How do you solicit and incorporate employee feedback and suggestions to improve a childcare discount program?

1 Assess your current program

To evaluate your existing childcare discount program, you can use various methods to collect data, such as surveys, focus groups, interviews, or analytics. You can ask questions such as how many employees are eligible and enrolled in the program, how much it costs the employer and the employee, what types of childcare providers and services are covered by the program, how satisfied employees are with the quality, accessibility, and affordability of the program, and what are the main challenges or barriers that employees face when using the program. This will help you identify its strengths and weaknesses.

2 Identify your goals and priorities

The next step is to define your goals and priorities for improving your childcare discount program. It's important to align them with your organizational strategy, values, and culture, as well as with the expectations and needs of your employees. You may want to consider increasing employee engagement and productivity, enhancing employee well-being and diversity, supporting career development and advancement, reducing employee stress and absenteeism, and attracting top talent in a competitive market. All of these goals can help you create a successful program that benefits both your employees and organization.

3 Explore your options and alternatives

Exploring your options and alternatives for enhancing your childcare discount program is the third step. You can research best practices, benchmarks, and trends in your industry and sector, as well as consult with experts, vendors, or partners. Some of the possibilities you may want to consider include expanding the eligibility and enrollment criteria, increasing the amount or percentage of the discount or subsidy, offering more flexibility and choice in the type, location, and schedule of childcare, providing additional benefits or services such as backup care or emergency care, and partnering with other organizations or networks to leverage resources and economies of scale.

4 Solicit and incorporate feedback and suggestions

The fourth step is to solicit and incorporate feedback and suggestions from your employees on your proposed changes or improvements to your childcare discount program. You can use various channels and platforms to communicate, engage, and listen to your employees, ranging from online surveys, polls, or forums to town hall meetings, webinars, or workshops. Additionally, you may consider feedback boxes, suggestion cards, emails, employee committees, representatives, or champions as well as performance reviews, appraisals, or check-ins.