Diversity works – day-care centre in Brussels sets a good example

Elmer, a day-care centre in Brussels, shows us that diversity at the workplace works. Elmer has a diverse, multi-lingual workforce with varying ethnic backgrounds.  

EME project members visited Elmer in Brussels in December and considered it a good example of diversity management and inclusion. Elmer also provided good learning opportunities for unemployed mothers without vocational qualifications. 

Elmer strives to increase the well-being, social opportunities and participation of families and children by organizing a community service that offers Dutch-speaking, low-threshold, quality childcare in Brussels. Training and employment of staff members from disadvantaged groups are an integral part of organisation’s function.  

Adjusting services to the needs of the people  

Elmer wants everyone, from employee to parents, to feel like a part of their organisation. The participation and involvement of every person enriches the organisation. 

Photo: Lander Loeckx

Elmer adjusts its services to the needs and reflections that are made by the staff, children, parents, and neighbourhood. Although a tailor-made service seems quite normal, the reality is often different:  

“At Elmer, we adjust our operation to the needs of the people. It was the first time I had that feeling. I grew up in Brussels, but as a child I felt different. There were general rules, but I always had the feeling they didn’t apply to me. We were outsiders. I never had the experience in my childhood that something became adapted to my/our needs. I experienced this for the first time at Elmer. For example, a child who is struggling with something. Then the employees of Elmer have the attitude to see how they can meet that specific need." – Elmer employee 

Training unemployed women into qualified day-care workers 

In order to make childcare services accessible for everyone, Elmer has embedded inclusion deeply in their organisation and staff. The diverse workforce reflects the quality and low-threshold of the service.  

Elmer invests in inclusiveness in many ways. One way is to train long-term unemployed women without vocational qualifications into qualified day-care workers.  

Thanks to employment contracts, which are subsidised by the National Employment office and Employment service of Brussels, more than 60 women have graduated as childcare workers at Elmer since 1996. Due to the contract women can successfully combine work with their study. Elmer supports their employees, offers them trainings, and challenges them with developing possibilities.  

Elmer recently celebrated the 20-year service of an employee who started as a day-care worker-in-training and is currently one of the branch managers:” I have always felt that learning, following training courses, questioning yourself, questioning your work, improving your work… that it is second nature here! I have felt this from the first day. Working is associated with learning.” - Elmer employee

These are some of the key elements that different EME project members should consider when developing their projects: 

• Diversity at every level of your organisation is key. 
• Foster neighbourhood connection and engagement. 
• Respect diversity and individuality. 
• Believe in the positive development opportunities of every individual. 
• Offer qualitative language and learning support in the working place.
• Provide childcare for participants while they are working and learning.  

Kamille De Backer, EVA bxl