Bayhealth cuts ribbon at new Ann L. Burton Center for Children

Bayhealth recently hosted a ribbon-cutting event and tour at the Bayhealth Ann L. Burton Center for Children in Milford, a new, on-site childcare facility that will support Bayhealth team members and their families.

The center, which complements Bayhealth’s accredited, award-winning Kent Campus childcare center in Dover, is scheduled to open in the coming weeks. Designed to meet the realities of healthcare work, the Bayhealth Ann L. Burton Center for Children will serve more than 100 hospital team members by providing reliable, high-quality childcare for team members working demanding 12-hour shifts. Its extended hours, from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., directly address a long-standing gap in childcare availability for caregivers.

“At Bayhealth, we know that caring for our team members and clinicians extends beyond the walls of our hospitals and practices,” said Terry Murphy, FACHE, Bayhealth president and CEO. “Providing excellent childcare allows our teams to come to work with confidence, knowing their children are in a safe, nurturing and high-quality environment.”

Bayhealth’s Ann L. Burton Center for Children will operate 13 hours a day, seven days a week, serving children from infancy through age 11. The facility will employ about 25 team members and will also be available as a childcare resource for team members and their family members during emergencies.

The purpose-built facility features age-appropriate classrooms, play areas, gardens and support spaces. The center will be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, ensuring it functions as a full educational environment.

The Bayhealth Ann L. Burton Center for Children builds on decades of success; the Dover childcare program has maintained Delaware licensing in good standing for nearly 40 years and has earned recognition through the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Child Care and the Delaware Quality Award.

“Today is a celebration of what matters most – creating a place where children will learn, grow and thrive for generations to come, and supporting families, strengthening our workforce,” said Murphy.