An Educational, Growth-Oriented, and Proven Child Care Provider for the Treasure Valley
Enroll Your Child at Giggles & Grace and You’ll Receive Dependable, Faith-Inclusive Child Care from a Team of Child Care Experts that Value Your Child’s Spiritual, Intellectual, Emotional and Social Development. Contact us
We Provide Child Care For
Headstart
Preschool Promise
Private Child Care
ERDC
Are you looking for a safe, fun, and inclusive learning environment for your child?
Finding a reliable child care provider is no easy task for families living in Ontario and neighboring communities such as Nyssa and Vale, as well as Idaho towns across the Snake River such as Fruitland, Payette, and Parma. Just when you have found some stability, your child gets too old for the in-home program down the street, and suddenly you’re back where you started.
This is especially true if you have multiple children! After all, who wants to drop off their kids at multiple locations every morning?
Or maybe you’ve been on a waiting list for 18 months and you can’t wait any longer. Whatever the case, the search for a child care partner can be truly overwhelming.
But there’s good news…
Giggles & Grace was born out of a desire to meet the growing needs of Ontario and those residing in the Treasure Valley. We serve and educate children from the tender age of 6 weeks all the way up to age 12 in our after school programs. Because we are a private child care center that specializes in preschool, we have developed multiple financial paths to make preschool affordable for you and your family, including Head Start, Preschool Promise, ERDC, and private pay options.
Our Mission
As caregivers and educators, Our Mission is to provide a safe and developmentally appropriate learning environment that fosters a child’s natural desire to explore, discover, create, and become a lifelong learner. We currently serve the Western Treasure Valley by providing care for about 180 children yearly and employ 30+ staff members.
HISTORY
We Grew Out of a Desire to Serve the Malheur County Community
Our center began as a small, private care option known as the Giggle Tree. Our educators developed 50+ years of combined experience at the Giggle Tree, which is essential to the core expertise of our organization today. The Giggle Tree eventually expanded as our vision increased, and Giggles & Grace opened its doors in 2013.
To date, Giggles & Grace is currently licensed for 99 children in our center and 32 children at a partner’s facility. We are a non-profit organization committed to serving preschool and child care services to children between the ages of 6 weeks to 12 years old. Giggles & Grace currently has infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms as well as a before and after school program.
total children served per day
Caring and Professional Employees
Children in our Early Head Start Partnership Program
What Sets Us Apart
We Serve Multiple Age Ranges
We Get Kids
Outdoors
We Care for Your (Very) Little Ones, Too!
Giggles & Grace has 60 available spots for infants and toddlers at any one time. We care for little ones starting at the age of six weeks in our baby room.
Multiple Funding Paths are Available
We Meet (or Exceed) All State Requirements
From USDA approved meal choices, to mandatory nap time/quiet time, to appropriate caregiver-to-child ratios, we meet all the necessary state requirements to keep your child safe and secure.
Our Cool App Helps You (And Us!) Stay on Track
Using the Brightwheel App, we are able to ensure seamless pickup and drop-off, track your child’s attendance, send home daily progress reports, communicate with staff, chat with you, and give you a place to easily pay your tuition and fees. No children left in the parking lot here! Yippee!
Open 5 Days a Week Year Round
We Believe in Educational Advancement
We want to prepare your child to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Our providers use the Creative Curriculum to teach your children the reasoning, interactive, and cause-and-effect skills that will benefit them once they enter kindergarten and for years to come. In addition, we offer nondenominational Christian-based Bible Adventure Time to those that would like to participate beyond our preschool teachings. Giggles & Grace is inclusive of all cultures and backgrounds in addition to the abilities of the children we serve.
How to Finance Your Preschool at Giggles & Grace
Giggles & Grace is a private, non-profit child care center. What this means for you is that we may have multiple funding options available for different income levels. And if you don’t qualify for assistance, we are one of the only center-based options that offer private pay opportunities in Eastern Oregon for all income brackets.
Here are all the ways you can get your child care paid for at Giggles & Grace:
Preschool Promise
Preschool Promise is available to families at 200% or less of the federal poverty level and provides completely free preschool to those who qualify. To apply for Preschool Promise, visit the Eastern Oregon Early Learning Hub and look for the Preschool Promise Full Application Form.
