Driscoll Children’s Hospital On-Site Daycare Center

Challenges

Access, Worker Issues

Location

Texas

Stakeholders

State Government

Beneficiaries

Children, Parents

Overview

Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, opened a full-capacity on-site daycare for children of employees in 2003.

Key Impact Metrics

200 childcare slots created
20% average tenure Driscoll employees have over competitors
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) certified

Problem

Healthcare employees, particularly those in pediatric hospitals like Driscoll, often work long, irregular hours. Finding affordable, high-quality childcare that aligns with such schedules is a challenge, especially in South Texas, where childcare options may be limited or costly.

Solution

Driscoll Children’s Hospital opened an on-site childcare center in 2003 for children of Driscoll employees, serving infants through preschool-aged children. It is nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a gold standard for childcare centers, ensuring high standards in early childhood education. The center offers flexible hours; open Monday through Friday 5:45 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., designed to accommodate the rotating schedules of hospital employees.

Results

Beneficiary Impact~200 children served
Employee Impact20% lower turnover among employees who use the center compared to employees who do not
Financial Results~$846,000 in saved turnover costs

Replication Tips

Align hours to clinical staffing: Map staff shift data and match with childcare hours: Driscoll’s 5:45 a.m.–7:30 p.m. window matches early labs and late ED shifts.
Plan for growth: Monitor waiting lists by age. Driscoll recognized infant slots were tight and added capacity—anticipate scaling up fast if demand is strong.