Hong Kong International Airport has opened its Airport Preschool for children of its staff.
The latest initiative from the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) has seen 46 children of staff from more than 20 companies across the airport being admitted. It aims to further create a family-friendly work environment for the airport community.
The AA has invested over HK$5m (US$6.4m) in the initial setup of the preschool, and will continue to fund support for the operation.
Jack So Chak-kwong, chairman of the AA, said, “I hope this initiative will allow employees to strike a balance between the need of working and taking care of their families, and attract more people to join the airport community.
“I also hope that we can serve as a leading role to encourage more sizeable corporations and organizations to set up similar facilities to help female employees, as well as to unleash the working potential of women in Hong Kong.”
The preschool is located on the ground floor of the Airport World Trade Center adjacent to Terminal 2, and is the first corporate-affiliated facility in Hong Kong providing care and early education services for children under the age of three.
The nursery is managed by Hong Kong Christian Service, and aims to provide a safe, healthy and warm environment for infants and toddlers. The 260-square meter facility features dedicated areas for playing, learning, eating and nursery care.
A specific room has also been created to support breastfeeding mothers and it is also the first preschool in Hong Kong to have a stationed nurse.
Stephen Sui Wait-keung, secretary for labor and welfare, commented, “The establishment of the Airport Preschool demonstrates the AA’s commitment to promoting a family-friendly work place. It is also in line with the government’s policy to unleash potential women work force through enhancing child care services.
“The government will continue to adopt multi-pronged measures such as increasing subsidized childcare places and strengthening the extended hours service as well as encouraging corporations to establish work-based childcare centers just like the AA’s.”
Emily Chan Yuen-man, principal of the airport preschool, added, “We have recruited professional educational and childcare staff to run the preschool. Also, our staff-to-child ratio surpasses the requirements by laws. We hope that the infants and children will have a pleasant and enjoyable time with us.”