Giggles is first drop-in child care in Columbia Falls

A new child care facility has moved into the Falls Station storefront vacated by Iron Fitness. Giggles Drop In Child Care opened three weeks ago as the only drop-in child care in the Columbia Falls area.

Columbia Falls residents Leesa Peterman and Marinella “Mari” Steccone saw a need in the community for it.

They describe drop-in child care as a “safe babysitter” because it’s a commercial facility with security cameras, insurance and there’s always two people on staff. They also have longer hours than a day care. They’re open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and until 8 p.m. the rest of the week. They accept children ages 1-12 years.

A drop-in service is good for parents who work part time or “when you just want to walk around Target by yourself,” Peterman said. Parents pay when they come to pick up. The only thing required ahead of time is up-to-date vaccinations.

Peterman and her husband, Will, moved to the area in 2011 for his job at Bonneville Power. Leesa was raised near Seattle, but Will spent summers at a family ranch in Libby and said he always wanted to return.

Their 2-year-old son, Dean, was diagnosed with spina bifida when he was born. They had just moved to the Flathead and didn’t have any friends or family to watch him. He was on a couple of wait-lists for local day cares, but wasn’t getting into them.

Leese Peterman posted a message on Facebook looking for a nanny to take care of Dean. She didn’t need full-time help, but she said he needed to learn to socialize with other caretakers and children.

“I got this message from Mari, ‘I would love to come and watch your son.’ And I thought, ‘Who is this crazy lady wanting to come and watch my son,’” Peterman recalled.

Turns out Steccone had helped do Peterman’s maternity shoot in Kalispell. Peterman took her photographer’s advice and hired Steccone. They’ve been friends ever since.

Steccone couldn’t watch Dean all the time. In looking for a solution, they decided to combine their skills and open a drop-in child care together.

Peterman has a background in business, she works part time for her family’s business in Seattle. Steccone has watched children for about 10 years and has been a counselor at Intermountain Children’s Home near Somers for three years. She has three kids at home, Haven, 12, Rockelle, 11, and Aliyah, 8. Steccone is a 2004 Columbia Falls graduate, but grew up in the Bay Area of California.

They currently average 4-5 children per day, but have room for a lot more. They have four employees and a limit of 10 children to one adult. Last Friday night was busy with 15 school-aged children, they said. On Friday nights they invite parents to drop their children off for a cardboard box car drive-in movie night.

“We had one little boy come on Friday. … His dad brought him back the next morning to play for two hours because he woke up and said he wanted to go on the slide,” Steccone said. There is a full-size slide inside since the kids can’t go outside.

They plan to host more events and summer programs. They have meals available for purchase or parents can bring meals for their children.

Giggles Drop In Child Care is located at 734 9th St W, Unit 8 in Columbia Falls. For more information call 406-897-5050 or visit online.