Infants · 0 – 12 months
Little Calves
A calm, cozy nursery that follows each baby’s own rhythm for feeding, napping and snuggling.
- Feeding & nap times on baby’s own schedule
- Tummy time and sensory baskets
- Daily updates for you
Where tiny adventurers grow
Big hearts for little buffs.
Little Buffs Daycare is a sunlit, play-first home away from home in Rupert, Idaho. Sensory play in the morning, crafts and stories, breakfast and lunch at our table — and caregivers who know every giggle by name.
- 0–12 yrs
- Infants to school age
- 6:00–6:00
- Open Monday to Friday
- Included
- Breakfast, lunch & snack
Programs
A classroom for every stage of wonder.
From newborns to 12-year-olds, every child gets a warm, familiar place to land — with care that grows right alongside them.
Toddlers · 13 months – 2 years
Wobblers
First steps, first words, first splashes. Safe spaces to climb, pour, stack and discover.
- Sensory bins, sand & playdough
- Morning stretches and movement games
- Gentle potty-learning support
Preschool age · 3 – 4 years
Big Buffs Preschool
Curious minds with big feelings. We build friendships, independence and a love of “why?”.
- Craft and story time every morning
- Games that grow listening & sharing
- Playground time when it’s nice out
School age · 5 – 12 years
School-Age Buffs
Full days, after school care or Fridays only — a fun, familiar spot for big kids too.
- Full-time, part-time & after school care
- Fridays-only option for ages 5 and up
- Crafts, games and free play
Preschool program
Little learners, big mornings.
Our preschool class brings structured, hands-on lessons to four mornings a week, using the Experience Early Learning curriculum.
Monday – Thursday
Class meets 9:45 – 11:00 am, four mornings a week.
A real curriculum
Lessons come from Experience Early Learning, which partners with our Brightwheel app.
Progress in Brightwheel
We share your child’s learning progress right in the Brightwheel app, so you can follow along.
Sign up a month ahead
Interested? Please let us know one month in advance so we can save your child a spot.
$60/mo
Mon – Thu · 9:45 – 11:00 am
Rates
Simple, flat monthly tuition.
No surprise bills. Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack are included every day, and your rate stays the same month to month.
0 – 12 months
Infants
- Full time · 5 days
- $713/mo
- Full time · 4 days
- $558/mo
- Part time · 3 days
- $434/mo
13 months – 2 years
Toddlers
- Full time · 5 days
- $598/mo
- Full time · 4 days
- $468/mo
- Part time · 3 days
- $364/mo
3 – 4 years
Preschool age
- Full time · 5 days
- $575/mo
- Full time · 4 days
- $450/mo
- Part time · 3 days
- $350/mo
5 – 12 years
School age
- Full time · 5 days
- $529/mo
- Full time · 4 days
- $414/mo
- Part time · 3 days
- $322/mo
After school care
For school-age children in our care up to 4 hours a day.
- Full time · 4 days
- $198/mo
- Part time · 3 days
- $154/mo
Fridays only
A flat rate for school-age children, 5 years and up.
- Flat rate
- $115/mo
Preschool program
Monday – Thursday, 9:45 – 11:00 am. Please give us one month’s notice.
- Monthly
- $60/mo
How billing works
One flat monthly rate
Your rate is based on your child’s age and how many days a week they attend. It stays the same even when they miss a day or we’re closed.
Due on the 15th
Your first month is due before your child starts, and we may prorate it depending on your start date. After that, tuition is due on the 15th of every month.
Up to 9.5 hours a day
Rates cover up to 9.5 hours of care a day. A $3.00 fee per child applies for each day they’re in our care longer than that.
Extra full days
If your child comes on a full day they don’t usually attend, that day is charged at the daily rate for their age.
A day at Little Buffs
Rhythm, routine & a little magic.
Children thrive when they know what comes next. Our day flows gently between busy and calm, from 6:00 am drop-off to 6:00 pm pickup — with breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack along the way.
Infants follow their own schedule for feeding and naps.
6:00
6:00 – 8:00 am
Drop off & quiet time
Quiet play with toys and activities while friends arrive.
8:00
8:00 – 8:50 am
Sensory play
Sensory toys and hands-on activities to wake up busy little hands.
8:50
8:50 – 9:00 am
Wash up for breakfast
Soap, bubbles and clean hands all around.
9:00
9:00 – 9:20 am
Breakfast
We sit together and enjoy breakfast.
9:20
9:20 – 10:00 am
Morning stretches & exercises
Movement, games like musical chairs, and other fun activities.