Early Head Start
Early Head Start is a government-funded preschool option for children 6-weeks old to a maximum of 3-years old which covers all of a family’s child care expenses for the year beside a potential ERDC copay. Families at or below 130% of the federal poverty level are eligible for Early Head Start. Giggles & Grace currently partners with the Oregon Child Development Coalition to provide 36 spots and four classrooms available for Head Start at our satellite location. These classrooms are split into (1) The Baby Room, (2) The 1-Year-Old Room, (3) The Mobile Room for 1s and 2s, and (4) The 2s and 3s room. To apply for Early Head Start please call (541)889-5325 and ask to speak with the Giggles & Grace Family Advocate or Program Coordinator to inquire more about eligibility.
ERDC
The Employment Related Day Care Program (ERDC) is state-funded daycare assistance through the state of Oregon, available to income-eligible families while they are working. According to the state of Oregon, “Assistance can include the cost of registration fees, including annual enrollment fees, application fees, and initial registration fees.” In other words, ERDC will generally pay the majority of your child care expenses based upon your monthly income level. To apply for ERDC, please visit Oregon.gov or contact Giggles & Grace and we will help guide you through the process.
Private Pay
Confused about your funding options? This is totally understandable! Give us a call during business hours (7:30am-6:00pm Mountain Time) and will share all known community resources that may apply to your family.
How to Finance Your Preschool at Giggles & Grace
Giggles & Grace is a private, non-profit child care center. What this means for you is that we may have multiple funding options available for different income levels. And if you don’t qualify for assistance, we are one of the only center-based options that offer private pay opportunities in Eastern Oregon for all income brackets.
Here are all the ways you can get your child care paid for at Giggles & Grace:
Preschool Promise
Preschool Promise is available to families at 200% or less of the federal poverty level and provides completely free preschool to those who qualify. To apply for Preschool Promise, visit the Eastern Oregon Early Learning Hub and look for the Preschool Promise Full Application Form.
Early Head Start
Early Head Start is a government-funded preschool option for 6-week to a maximum of 3-year-olds which, covers all of a family’s child care expenses for the year beside a potential ERDC copay. Families at or below 130% of the federal poverty level are eligible for Early Head Start. Giggles & Grace currently partners with the Oregon Child Development Coalition to provide 36 spots and four classrooms available for Head Start at out satellite location. These classrooms are split into (1) The Baby Room, (2) The 1 Year Old Room, (3) The Mobile Room for 1s and 2s, and (4) The 2s and 3s room. To apply for Early Head Start please call (541) 889-5325 and ask to speak with the Giggles & Grace Family Advocate or Program Coordinator to inquire more about eligibility.
ERDC
The Employment Related Day Care Program (ERDC) is state-funded daycare assistance through the state of Oregon, available to income eligible families while they are working. According to the state of Oregon, “Assistance can include the cost of registration fees, including annual enrollment fees, application fees, and initial registration fees.” In other words, ERDC will generally pay the majority of your child care expenses based upon your monthly income level. To apply for ERDC, please visit Oregon.gov or contact Giggles & Grace and we will help guide you through the process.
Private Pay
Confused about your funding options? This is totally understandable! Give us a call during business hours (7:30am-6:00pm Mountain Time) and will share all known community resources that may apply to your family.
What People Are Saying
“Giggles and Grace has been a very large part of our family and the well being of our children. It all started when the facility was Giggle Tree and our two boys rode the bus there after school. When it came time for our daughter, who is a special needs individual, I didn’t hesitate to contact Giggle Tree. They took great care of our daughter and installed a wheelchair ramp to accommodate to her needs.
When the facility became Giggles and Grace, the office staff and teachers continued to care for Abby and adapt to her special needs. Shawn was a great resource for getting special meals and equipment for our special Abby. We were able to receive care for her past the recommended age due to her disabilities and Giggles and Grace cared for her beyond our expectations.
I would recommend Giggles and Grace Early Learning Center to every parent that needs care for their children.”
–Jennifer Forsyth
“My experience as a parent here at Giggles and Grace Early Learning Center has been nothing but amazing. I have two daughters and both have been coming here since they were 1 years old and younger. The fact that they are open 5 days a week and all day is a huge stress relief for my husband and I. We both work 8-5 Monday through Friday and knowing my
children are getting good quality care is such a blessing.
