Ep. 7 — Rebekah Grindstaff: Affordable Childcare That Actually Helps Families
Ep. 7 — Rebekah Grindstaff: Affordable Childcare That Actually Helps Families
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In Episode 7 of The Brenton Peck Podcast, I’m joined by Rebekah Grindstaff—co-founder of Care House Learning Center in Nampa, Idaho, and a former CASA/guardian ad litem. Rebekah shares how a front-row view of families falling through the cracks led her to build a nonprofit childcare model that actually helps: high-quality, play-based care, realistic pricing, and strong partnership with churches and community organizations.
We unpack the founding story of Care House Learning Center, the realities of staffing and leading volunteers, ACEs & protective factors, ICCP access, and what it takes to replicate the model in other communities. This is a grounded, practical conversation for parents, pastors, community leaders, and anyone who wants to build meaningful support systems for families.
Content Note
Content Note
This episode includes discussion of child loss, child abuse, domestic violence, and trauma.
No graphic details or images, but the stories may be triggering.
Please care for yourself as you listen.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 (U.S.).
Resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline — 800-799-7233 | Text: START to 88788 | https://www.thehotline.org/
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline — 800-422-4453 (Call or Text) | Chat: https://www.childhelphotline.org/
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or Text 988 | Chat: https://chat.988lifeline.org/
Idaho 2-1-1 CareLine — Dial 211 or 800-926-2588 | Text: 898211 | https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/211
Guest Bio
Guest Bio
Rebekah Grindstaff is the co-founder and Executive Director of Care House Learning Center, a nonprofit childcare model designed to offer affordable, high-quality early childhood education to families who often fall through the cracks. Before launching Care House, she served as a CASA/guardian ad litem, advocating for children in the court system and seeing firsthand the gaps families face when navigating trauma, instability, and limited support.
Her work blends business strategy, trauma-informed care, early childhood development, and community partnership, creating a replicable model for churches and nonprofits seeking sustainable childcare solutions.
Key Topics & Moments
Key Topics & Moments
CASA/guardian ad litem realities & the “unfunded mandate”
The case that changed everything → choosing action
Founding Care House: partners, funding model, ages served
Volunteer leadership in a slow system; the need for counseling support
Replicating childcare through a church + nonprofit playbook
ACEs & protective factors: concrete supports for families
Modeling play: kids on the floor, staff on the floor
Movement, outdoor time, sensory play, structure
Cross-nonprofit collaboration (screenings, after-school, community resources)
Hiring well in childcare: wages, stability, training, education support
ICCP realities + sliding-scale access
Crisis-center insights: DV, safety, and the role of childcare in escape
Managing vicarious trauma: boundaries, prayer, and resilience
Core Themes This Episode Connects To
Core Themes This Episode Connects To
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