Maricopa County offering new employee benefit to parents

PHOENIX — The state’s most populous county recently announced it’ll soon begin offering an additional benefit to parents that could help alleviate finances.

A child care facility will open in 2025 at Fifth Avenue and Madison Street exclusively for county employees and their children. Construction on the MCKids Club will begin in early 2024.

Once complete, the facility will be open for seven days a week and eventually, 24 hours a day to accommodate more employees. Children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old will be able to attend.

The announcement comes after the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved a $13 million contract with KinderCare Learning Companies to operate the future facility last week.

“Child care is a vital benefit, ranked second only to health insurance,” Dan Figurski, president of KinderCare for Employers, said in the release.

“Employers, like Maricopa County, who offer their employees flexible childcare benefits are better able to retain their current employees, attract new talent and boost productivity by reducing some of the stress that comes with finding quality childcare.”

Until construction is completed, county employees will receive a 10% discount on tuition at KinderCare facilities beginning on Nov. 1.

“Finding reliable and affordable childcare remains one of the biggest barriers to employment, particularly women,” Jen Pokorski, county manager, said in the release.

“This facility will help numerous Maricopa County families balance work and family responsibilities more effectively.”

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