All of the fun activities they do in the class, having homemade food, and routines with schedules gives them structure. I love getting pictures of them in the day, or just getting a text saying, “Hey she is doing great!”, is something every parent loves to hear.
I would highly recommend Giggles and Grace to anyone looking for quality child care. The teachers are fantastic and do an amazing job with these kids.”
–Tara Rodriguez
“For the past 5 years or so, Giggles and Grace staff have gone above and beyond for my family and I! I have 4 kids all under the age of 11 and they love going there! They are always so happy when I pick them up! All the wonderful staff are so caring and truly listen to our needs. I love receiving daily update pictures of my baby girl and my toddler, especially. All of the staff are so knowledgeable and have given me such helpful tips and are always there for us.
We even received a new jacket for my toddler last year, when we were in need, and when my hubby and I were sick with Covid this past year, and through all the sicknesses we’ve battled this past year, Giggles and Grace worked with us on the billing/payment arrangements. The kids are so well taken care of and the staff is always so friendly and are all always willing to help any way they can! We will stay with you for as many years as we can!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything that you do, for providing the best service possible, and for keeping our kids happy, healthy, and safe every day!”
–Jessica Tolman
Start the Enrollment Process Today!
Take the first simple step towards a more seamless child care experience by scheduling an after-hours tour, virtually, or by phone consultation. When you discover that we are the right fit for your child(ren) and family, you can then begin our enrollment process.
Parents often save for their children’s college; however, the first five years of a child’s life and education are the most critical in terms of brain development and dictate opportunities throughout adulthood. Make an investment today that will last a lifetime!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What days are you open and what are your hours?
We’re open Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 5:00pm, Mountain Time. Infants and Toddlers need to be picked up by 5:30pm, and preschool aged children or older need to be picked up by 5.30pm. [Failure to pick up a child on time, within a reasonable amount of time or without making necessary accommodations, may result in the local police department or DHS being called with regard to neglect as we are Mandatory Reporters].
2. How do I know my child is going to be safe and cared for?
The SmartCare App will inform you when your child was checked in as well as when your child was picked up. For babies, you will get you a daily “babygram” about the progress of your little one during pick up. We also provide Incident Reports as applicable to be read and be signed during pick up.
3. Do My Kids Have to Go Each Day of the Week?
No, we are flexible! In fact, we have different monthly and daily pricing options based on how often you plan to have your child attend Giggles & Grace. The full monthly rate is a good option if you plan to have your child attend more than 3 days per week, while our intermediate option offers a reduced rate where you pay for 13 days of the month at a time (then you simply tack on the daily rate if you happen to go above that). We also offer daily and half-day fees. Some programs such as Early Head Start, Preschool Promise, or ERDC have attendance requirements.
See our price list for more detail.
4. Does My Child Have to Participate in Nap Time?
The Oregon Office of Child Care requires that all children must be given time daily to nap or rest. Children will not be forced to sleep; however, they will be expected to lie or sit quietly during nap time so as not to interfere with the nap or rest time of other children. The length of time a child sleeps is dependent upon each child’s resting needs; furthermore, children shall be provided alternative quiet activities if unable to rest after 45 minutes.
5. How Does Your Before & After School Program Work?
This Explorers programing is fairly mobile as our before and after school program utilizes field trips, trips to the park, outdoor spaces, and indoor spaces to a high degree. The program is available for 5 to 12 year-olds and is offered during the same regular hours as the center. In the mornings you may drop off your child as early as 7:00am. In the afternoons you may drop off your child whenever they finish with school; pick up must be completed by 5.30pm. Please see more on the Explorers page.
6. Do You Help with Potty Training?
Yes, we do. Although, we want to see children potty trained by the age of 3. If your child is over the age of 3, a potty-training fee will be incurred and increased monthly as this is outside the general scope of work that we perform from age 3 and up. Please note that this does not pertain to the need for assistance in utilizing the restroom or otherwise due to a disability or for medical reasons.
7. How Do I start the Enrollment Process?
You will first need to complete the Child Enrollment Authorization Form and Financial Agreement, then pay a one-time registration fee per child with the second being reduced. See our resources page to get started.
8. How do I pay my enrollment tuition?
You may also mail a check to:
Giggles & Grace
1260 SW 8th Ave
Ontario, OR 97914
Giggles & Grace is a Certified Child Care Center; licensed by the state of Oregon.