Supporting the development and expansion of early
care and learning opportunities in Teton Valley.
OUR VISION
Every family in Teton Valley has equitable access to affordable, quality early care and learning opportunities.
OUR MISSION
The Collaborative for Early Learning supports the development and expansion of early care and learning opportunities for families and children of Teton Valley that prepares children for a successful start in school and life.
The Collaborative was created out of a community crisis
Our Story: From Crisis to a Community Solution
In 2022, Teton Valley faced a critical turning point. As a designated "childcare desert," our community had far more children in need of care than available spaces, forcing families to choose between their careers and their children's education. The crisis peaked when the last licensed childcare center in Driggs faced the loss of its lease, threatening to leave dozens of families with no options at all. Refusing to let our community lose this vital resource, local leaders mobilized. With the support of the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (IDAEYC), the Teton Valley Collaborative for Early Learning was formed to build a sustainable future for our children.
The Establishment of the Gambal House
Our first accomplishment was stabilizing the at-risk center with support in finding a long-term lease. Our second was even bolder: creating a brand-new center for early education. Through the extraordinary generosity of a community member who donated a 4,000-square-foot home, and a successful Idaho Workforce Development Council Expansion Grant, the "Gambal House" became a reality. After a massive effort to move and refurbish the structure, the Gambal House is now a center for early care and education.
A True Community Effort
This achievement was made possible through the collaborative spirit of Teton Valley. We are deeply grateful to our partners who provided administrative leadership, funding, and invaluable in-kind donations:
Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (IDAEYC)
Teton Regional Economic Coalition (TREC)
Teton School District Board of Trustees
The City of Driggs & Mayor August Christensen
Wilkinson-Montesano Builders
Northworks
The Spark Foundation
Together, we built a foundation where Teton Valley children can thrive. Gambal House, photo credit Lara Agnew Photography
Expanding Access to Affordable Early Care and Education
In Teton Valley, we believe every child deserves a strong start. With no state-funded early education in Idaho, the cost falls solely on families, creating an impossible barrier for many in our rural community.
The Collaborative helps bridge this gap. Using donations and grants to fund our Tuition Assistance program, we ensure that high-quality early learning isn't a luxury- it’s a reality for every child in the valley, regardless of income.
Early Literacy Resources for every family- at no cost!
Every child deserves to have their own home library!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Teton Valley is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children directly to their home. Every enrolled child receives one book per month from birth to age five, at no cost to families.
Join our email list!
Invest in our youngest learners! Join our mailing list for updates on how we’re breaking down barriers to early education in Teton Valley.