Scotland Health Opens On-Site Childcare to Support Healthcare Heroes

On Monday, Scotland Health formally unveiled its on‑site childcare service at Scotland Memorial Hospital, a resource designed to meet the realities of healthcare work—long shifts, early rounds, and late-night handoffs—while giving teammates peace of mind that their little ones are cared for just steps away.

The new center is operated by Kids Campus Learning Center, a trusted five‑star provider that has served Scotland County since 2008, with established daycares in Laurinburg, Laurel Hill, and Maxton. The Scotland Health site becomes their fourth location, with hours from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. calibrated to support 12‑hour shifts and the unpredictable cadence of hospital life.

A ribbon cutting hosted members of the Laurinburg‑Scotland County Area Chamber of Commerce, Scotland Health leaders and staff, community guests, and the many planners, builders, and partners who brought the idea from a town‑hall suggestion to a reality.

“A Great Idea, Champions, and a Team”

David Pope, President and CEO of Scotland Health, traced the origin story to the organization’s town halls with frontline teammates:

“There are three things that we need to be able to do something like this. First, it takes a great idea. I’m really proud that the idea about on‑site childcare is something that came from one of our town hall meetings directly from our frontline teammates… The second thing is every good idea needs champions and I just want to recognize Lucien St. Onge and Christi Meggs… Christi pushing from the vision side and Lucien working alongside her to make it happen… The third thing… it takes a team. I look around this room and think about all the folks that were part of it—building committee, board, and the planning side.”

A Partner with Shared Values

Representing Kids Campus, Nancy Higgins spoke with heartfelt gratitude—and personal connection:

“This is a great achievement for Scotland County. It’s a great achievement for Kids Campus, and it means a lot to me to be able to be a part of that. We offer secure, safe, healthy environments for all the medical staff. My mother recently passed away but she was taken care of by the ICU staff, the emergency department and many others, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to give something back.”

Why On‑Site Childcare Matters in Healthcare

Hospitals run 24/7. Shifts are long and often extend beyond the conventional 9–5, and the emotional demands of patient care can be intense. For teammates who are parents, reliable childcare is more than a convenience—it’s a lifeline. Childcare stress among healthcare workers can lead to burnout, anxiety, and intent to reduce hours or leave their roles. Solutions such as on‑site childcare can alleviate stress and improve retention and recruitment.

“It Makes Absolute Sense for Our Staff”

Lucien St. Onge, Chief Operations and Finance Officer at Scotland Health, was candid about the economics—and the mission:

“From a dollar and cents standpoint, it doesn’t make sense to have daycare. It’s not something that you do to add to your bottom line. But as for what is best for our staff, it makes absolute sense. That’s why we did it… By taking care of our staff and giving them some peace of mind, they can come in and focus solely on their patients, so this is a major win for both our staff and patients.”

Meeting a Real Need—Together

For Christi Meggs, Scotland Health senior vice president of Human Resource, the journey began with listening:

“What we realized very early on is that there was a huge need. We heard it repeatedly from our town hall meetings, from our teammate engagement survey, and just from talking to teammates. But we knew this is not our core business… So, we knew we needed a really good partner. Looking at potential partners, we identified Kids Campus, and we feel they have the same values that we do. They offer safe care for the children, they are high‑quality—a five‑star facility—they are compassionate, and we needed a sustainable model.  Something we can create from this partnership.  We have over 1,500 teammates employed by Scotland Health… and they need childcare.”

Community Collaboration, Local Impact

The ribbon cutting was a community celebration as much as an organizational milestone. It recognized how feedback from frontline teammates sparked a solution, how leaders championed it, and how partners like Kids Campus translated vision into daily operations. And it acknowledged something vital: the care economy is interconnected. When early childhood providers are strong, parents can work. When parents can work—especially in mission‑critical roles like nursing and allied health—patient care is more reliable and communities thrive.

Looking Ahead

Scotland Health’s on‑site childcare is a tangible expression of a broader commitment: listening to teammates, investing in partnerships, and strengthening a culture where people caring for people is sustained by practical supports. As David Pope noted, great ideas need champions and teams. On Monday, that team cut a ribbon—and opened doors for families across Scotland Health.