Ethical Supply Chain Program Celebrates 10-Year Milestone

The following article is based on a press release issued by ESCP on July 17, 2025.

July 17, 2025 | The Ethical Supply Chain Program (ESCP) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Family-Friendly Spaces initiative, which has created safe, nurturing, and educational childcare environments for nearly 10,000 children of supply chain workers since its launch in 2016.

Originally piloted at two factories in China, the program was developed in response to research identifying a lack of childcare as the top reason workers left their jobs. Since then, the initiative has grown significantly, with 95 employer-funded childcare spaces now established across factory campuses and communities in China and Vietnam. These spaces operate either year-round or during school holidays, so parents can work without concern for their children’s safety.

In 2025, the program expanded into Vietnam with the opening of its first childcare facility in the region, accommodating about 30 children. Since 2024, more than 1,200 workers and their families have benefited from Family Days and related employer-supported programs in the country. Organizers expect the Vietnam program to scale further following the success of this pilot.

According to program data collected between 2016 and 2024, 98 percent of participating workers reported their children had a safe and enjoyable place to go during school holidays, while 93 percent cited the program as a reason for staying in their current jobs. Factory managers also reported an 81 percent reduction in worker turnover rates.

Now in its largest year to date, the program will operate 59 childcare spaces in 2025 across 57 factories and two community centers, including 17 new and 42 returning sites.

“Family-Friendly Spaces is more than just a summer program – it’s a testament to what’s possible when employers, communities, and families come together,” said Carmel Giblin, President and CEO of the Ethical Supply Chain Program. “We’re proud of how far we’ve come and excited about the future as we expand our impact across Asia.”

More information about Family-Friendly Spaces is available at ethicalsupplychain.org.

The Ethical Supply Chain Program (formerly ICTI Ethical Toy Program) is a responsible sourcing program for the global toy and entertainment industry. The Toy Association™ directly funded ESCP at its founding and continues to support its work while offering its range of services to small- and mid-sized Toy Association member companies.