10:00
10:00 – 10:30 am
Craft or story time
A craft project, or a cozy read through our books.
10:30
10:30 – 11:30 am
Free play
Indoor play, or outside on the playground when the weather’s nice.
11:30
11:30 – 11:45 am
Wash up for lunch
Hands washed and ready to eat.
11:45
11:45 am – 12:15 pm
Settle down
A movie or educational show — quiet time while we prepare and set out lunch.
12:15
12:15 – 12:45 pm
Lunch time
We sit together and enjoy lunch!
12:45
12:45 – 1:00 pm
Get ready for nap
Restrooms, washing up and getting cozy.
1:00
1:00 – 3:00 pm
Nap time
Children rest — it can take a little while to drift off.
3:00
3:00 – 4:00 pm
Wake up & quiet time
We wake children one by one and enjoy quiet activities.
4:00
4:00 – 4:30 pm
Snack time
An afternoon snack to refuel.
4:30
4:30 – 6:00 pm
Choice activities & free play
Puzzles, playdough, sand play or free play with toys until pickup. We’re open until 6:00 pm.
“Be brave, be kind, and always save room for a puddle.”
— Buffy, chief hug officer
The Little Buffs way
Four little promises we keep, big time.
Play is the curriculum
Children learn best with their hands busy and their hearts full. Every activity is play-based and child-led.
Meals are included
Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack are served every day — all part of your monthly rate.
Indoors & out
Playground time when the weather’s nice, and sensory play, music and movement games inside when it isn’t.
You’re always in the loop
Daily notes, photos of the day’s adventures and an open door. Our teachers love to chat at pickup.
Sensory play & play area
Messy hands are welcome here.
Every morning starts with sensory bins, scoops and hands-on discoveries. Afternoons bring puzzles, playdough and sand play — and when the weather’s nice, we head out to the playground to slide, climb and run.
Calendar
Mark your fridge calendar.
The days we’re closed and the fun coming up, all in one place. Tuition stays the same on closure days.
Days we’re closed
No closures on the calendar right now. Our updated closure dates will be posted here soon.
Upcoming events
No events scheduled yet. Check back soon for picture days, parties and special visitors.
Enroll
Ready to join the herd?
Apply online through Brightwheel. The application is available in English and Spanish.
What to bring
Packing for daycare
- Diapers & wipes (if your child is still in them)
- Two full changes of clothes, labeled with their name
- A crib sheet or small blanket for nap time
- A comfort item for nap, like a small stuffed animal
- Bottles, formula or breast milk for infants
- Diaper cream and sunscreen, if you’d like them used
Tip: Many families drop off a big supply at once and leave it here. We’ll let you know when anything is running low.
Questions
Curious? So are we.
The answers parents ask for most. Anything else, just ask on your tour.
What ages do you care for?
We care for children from infancy through 12 years old: infants (0–12 months), toddlers (13 months–2 years), preschool age (3–4 years) and school age (5–12 years), including after school care and a Fridays-only option.
What are your hours?
We’re open Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Monthly rates cover up to 9.5 hours of care a day.
How does tuition work?
It’s a flat monthly rate based on your child’s age and how many days a week they attend, and it stays the same if they miss days or we’re closed. The first month is due before your child starts (we may prorate it depending on your start date), then tuition is due on the 15th of each month.
Is there a fee for longer days?
Yes — a $3.00 fee per child applies for each day they’re in our care longer than 9.5 hours. If your child comes on a full day they don’t usually attend, that day is charged at the daily rate for their age.
Do you have a preschool program?
Yes! Our preschool class meets Monday through Thursday, 9:45 to 11:00 am, for $60 a month. Our curriculum comes from Experience Early Learning, which partners with Brightwheel, and we share your child’s progress in the Brightwheel app. If you’re interested, please let us know a month in advance.
Are meals included?
Yes. We provide breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack every day.
What should we bring?
See our packing list in the Enroll section above. Many families bring a big supply to leave at daycare, and we’ll let you know when anything is running low.
How do I enroll?
Apply online through Brightwheel — the application is available in English and Spanish. You’re also welcome to book a tour first, or call us at 208-436-0624.
Come say hello
Book a tour & meet the herd.
Peek into the play areas, meet our caregivers and see the sensory bins. Tell us a little about your family and we’ll be in touch to find a time that works.
- Tours on weekdays, by appointment
- 713 South 3rd Street, Rupert, Idaho 83350
- 208-436-0624
- About 30 minutes — little ones welcome