Reno, NV – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today attended the official opening of the Patagonia Truckee River Child Development Center, an onsite day-care designed to meet the needs of the nearly 500 employees working in Patagonia’s Reno-based distribution, repair, and customer service center. Cortez Masto participated in the grand opening alongside Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario and toured the facility.
“I applaud Patagonia for its leadership in the campaign to change workplace norms and ease the burden of childcare costs on working parents,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Too often, many working parents are faced with a difficult dilemma: they must either pay exceedingly high child care costs or leave the workforce to stay home with their kids. Parents should have the freedom and flexibility to make the choices that are right for them, and initiatives like the Patagonia Truckee River Child Development Center go a long way to bring our workplaces into the 21st century. They allow working moms and dads to continue doing what they love with the peace of mind that, during work hours, their kids are being cared for in a safe, supportive environment.”
“At Patagonia, we will continue to advocate for working families and provide important benefits our employees,” said Rose Marcario, president and CEO of Patagonia. “I couldn’t be more excited to bring this program to Reno. Our Reno employees will have access to an incredible resource that we hope will strengthen families and local communities. And just as we do in Ventura, those of us without kids will enjoy the sound of children playing around the workplace.”
To take advantage of the services available at the childcare site in Reno, employees will pay the market rate and receive subsidies based on income level. Since 1983, Patagonia has sponsored a similar facility in its Ventura, California, headquarters. This facility is a key contributor to Patagonia’s ability to retain women in senior leadership and ensure that nearly 100% of moms return to work after taking maternity leave.
About the Truckee River Child Development Center (TRCDC):
The TRCDC provides onsite child care services to Patagonia’s Reno employees with two classrooms that can accommodate up to 33 children ages from newborn care to kindergarten. Patagonia employees nine early childhood education teachers to keep the student to teacher ratio low and Spanish immersion is an integral part of the program.
The 8,000 square foot LEED-certified space was previously the home of Patagonia’s Reno Outlet Store for over 10 years. In November 2016, Patagonia relocated the outlet store to a new downtown location to make room for the child care expansion.
The TRCDC program is based on a proven 34-year education model that includes Patagonia’s GPCDC/TRCDC Cornerstones:
- Children, families, and teachers are the core of our community
- All children learn and develop at a predictable yet highly individual pace.
- Teachers create predictable yet flexible routines, stimulating environments and opportunities for intentional teaching
- Risk taking and struggle build character and confidence
- Children who play outdoors for long, uninterrupted periods of time develop strong connections with nature.
- Child initiated play and creative expression fosters ingenuity and enhances all areas of development.