‘They’re growing up here at the resort’: Mt. Bachelor day care now year-round, with reduced rates for employees

(Update: Adding video, comments from employee and President John Merriman)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Mt. Bachelor announced Wednesday that effective immediately, its day care service will be open year-round, catering to both employees and visitors to the resort and the Cascade Lakes area.

"This initiative underscores Mt. Bachelor's commitment to enhancing the overall experience for families visiting the area, while supporting employees with consistent on-site child care services," the resort's announcement said.

They're also responding to a demand for day care on the mountain - for guests and employees 

Worker Presley Quon said Thursday, "As a mountain employee, a lot of us don't work traditional weekends. And it can be really hard to find day care in town. So having the option to bring our kids and babies up here is amazing."

Quon has been using the program for her daughter since it started in December.

"It's so important, not only for the logistics, but creating these memories with our kids and bringing them to the mountain every day," she said. "They're growing up here at the resort, which is so special."

Mt. Bachelor President and General Manager John Merriman said about 10 employees currently use the service, and it's open to the public on a drop-in basis. 

"Whether we are open to the public or not was kind of a crucial thing," he said, "because, you know, what you don't want is to have part-time day care -- then you're scrambling for other days."

The cost of care for eight hours to the public runs about $130 a day, with employees getting subsidized reduced rates at $250 for seven full days.

 "We have a lot of young, young parents, with young children, who it really is a relief to them not to have to search all over again for day care as well as, pay pretty steep prices in town," Merriman said.

For guests using the slopes in the winter or biking in the summer, the day care offers convenience. For management on the mountain, it's a step towards retaining employees.  

Quon said, "It's been pretty fun to have my baby and spend that time with her on the commute, because otherwise, sometimes an eight-hour day turns into a 10-hour day with our commute. So being able to spend that time together is really special."

Here's the rest of Mt. Bachelor's news release:

In past years, Mt. Bachelor day care has been open in the winter and closed in the summer. The decision to expand day care services is the resort leadership team’s response to the critical need for reliable, affordable child care programs in Central Oregon.

With the growing popularity of Mt. Bachelor’s summer activities such as the downhill Bike Park and Zip Tours, expanded child care services will ensure that families have reliable, enriching options for their younger children and babies while they get their adrenaline fix.

"Offering year-round day care aligns with our mission to deliver memorable experiences and enhance peoples’ lives,” said John Merriman, President and General Manager of Mt. Bachelor. “Our guests love the ease and convenience of having a day care facility on the slopes, and many of our employees rely on our day care to balance their work responsibilities and their family’s needs.”

Currently, the day care facility is open seven days a week from 8:00am to 3:45pm. Starting April Monday, 22, when the resort transitions to spring operating hours, day care will close to guests at 1:30pm. Summer day care hours for both employees and guests will be 9:00am to 5:00pm and will go into effect when the resort reopens on June 27, conditions permitting.

For more information about Mt. Bachelor's year-round day care services, including enrollment and pricing details, please visit Mountain Services | Daycare Center at Mt. Bachelor (mtbachelor.com).