LOWCOUNTRY LIFE 

Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH) marked the beginning of sitework for the relocation of its employer sponsored childcare center this week with a child-sized groundbreaking ceremony. Hospital administration celebrated the upcoming transition with the current class of four-year-olds, their BMH-employed parents, teachers, and school administrators in the area that will become the children’s playground. “We understand how important it is for employees to know that while they are at work, their children are in a safe and secure learning environment,” said Russell Baxley, Beaufort Memorial president and CEO. “That is why we continue to pursue ways to expand the number of children who can be cared for in the program. It ultimately enables our team members to thrive both personally and professionally.” What started as a response to COVID-driven school closures and virtual learning schedules, The Learning Center has evolved to help meet the ongoing need employees have for childcare. Beaufort Memorial partnered with Hobbit Hill Learning Center in summer 2020 to create the state-licensed center following South Carolina early learning standards. In September that same year, the center opened in an existing Celedon Square facility on Lady’s Island with plans to eventually expand in a location closer to the hospital campus. The program is expected to move over the summer into the new Beaufort Memorial Child Development Center at 5 Verdier Bluff on the Beaufort hospital campus. It will continue to care for infants and children from six months to five years of age and operate Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Photo courtesy of Beaufort Memorial Hospital. To submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island News. Please submit high-resolution photos and include a description and/or names of the people in the picture and the name of the photographer. Email your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com.