Circles partners with Babilou Family US to expand childcare access for working families

Waltham, MA — Circles, a Sodexo company and leader in workplace hospitality and employee support services, today announced a new partnership with Babilou Family US that gives eligible employees of participating Circles clients access to preferred childcare benefits through their employer’s Circles program.

Through the partnership, eligible employees will have access to priority enrollment and preferred tuition rates at participating Babilou Family US early education schools, including Little Sprouts, Heartworks Early Education, Building Blocks Early Learning Center, and First Chapters Preschool.

Connecting employees with support that matters in everyday life

For working parents, finding quality, accessible and affordable childcare can be one of the most significant challenges in managing work and family responsibilities. Childcare needs can influence where people work, how they structure their schedules and their ability to stay focused when they are at work.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has identified childcare as a workforce issue, noting that the high cost and scarcity of childcare options remain a persistent barrier for parents to fully participate in the workforce.

The new partnership reinforces Circles' holistic approach to employee support: connecting people with practical resources that address the realities of their lives outside the workplace.

"Babilou Family and Circles share a commitment to supporting working families with resources that have a meaningful impact on their everyday lives," said Lee Galbraith, President & CEO of Babilou Family US. "Through this partnership, we're able to connect more families with our early education programs while providing benefits that can make quality childcare more accessible and affordable."

Supporting the whole employee experience

Circles has spent more than 25 years helping organizations support employees through workplace hospitality, employee concierge and work-life support services. Its network of more than 1,000 partners connects members with resources across areas such as childcare, home services, travel, wellness and everyday life.

The company's approach is grounded in a simple idea: employee experience extends beyond what happens during the workday.

"People bring their whole lives to work," said Jessica Stanton, Vice President of Account Management, Circles U.S. "When an employee is navigating a personal need, trying to solve a childcare challenge or manage a family responsibility, that can compete for the same time and attention they need at work. Our role is to help connect them with practical resources, so they can spend less energy navigating those challenges on their own."

The partnership expands the resources available to eligible employees while giving participating employers another way to support employees' evolving needs across work, family and everyday life.

As employers continue to evaluate the value of employee benefits and support programs, partnerships like this can help organizations address real workforce challenges without requiring them to build and administer every solution themselves.

About Babilou Family US

Babilou Family US is part of Babilou Family, one of the largest global networks of early childhood education providers. Since 2003, the organization has focused on building the foundation for lifelong learning through play-based, discovery-driven early education that nurtures social-emotional development and a love of learning. In the United States, its network includes Little Sprouts (Massachusetts & New Hampshire), First Chapters Preschool (Massachusetts), Building Blocks Early Learning Center (Connecticut), and Heartworks Early Education (Vermont & Massachusetts), each guided by shared standards and a commitment to quality, safety, and partnership with families.