The project reflects the average age of company employees - 34 - and forms part of efforts to ensure that men and women enjoy equal opportunities in terms of career development. It is also consistent with the diversity charter signed by Finaref in May 2005. Located at the Roubaix offices, the new facility will be able to take up to 30 children. The crèche itself, the team that run it, and the pricing structure will all comply with the standards for public childcare facilities. The project is the fruit of a joint initiative by the HR Department, AFEJI, an association that works to promote social inclusion, the Roubaix Town Council, the Family Benefits Office and the mother and child healthcare facilities provided by the General Council of the Nord Department.

Though AFEJI has previously partnered Finaref in the context of its policy to integrate disabled workers, the association also has acknowledged expertise in meeting the needs of young children and enjoys an excellent reputation in the Nord Department. Finaref has entrusted it with managing the new crèche and with putting together the educational programme. "We want to offer a high-quality service" says Virginie Depape, who is head of workforce development at Finaref. "This initiative is part of an innovative employee relations policy aimed at delivering better quality of life in the workplace," adds Sylvie de Paris, the company’s Director of Human Resources.

*Kamali’i means "little children" in Hawaiian.

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