Micron Enhances Child Care Access with New Early Learning Facility and TOOTRiS Partnership

Micron Technology, a global leader in semiconductors, has taken a significant step to improve Child Care access for its employees and the broader Boise community. At a recent press conference, Micron announced the launch of a state-of-the-art early learning facility. In addition, Micron is marking a pivotal collaboration with TOOTRiS, a leading tech-enabled Child Care platform. The event, held at Micron’s Boise campus, was attended by Idaho Governor Brad Little and Boise Mayor Lauren McLean, who both underscored the importance of accessible Child Care in supporting working families and strengthening the local economy.

A Landmark Initiative for Micron and the Community

The new early learning facility represents a major investment by Micron in its employees and the local community. Designed to accommodate 124 children, the center aims to provide high-quality, affordable Child Care that aligns with the needs of working parents. By partnering with TOOTRiS, Micron is expanding access beyond the facility to the entire Boise Child Care community, enabling parents flexibility to find additional care options that fit their specific family needs, work schedules, or location, making it easier for them to balance work and family responsibilities.

“We had been hearing feedback from our team for many years that finding Child Care is really important to them,” says Marni McDowell, Senior Director of Global Well Being at Micron. “This certainly can’t meet the need of every single family in the Micron population, just because we can never build a facility of that sizes, be we also know that families have different preferences and what works best for them, how they manage their families and their kids, and this is just one resource.” Partnering with TOOTRiS provides access to many more Child Care resources throughout the community.

“I’m proud of Micron’s comprehensive approach to workforce development and our work to make childcare accessible and affordable for our employees,” said April Arnzen, Chief People Officer at Micron Technology and President of the Micron Foundation. “We recognize that there are systemic barriers to workforce entry and re-entry, including Child Care services, which is why we are focused on providing Child Care options that support and expand the workforce, and benefits the broader community.”

The Role of TOOTRiS and Technological Innovation in Child Care

TOOTRiS is at the forefront of revolutionizing Child Care through technology. The platform connects parents with a network of Child Care providers, offering a seamless experience that includes on-demand scheduling, payment processing, and detailed provider profiles including showing real-time availability up to 12-momnths in advance. For Micron employees, this partnership means access to a flexible Child Care solution that can be tailored to their unique needs based on the age of their children, and whether they require full-time, part-time, after-school, or drop-in Child Care services.

“At TOOTRiS, our mission is to make Child Care accessible, affordable, and convenient for all families,” said Alessandra Lezama, CEO of TOOTRiS. “Partnering with Micron is a significant step towards achieving that goal, as we bring our innovative platform to one of the most influential companies across the country and the tech industry. Together, we’re setting a new standard for what Child Care can look like in the 21st century.”

Government Support and the CHIPS Act Child Care Requirement

The presence of Idaho Governor Brad Little and Boise Mayor Lauren McLean at the announcement underscores the broader significance of Micron’s initiative. Both leaders highlighted the critical role of Child Care in economic development and workforce stability, particularly in the context of the CHIPS Act.

The CHIPS Act, passed in 2022, aims to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing and innovation. A key provision of the act is the requirement for companies receiving federal funding to demonstrate how they will support workforce needs, including providing access to Child Care. Micron’s new facility not only fulfills this requirement, it sets a precedent for other companies in the industry.

“Idaho is made stronger when businesses and their employees are supported, and we remove barriers to their success,” said Idaho Governor Brad Little. “Idaho has made historic investments in education, workforce training, Child Care and other infrastructure, and our commitment to Idaho families is complemented by the steps Micron is taking to strengthen our communities and our state.” He added, “It’s the right thing to do for world-class competitiveness, for this country, for this company, but it’s the right thing to do for families.”

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean encouraged other companies to seek out similar opportunities. “There is so much more we can do in this community to follow the lead of [Micron] in creating a Child Care facility like this,” McLean said. “It was just two years ago that President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act, and in that time, so much has happened in this community to grow opportunity.”

McLean touted Boise’s “creative” approach to supporting Child Care, such as waiving licensing fees for facilities and creating tax rebates for in-home Child Care facilities. “(Child Care) is a big part of how we secure the workforce we need, so that companies here can thrive.”

YMCA’s Role in the New Early Learning Center

The new facility will be operated in collaboration with the Treasure Valley Family YMCA, an organization with deep roots in the Boise community and a long-standing commitment to providing high-quality Child Care and early education. The YMCA will bring its expertise in child development to the center, ensuring that children receive nurturing, educational care in a safe environment.

“Together, we have supported children and families, taught them skills, technology, life skills, helping kids become lifelong learners. This center is just the next step in that great partnership,” said David Duro, president and CEO of the Treasure Valley Family YMCA. “It’s a very hard business. People don’t always recognize or acknowledge that it’s a hard business…the most important resource of this center is a dedicated, caring and professional staff. We want to turn out great human beings.”

The YMCA’s involvement ensures that the center will not only meet but exceed the highest standards of early childhood education. The curriculum will be designed to foster cognitive, social, and emotional development, with a focus on preparing children for future academic success.

A Model for the Future

Micron’s new early learning facility and partnership with TOOTRiS set a new standard for corporate investment in Child Care. As companies across the United States grapple with how to support their workforce in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing labor shortages, Micron’s initiative offers a model for how to do so effectively and sustainably.

As the semiconductor industry continues to grow, the need for innovative solutions to workforce challenges will only become more pressing. Micron’s proactive approach, combined with the technological capabilities of TOOTRiS and the educational expertise of the YMCA, positions the company as a leader not only in technology but also in supporting the needs of its employees and their families.

In a time when access to quality Child Care is more important than ever, Micron’s investment in its workforce and community is a powerful reminder of the role that companies can play in shaping the future of work and family life.