Day Care for Ailing Child

Transamerica Life Cos. has just opened an experimental day-care center in downtown Los Angeles for employees whose children are under the weather.

Thought to be the first corporate pilot program of its kind in the country, the day-care facility was established to combat no-shows among workers who would otherwise have to stay home if their children were ill.

Transamerica officials estimate that they lose $150,000 a year through this kind of absenteeism.

Called Supercare for Kids, the program was formed in partnership with the California Medical Center-Los Angeles, a major hospital and health-care company that will supervise the children nearby while the parents are at work.

Day-care staffers include a pediatric nurse, other health-care professionals and bilingual aides. The day-care center is meant to treat children who have mild illnesses only, such as colds or earaches.

Transamerica estimates that the day-care operation will cost the company about $180,000 a year to operate. Parents whose children use the 15-bed facility will pay $10 for the first day and $5 for subsequent visits.

Transamerica employs nearly 4,100 people at its downtown headquarters and so far about 60 have shown an interest, company officials say. The center has been in operation for a little more than a week.

“It has been used by a few people,” one company official said, but so far “there has not been an overwhelming response.”