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The Gordon Memorial Hospital District Board of Directors approved all agenda items presented during the May 30^th, 2023, board meeting. Most noteworthy on the new business agenda included discussion on opening a childcare center and the application submission for grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Business and Child Care Partnership Grant to renovate space for the childcare center. The requested funds will be used to remodel the assisted living space that is attached to Gordon Countryside Care.

During new business, Chief Executive Officer Megan Heath shared “The idea of providing childcare to staff is not new; however, the demand continues to significantly increase in Sheridan County.”  Heath added, “The initial internal leadership discussion to provide childcare was focused on recruitment due to the workforce shortage issues we are facing. That idea quickly advanced to include a retention strategy with a much shorter implementation timeline due to some of the changes in our community.”

In the short few days since the Board of Directors approval to open a childcare center, members of the leadership team have worked diligently to complete submission for the Nebraska DHHS Business and Child Care Partnership Grant. The hospital requested $130,500 to renovate the assisted living space to meet childcare facility regulations. The center will be owned and operated by the hospital, named “Busy Bees Childcare Center.” The center will be licensed with the state of Nebraska and will participate in the state’s food program. Busy Bees Childcare Center will be providing care for infants aged 6 weeks, up to 13 years old. The mission of Busy Bees Childcare Center is to offer exceptional care to infants and children. We will strive to offer age appropriate, developmentally sound, activities that promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth of every child.

The hospital will be opening employment opportunities for the positions of childcare center director, teacher, teacher assistant, substitute, and volunteer. Shortly thereafter, submitting our application for licensure to the state of Nebraska to become a childcare center. All while transitioning the space to become the future home of Busy Bees Childcare Center!

The hospital is not quite ready to accept applications from the community, but we hope to release additional information in the coming weeks. We’ve set a target opening date of August 1^st, 2023. Needless to say, we’ve set lofty goals! Stay tuned to hear if we’ve received our grant funding!