On Monday, January 19, Bayhealth held a ribbon cutting for the Ann Burton Center for Children on their Bayhealth Sussex Campus. The center will offer daycare services to Bayhealth staff.
“From the beginning, this center was shaped around how children learn best, through play, exploration and meaningful relationships,” Director Brenda Kibler, said. “It will also support the needs of our working families. Our goal is simple and important: to provide outstanding childcare that gives Bayhealth team members and the clinicians reassurance throughout the day, knowing that their children are safe, engaged and well cared for.”
The center will accommodate up to 102 children, a number that the center is already close to reaching. The building is designed for expansion should the center need capacity for more children.
The cost of the $1.7 million building was offset by donations, including a large donation from Charlie Burton, President of I.G. Burton Auto Group, in his mother, Ann’s, memory. Ann Burton was a pillar of the Milford community and many in the area feel naming the center for her is an honor.
“It was a meaningful way to spend Martin Luther King Day, investing in the future of our children and communities,” a Bayhealth social media post read. “We are grateful to Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay for believing in this vision, the Burton family and many of you for making it possible.”
Evans Gay also commented about the event on social media.
“The ribbon cutting of the Bayhealth Ann L. Burton Center for Children, which offers high-quality childcare for their Sussex Campus Bayhealth Hospital employees, demonstrates bold strides we are taking to expand access to early education in the First State,” her official Facebook page, read. “Investments like this emphasize the value of a strong early education system, which not only best prepares our youngest learners, but is a critical part of the solution to address our workforce challenges. Advancing an early education system that best meets the needs of our children, families and providers remains a top priority and I’m proud to witness the work happening throughout Delaware to uplift this shared vision.”
It was not announced when the center would be open for services, but Bayhealth indicated it would be soon.
