Capital’s in-company creche celebrates extension

Wellington’s only company crèche, that’s staffed and managed in-house, has opened its doors to more children following a newly approved outdoor extension.

minimee playschool, the brainchild of phil&teds’ Executive Director - people, culture & brands, Laura Ming-Wong, and Chief Executive, Campbell Gower, currently cares for 18 next generation phil&teds heads - a mix of part and full time enrollments.

The Ministry of Education recently approved the expansion, allowing the centre to welcome a potential 10 new pre-schoolers per week; a total of 14 full time equivalent kids at any one time.

Mr Gower says the idea of minimee began in 2013, following the successful development of a school holiday programme. Two years later, the playschool was established to cover pre-schoolers with a goal to support staff in their careers and parenting journeys.

“Our organisation’s philosophies are to adapt&survive and live life without limit. We can’t expect customers to believe in that unless they truly believe in us as a company.

“That’s part of minimee - helping parents fulfil that need to balance work and family life. Keeping families happy and connected, while ensuring parents retain a sense of self... because it’s not all about the baby, baby!”

Subsidised by the company, minimee includes a team of five teachers offering low adult to child ratios, ensuring quality care is given.

Mr Gower says “being just downstairs from the main office allows mums and dads to pop down for a visit, be it for some inspiration, or to help with emergency colouring in.”

Employee and mother of two, Melissa Zgomba, says the option of minimee made returning to work following maternity leave so much easier.

“It’s certainly a big draw card - knowing that my daughter is just downstairs, and that I can visit her during the day, is really comforting too.”

Minimee currently holds a probationary Early Childhood Education and Care Centre license, with an aim of being fully licensed by December 2016.