We Need More Creche Services at Events

The Nigerian event space is evolving and one of the additions to that metamorphosis is the adoption and use of Creche services at events.

Personally, I have not used the service at any of my events YET but I feel it is a great service that would create an inclusive and safe space for career mothers and other parents attending events in Nigeria.

While it is not yet a trend, widespread or standardized practice in Nigeria, some corporate event organizers and managers have adopted and utilized this practice to create an inclusive and comfortable environment for parents at events.

I feel more event organizers and managers should be more accommodating of this particular service in their budgets for attending parents but also for the comfort of other attendees. This will ensure that the event goes hitch free without children running around altering the flow of the event, disturbing other attendees or the cry of a baby interrupting a speech.

Creches at events can have several advantages and disadvantages. Let's explore the pros and cons:

Pros of Creches at Events

Convenience for Parents:

With a event creche service, parents can enjoy the ease and convenience of being a parent and a event guest at the same time without worrying about their children's care. It allows them to participate in the event, network, and engage fully, knowing that their children are in a safe and supervised environment.

Increased Event Attendance:

By providing a creche, event organizers can attract a larger audience, get that sensational tech guru who is a mother to speak at their event and other parents who might have otherwise been unable to attend due to childcare responsibilities. This can result in increased attendance and a more diverse and inclusive event.

Enhanced Participant Event Experience:

Attendees with children can fully focus on the event's content, networking, and activities, knowing that their children are being well taken care of with their safety and welfare assured. This improves the overall participant experience and satisfaction.

Professional Childcare:

Most Creches hire professionals who are great with children but most importantly people who are professional caregivers who have experience in working with children. This ensures that children receive quality care, engage in appropriate activities, and are supervised by trained individuals.

Networking Opportunity for Parents:

Creches can provide an opportunity for parents to connect and network with other attendees who have children. It creates a supportive community and allows parents to share experiences and build relationships.

Cons of Creches at Events

Cost: Hiring a third-party creche service or staffing a creche can be expensive for event organizers. Childcare needs are insatiable. There are costs associated with hiring qualified staff, providing suitable and comfortable facilities, and ensuring safety and security measures are in place. These costs may need to be passed on to parents using the creche service, which can be a financial burden for some.

Parental Trust and Confidence: Some parents may have concerns about leaving their children in the care of others, particularly if they are unfamiliar with the creche staff or have had negative experiences in the past. In a world where child exploitation, child abuse and sexual abuse is rampant, one cannot be too cautious. A creche can be a breeding ground to these aforementioned moral and societal deficiencies. Building trust and confidence among parents is crucial for the success of a creche at an event.

Space Constraints: Depending on the event venue, there may be limitations on available space for a creche. This can impact the capacity and ability to accommodate all children who may require childcare services.

Special Needs Children: Children with special needs need special care which may be a problem. A typical professional event creche service may not be equiped to cater for the needs of children with ADHD, dyslexia or children with other cognitive or physical disability.

Different Needs and Preferences: Children have varying needs and preferences, and it can be challenging to cater to all of them within a creche setting. Accommodating children with special dietary requirements, allergies, or specific care instructions can be demanding for the creche staff.

Limited Availability: Creches may only be available during specified hours or for certain types of events. This can restrict parents' flexibility and attendance options, especially if the event extends beyond the creche's operating hours.

While these cons are daunting and can cause a double-think, they can be alleviated with careful planning and research by event organizers and managers to ensure a secure, nurturing, comfortable and inclusive environment for children, their parents and other event attendees.

Is there anything I missed?

Do you agree with my submissions or is there anything you would like to add?

I am Oluwatobi Fisayo-Otapo and I am the founder and Event Manager at IContact Events.

We are an event management company offering services in event planning, event coordination and event consulting. We specialize in creating customized experiences for our clients and their guests.