Freeman News

Freeman Announces Plans for Near-Site Day Care Center

August 02, 2018

Program Will Simplify the Lives of Staff and Aid in Recruitment

Freeman Health System announces plans for a near-site day care center for children of Freeman employees. Freeman Learning Center will open in early 2019 and will be located at 921 East 34th Street, across the street from Freeman Hospital East.

Freeman Learning Center will focus on more than just making sure children are well fed, rested and safe – it will offer a preschool program with structured play that engages children to help them grow intellectually, emotionally and socially. The environment will be attractive and stimulating to keep the children happily occupied.

“As a working mother, I understand the logistics of child care can be challenging, and a work-life balance can be hard to achieve,” said Paula Baker, Freeman Health System President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our vision for Freeman Learning Center is to simplify and improve the lives of our staff.”

Both part-time and full-time staff will be able to enroll their children in the day care program. Meals will be provided, and the center will have a lactation room for mothers to nurse their babies. The center will be fully licensed and will feature a monitored security system. The building will include a storm shelter to protect the children in case of natural disaster.

In addition to the benefit provided to staff, Freeman Learning Center will provide Freeman with a powerful tool to help in the recruitment of talented nurses, doctors and support staff. This near-site day care solution will also help Freeman retain good employees and cut down on turnover.

About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2018, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. The Leapfrog Group awarded Freeman the highest grade possible in the Spring 2018 Hospital Patient Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 70 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.