Pete’s Place, operated by St. Peter’s Health, is a fully licensed and dedicated child care facility committed to providing a safe, fun, and loving environment for your children. We understand the importance of quality childcare in a child’s early years, and at Pete’s Place, we strive to create a nurturing space where children can learn, play, and grow.
About Pete’s Place: A Legacy of Compassionate Childcare
Pete’s Place has a rich history of serving the Helena community. Originally established in 1986 as the first employer-operated childcare center in Helena, near the Regional Medical Center, Pete’s Place has consistently prioritized the needs of families. Expanding to a second location, Pete’s Place North, in August 2022, and consolidating both into a larger, former elementary school in August 2024, Pete’s Place has significantly increased its capacity to meet the growing demand for quality childcare. While Pete’s Place prioritizes children of St. Peter’s employees, we are proud to serve infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from the wider community.
Learning Through Play: Fostering Development at Every Stage
At Pete’s Place, our mission is to provide compassionate and high-quality childcare that caters to the unique developmental needs of each child. We believe in the power of play-based learning to prepare children for future success. Our daily schedules, thoughtfully designed for each age group and classroom, incorporate a balanced approach to learning and fun. These schedules typically include:
- Age-appropriate activities that encourage play and rest, ensuring children have the energy they need to explore and learn.
- Engaging arts and crafts, reading sessions to spark imagination, music and movement activities to develop rhythm and coordination, and much more to stimulate creativity and cognitive development.
- Creative outdoor play in our dedicated play areas, allowing children to develop gross motor skills and social interaction in a natural setting.
Our State-of-the-Art Childcare Facility
Pete’s Place is proud to be a fully licensed childcare facility by the State of Montana, reflecting our commitment to meeting the highest standards of care and safety. We are also a Level 4 participant in the Best Beginnings STARS to Quality Program, demonstrating our dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in early childhood education. Furthermore, Pete’s Place participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, ensuring nutritious meals and snacks are provided to all children in our care.
Our expansive facility boasts 11 classrooms, each thoughtfully designed and named after Montana wildlife animals, fostering a connection with nature. From the “Woodchuck Room” for our youngest infants to the “Bobcat Room” for preschoolers, each classroom is age-appropriate and equipped to provide a stimulating learning environment. The facility is divided into two renovated wings: the upper wing dedicated to infants and toddlers (ages 0-2), and the lower wing designed for preschoolers (ages 3-5).
We adhere to developmentally appropriate practices established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in our infant, toddler, and preschool rooms. Our preschool rooms utilize the Creative Curriculum, a research-based curriculum that focuses on hands-on, project-based learning.
To enhance communication and parent involvement, we utilize the secure Class Dojo app. This platform allows parents to stay connected with their child’s day through photos, videos, and direct messages from our caring teachers.
Outdoor learning is integral to our program. Each wing has its own dedicated and secure outdoor play area. Preschool classes enjoy daily outdoor time, weather permitting, in a play area equipped with age-appropriate structures and toys that promote gross motor skills and imaginative play. Infants and toddlers also benefit from their separate, fenced outdoor play areas, featuring climbing structures and sandboxes scaled to their size, encouraging exploration and active play.
Our curriculum is guided by Creative Curriculum by Teaching Strategies Inc., Mother Goose Time, and the Montana Early Learning Guidelines. Daily lesson plans incorporate a balance of teacher-organized and child-initiated activities, indoor and outdoor experiences, active and quiet time, and both group and individual play. We focus on fostering growth in key developmental areas: social, cognitive, language, physical, and emotional development. Nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided daily, supporting the children’s energy and well-being.
Our Dedicated and Qualified Staff
At Pete’s Place, we recognize that our staff are the heart of our program. Most classrooms are led by experienced Early Childhood Lead Teachers, with many classrooms also benefiting from the support of Early Childhood Assistant Teachers.
Our Early Childhood Lead Teachers are required to meet stringent qualifications, including:
- A current national Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education (preferred).
- A minimum of 1,000 hours of experience working in an Early Childhood setting, demonstrating practical expertise.
- 60 hours of approved training in Early Childhood Education, ensuring a strong theoretical foundation.
- Certification in AHA Pediatric First Aid and Infant, Child, and Adult CPR, prioritizing the safety and well-being of children.
- Annual completion of 16 hours of approved training to stay current with best practices.
- Preferred required training from Child Care Licensing and STARS to Quality to maintain our Level 4 status.
Early Childhood Assistant Teachers also meet important requirements:
- A High School Diploma or GED (preferred).
- Must be at least 16 years of age.
- Certification in AHA Pediatric First Aid and CPR.
- Annual completion of 16 hours of approved training.
Enrollment at Pete’s Place
Currently, Pete’s Place prioritizes enrollment for children of St. Peter’s staff. If you are an employee of St. Peter’s, please visit the People Hub employee intranet for detailed enrollment information and to join our waiting list.
Join Our Team at Pete’s Place! We’re Hiring Passionate Educators
Are you passionate about early childhood education and seeking a rewarding career? Pete’s Place is growing and actively seeking qualified and enthusiastic individuals to join our dedicated team! We offer a supportive and fulfilling work environment with excellent employment benefits, including:
- Comprehensive insurance benefits to support your health and well-being.
- Paid leave for a healthy work-life balance.
- A competitive starting minimum wage of $15 per hour, recognizing the value of your work.
- Access to the Capital City Health Club gym membership, promoting employee wellness.
- And other valuable benefits!
Featured Job Opportunities
We are currently seeking passionate and dedicated early childhood educators to join our experienced and caring team. Explore the following openings to learn more and apply:
Early Childhood Lead Teacher – Infant
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher – Infant
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher – Toddler
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher – Toddler – Per Diem
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher – Preschool
For further inquiries about employment opportunities, please contact Kim Casey at [email protected] or call 406-447-2913.
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