Kawasaki makes large donation to Maryville early learning center

from left: Cindy Sons, Preschool & Child Care Director; Megan Jennings, St. Francis Hospital Foundation Development Officer; Brock Pfost, St. Francis Hospital Foundation Board President; Mike Baumgartner, SSM Health St. Francis Hospital President; Tim Melvin, Kawasaki Human Resources Director; and Anita Coulter, Kawasaki Plant Manager.
Photo courtesy SSMHealth

Kawasaki Manufacturing donated $100,000 Wednesday to the new SSM Health Preschool and Child Care Center in Maryville.

According to a news release, the new 14,200 square foot early learning center that’s currently under construction, will double the capacity of children served by the current preschool from 67 to 136. Currently, Kawasaki families make up over 20% of the enrollment at SSM Health Preschool.

“We know that high-quality, reliable child care directly correlates to employer and employee satisfaction,” said Tim Melvin, Kawasaki Human Resources Manager. “It creates a culture where employees miss fewer days, are less stressed, and often times more productive.”

SSM Health said Kawasaki’s partnership with SSM Health Preschool & Child Care Center will offer Kawasaki families priority enrollment, preferred pricing with sliding scale discounts, and back-up child care. Opportunities for second and third shift care are currently being evaluated as well.

The new center is expected to open in August of 2018.