The PepsiCo in-house daycare center is ensuring the children of PepsiCo employees thrive while their parents, especially their mothers, continue their professional journeys
“Science tells us that a child’s experiences from conception through their first five years will go on to shape their next 50. It tells us that the kind of children we raise today, will reflect the kind of world we will live in tomorrow. It tells us that investing in the start of life is not an indulgence, but economically, socially, and psychologically vital to a prosperous society.”
These are the opening lines from the study conducted by The Royal Foundation titled “State of the Nation: Understanding Public Attitudes to the Early Years”. The guidance and insight offered by the expansive study are both uplifting and instructive. However, in Pakistan, the on-ground facts can be concerning for parents, especially women, who want to do both: provide the best care and undivided attention to their children while also continuing to be a part of the formal workforce in any capacity.
Women’s continued economic inclusion is precarious because in Pakistan it is estimated that women do more than 90% of unpaid care work, hence their ability to be in the formal workforce is disproportionately impacted. The way forward is to lift the burden from women’s shoulders and for employers to ensure they don’t let the best talent miss out on employment opportunities while trying to decide between motherhood and official duties.
The solution? Investing in a daycare setup where children of employees can safely and happily be taken care of as they get busy shattering the glass ceiling.
It takes a village, and a visionary employer
As the adage goes, it takes a village to raise a child, but in modern times, it takes a company with a vision to nurture talent despite stereotypical hurdles. PepsiCo’s decision to make an in-house daycare to provide childcare facilities was a pioneering step taken more than a decade ago. It has grown exponentially and has its own stand-alone value and impact on how the company retains top talent and also nurtures little future leaders.
“All four of my children have availed the daycare facility,” shares Madiha Mubeen, who is the Demand Planning Manager at PepsiCo. “I still remember when my first one Fatima joined daycare 9 years ago. She was just three months old. Since that day, the daycare has been like a second home and family for us. Two of my kids have graduated and 2 little ones are currently availing the facility.”
Madiha has now been associated with PepsiCo for more than 13 years and she cites the daycare facility as one of the reasons for her career stability.
“It has definitely been a strong enabling factor for me to manage work-life balance and keep working.”
The daycare facility at PepsiCo is a professionally managed child-friendly space with trained staff. They have a structured approach to ensure the children’s first social interactions are full of positive reinforcement and learning.
Asma Syed, the supervisor of the daycare, has been with PepsiCo for the past six years and has a wealth of experience in teaching and childcare. She was previously an Early Years Educator at Beaconhouse School System where she received Montessori training. Before her eight-year long experience with the school system, she was working with the United Nations as a Legal Advisor for Afghan refugee children.
According to Asma, the children have a list of activities they participate in apart from a PepsiCo-provided nutritious lunch, and nap time to keep them refreshed as well. This enhances their cognitive skills.
“The daycare is a foundational experience and what they learn here will be valid for life,” says Asma. “We instill good behaviors, love for learning, and social skills. Our children from here have gone on to get admission in top schools!”
With Asma, six other staff members are collectively taking care of the children.
Another PepsiCo employee who knows the Daycare intimately is Razia Sultana. She is the Front Desk Officer at PepsiCo and originally started off her career with the company as a daycare teacher.
“The daycare has helped me as a mother and a professional seeking progress in my career in two ways,” Razia says. “I can work with complete focus, and I am reassured that my daughter is in good hands.”
Umul Baneen Zafar, Environment, Health, and Safety Lead at PepsiCo, has a ten-month-old daughter in the daycare. She adds that PepsiCo’s company-wide Environment Health and Safety standards are also implemented in the daycare, hence making it one of the safest places to have your child in as you work.
While the women employees of PepsiCo hold the Daycare in high regard, it has similarly created a big impact on the lives of some of the male employees who are also fathers. As they avail the facility, they are subtly becoming aware of the fact that the responsibility of childcare should be shared between partners so women can thrive professionally. It has also made them realize how important and essential the daycare facility is.
One of the fathers utilizing the daycare is Abdul Qudoos Ahmad, Head of Facilities Management at PepsiCo. His three-year-old daughter regularly attends the daycare. His wife, Maryam Tariq, is the Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Nishat Sütas. She shares that she took a three-year-long career break when her daughter was born and couldn’t imagine going back to work without a facility like this. Now, since her daughter comes to the PepsiCo daycare, she has recently joined her organization in a senior role and has peace of mind to focus on her job.
“I wish there was a facility like this at my workplace, but the PepsiCo daycare is excellent. As a parent, I am always welcomed to participate in different activities the daycare staff organizes. The level of trust and comfort is priceless,” she says.
There are multiple lessons that have been learnt by PepsiCo employees through the provision of the daycare facility. Those who didn’t have children or had them over the course of their employment are benefitting from the space just as much as those who chose to join PepsiCo because of the facility, leaving their other jobs – or career sabbaticals - behind.