About
Providing early childhood education and nurturing to over 150 Treasure Valley children annually.
Our Centers
We currently have two full-time centers that serve children from birth to five years old, a full-time preschool program that serves children from three and a half to five years old, and a summer program that serves children that are of school-age.
Mission
To provide early care and education to young children by ensuring school readiness, empowering families, and building strong futures.
Vision
Every child in the Treasure Valley has access to quality early care and education, and all parents are supported through the early years of parenthood regardless of age or income.
Values
Responsibility: modeling accountability to children, staff, parents, board, and self.
Excellence: dedicated to the mission and values of Giraffe Laugh.
Stability: maintaining a consistent environment for all families.
Pride: instilling pride in our diversity.
Education: cultivating a love of learning in children, staff, and parents.
Caring: modeling patience and empathy for children and adults in a nurturing environment.
Teamwork: committed to staff, parents, and board working together in the best interest of children.
Learn More: Little Shoes Big Dreams Tours
Attend a Little Shoes Big Dreams tour to learn about the three areas of Giraffe Laugh’s work: ensuring school readiness, empowering families, and building strong futures. We recommend attending a tour as one of the first things people can do when they want to get involved. Tours are available virtually or in person!
Virtual tours last about 30 minutes. Sign up for a virtual Little Shoes Big Dreams Tour by visiting our Sign Up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b044eacad2ca5f85-giraffe3.
In person tours last about an hour. Contact cassandra@giraffelaugh.org to schedule an in person tour.
Our Story
For over 30 years, Giraffe Laugh has been helping to ensure school readiness, empower families, and build strong futures in the Treasure Valley! Read about our journey below:
1989: Giraffe Laugh opened in Hyde Park as a non-profit, drop-in, child care center, though no permanent care was available.
1992: Giraffe Laugh became a full-time non-profit preschool for children 6 weeks to 6 years old.
1995: Goodies bought the building and Giraffe Laugh relocated to 901 Resseguie and increased services by 20%.
2005: Giraffe Laugh partnered with the City of Boise to provide care to homeless children from the shelters near Grand Avenue.
2010: Giraffe Laugh partnered with the Salvation Army and the Boise School District to provide care to the pregnant and
parenting teens on the Marian Pritchett Campus.
2014: Giraffe Laugh ran a pilot summer program to close the summer learning gap. The program has continued since.
2015: Giraffe Laugh 4 opened to serve 75 of the 550 children on its waiting list.
2019: Giraffe Laugh celebrated 30 years of impacting children in our community.
2022: Giraffe Laugh 1 closed due to not properly meeting the organizations mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What goal is Giraffe Laugh trying to achieve?
Our overarching goal is to ensure that every child in the Treasure Valley has access to quality early care and education. Every child deserves to have an equal start in life to set them up for future success.
How many children does Giraffe Laugh serve?
Across all of our centers, over 150 children are served annually.
Can anyone attend Giraffe Laugh?
Yes, we welcome all children! Educational justice is extremely important to our organization. We strive to provide access to those most in need.
Does Giraffe Laugh require the children to be vaccinated?
We require children to have the CDC-commended vaccinations, and we do not accept exemption forms. For more information, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/child/0-18yrs-child-combined-schedule.pdf.
Will Giraffe Laugh expand to other areas in Idaho?
One day we hope to have Giraffe Laugh centers in Canyon County, Jerome County, Twin Falls County, and beyond. Currently our centers are only in Ada County, with proper funding we hope to change that.
Overview
Early Education
When children are born, their brains are 25% developed. By the time they leave our program and enter kindergarten, their brains are 90% developed. The first five years of a childs life is the most important for brain growth.
Food Pantry
1 in 10 children in Idaho go to bed hungry every night. Through our partnership with the Idaho Foodbank, we host 24/7 food pantries at all of our sites for families in need.
Summer School Age Program
More than half of the achievement gap between lower and higher income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities. We aim to bridge this gap with our summer program for school-aged children.
Parent Education
Over 1,800 children in Idaho are abused and neglected every year. When parents are empowered through education, support in times of need, and connections, they are less likely to abuse or neglect their children.
Giraffe Laugh Preschool in Garden City
Giraffe Laugh has partnered with the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children to bring a much needed, full-time preschool program to the residents of Garden City. This program is located at the Boys and Girls Club.
Become a Volunteer!
We can see the future from here!
Giraffe Laugh is a local nonprofit that provides early childhood education and nurturing to 150 Treasure Valley children annually by ensuring school readiness, empowering families, and building strong futures.
Giraffe Laugh has two full time centers serving children from birth to five years old, a full-time preschool program that serves children from three and a half to five years old, and a summer program that serves children that are of school-age.