana build a more inclusive, family-oriented economy.