KUNA, Idaho — A new childcare facility is coming to Kuna to help provide childcare to parents or soon-to-be parents.
On Tuesday, officials hosted an open house of their Giraffe Laugh Early Learning Center's facility, which will open its doors in the same building as the Boys & Girls Club Kuna unit.
The new Kuna location will be the second expansion building for the non-profit organization in 2024. It aims to provide Kuna families with an affordable option as the pandemic forced multiple large childcare facilities to close.
According to Executive Director of Giraffe Laugh, Lori Fascilla, more than 300 childcare services have been closed across Idaho over the past four years.
Lori Fascilla, Executive Director, told KTVB she believes their partnership with the Boys & Girls Club in Kuna will provide a sense of stability for children and families through early life.
The children enrolled in the Giraffe Laugh Kuna location will be able to directly transition to this Boys & Girls Club upon entering elementary school.
"This is incredibly important for the Kuna community and the Boys & Girls Club. You know, the beauty of being here with the Boys & Girls Club is we'll be able to serve children from six weeks to 18 years old combined,” said Executive Director Lori Fascilla.
Fascilla clarified that as a nonprofit organization, Giraffe Laugh is making efforts to do what best empowers families and builds strong futures for children.
The center and other Giraffe Laugh centers are made possible by funds gathered from donors and grants.
The Executive Director acknowledged that tuition costs are high for good childcare, but this organization also looks for funding through resources like the Idaho Child Care Program in the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Funds received through various avenues are currently allowing Giraffe Laugh to provide partial scholarships to about 54% of student families, which lowers tuition costs.
On Aug. 22, this Kuna location will welcome 66 young faces to the Giraffe Laugh Early Learning Center.
The other new 2024 location in Boise will have 80 more spots for children.
The waitlist for Giraffe Laugh is continually open and already near 600 candidates.
Both current and expectant parents are encouraged to join a childcare waitlist as soon as possible due to limited capacity and long waiting periods in most early learning and childcare facilities.