HMH KidTown Child Development Center Opens New Facility

Harrison Memorial Hospital opened its new HMH KidTown Child Development Center in November with an official ribbon-cutting on December 7, 2021. The new center was made possible by a $1.5 million gift from The James A. and Martha R. Brown Charitable Foundation, Inc. The new 10,075-square-foot building is located on the HMH campus.

Besides the increased building capacity, the new child development center features multiple painted murals by regional artist, Wylie Caudill. In addition to child care rooms, the center features a multipurpose room for children to enjoy in the winter months when the playground is not accessible. Also, each preschool room is equipped with the latest technology for teaching including interactive smartboards. 

The HMH Child Care Center began in 1983 and has grown tremendously throughout the years. HMH expanded its facility in 1996, by completing a new building on campus and naming the center Toddler Village. In 2015, HMH opened a Before- and After-School Program and expanded to both levels of the Toddler Village building. In 2016, Toddler Village was renamed HMH KidTown and added a full-time Preschool. In January 2020, the child care center was evaluated by the standards set by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department and earned a four out of a five-star rating. Only 27% of the child care centers in the commonwealth of Kentucky are rated four or five stars. Currently, HMH KidTown serves approximately more than 100 families and employs 30 staff members.

“HMH is extremely grateful to The James A. and Martha R. Brown Charitable Foundation, Inc., for the generous donation toward our new facility. With the addition of the new HMH KidTown Child Development Center, we will be able to meet the needs of our employees and community for many years to come,” said Dr. Stephen Toadvine, HMH Chief Executive Officer.

Judy Construction, a Cynthiana-based company, was the builder of the new HMH KidTown Child Development Center.

Pictured at the HMH KidTown Ribbon Cutting are: First Row: Greg Wills, HMH Board Executive Committee Member; Dr. Brian Mulberry, HMH Foundation Chairman and HMH Board Executive Committee Member; Tracy Lair, HMH KidTown Manager; Sheila Currans, HMH Foundation Member; Rebecca Jenkins, HMH Chief Compliance Officer and Peggy Lair, HMH Chief Financial Officer. Second row is James Smith, Mayor of Cynthiana; Todd Brown, Vice President of the Cynthiana-Harrison County Chamber of Commerce; Tomi Clifford, Executive Director of the Cynthiana-Harrison County Chamber of Commerce; Darwin Root, HMH Foundation Member; Bryan Curtis, Chief Information Officer; Glen Allen, Chief Facilities and Safety Officer; Cameron Bess, Judy Construction Project Manager and Dr. Stephen Toadvine, HMH Chief Executive Officer.