BOISE, Idaho — Micron Technology, semiconductor giant, held the ribbon cutting ceremony for its Early Learning Center on Thursday, Aug. 15.
The new facility is located across from the Micron Headquarters in Boise.
On Sept. 3, Micron will have 124 children of Micron employees in the child care center for education.
The tech company opened this STEM-based learning center as a part of its Idaho Community Investment Plan.
Treasure Valley Family YMCA is the major partner of the initiative. Micron looked to the well-known child care establishment for programming, design and staffing.
Micron Chief People Officer, April Arnzen, expressed that the company acted with parents in mind, as this was a concern that has been repeatedly expressed with Micron and employers all over the country, she told KTVB Thursday.
“This is such an important moment, not just for Micron and our families, but it's an important moment in the Idaho community and the Treasure Valley," Arnzen said. "We hope to inspire other employers to think about childcare differently. It's not just a problem for families to solve."
Micron received support from the government and private partners to create the learning center. It will focus not only on academic curriculum but also life skills for children.
Company officials are vocal about encouraging other companies in the state and around the country to follow suit in providing better childcare support for employees.
As one of the top employers in Idaho, Micron is evidently proud of the strides they have made for working parents.
Childcare concerns such as cost, proximity and safety are a few of the barriers that employers and employees face when recruiting talent. This is a large part of Micron’s creation of its Early Childhood Learning Center.
The organization is now focusing on early childhood ages but has expectations to expand its childcare and education programs in the future.
