Where curiosity leads and little minds grow. That's the slogan at Two Moms & Tots Childcare Center, 102 W. 11th Ave. in Post Falls. The facility opened its Pre-Kindergarten program in November 2025 and added an Infant and Toddler Center designed for its younger learners in April this year. 

Owner Whitney Gothmann said the learning environments embrace the philosophy of nurturing the whole child by blending Montessori independence, Waldorf-inspired creativity and meaningful hands-on learning. 

“In a lot of daycare facilities, you’ll see toys dumped on the floor and a lot of chaos going on,” Gothmann said. “We believe young minds thrive when they are encouraged to explore, create and connect with the world around them, which is why we focus on the Montessori method, which teaches children practical life skills, respect for nature and self-sufficiency.” 

Gothmann said there are currently 40 kids enrolled in the Pre-K program, and room for another 25 to 30. 

“We have a summer program for school-aged kids — Kylee Hobbick is our lead teacher and preschool director,” Gothmann said. “She does a lot of science experiments with them — and a lot of crafts too. Amara Rettke-Koester is our lead toddler teacher. She started with us in May.” 

Gothmann said the daycare and preschool offer part-time and full-time enrollment and provide whole meals and snacks for the kids. 

“We’re part of a program that the USDA monitors,” she said. 

Gothmann, who had worked at a daycare facility before opening her own, said what she does is not just about having a job or earning a paycheck. 

“I love all these kids like they were my own children,” she said. “I was very blessed to be a stay-at-home mom for six and a half years, but when I had to put them in daycare, I was absolutely terrified. “I want my daycare to be a safe place — a second home for these babies where the parents know they are loved and that they are having the time of their lives.” 

Two Moms & Tots is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., is screen-free and accepts Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) assistance. Call 208- 620-6971 or email [email protected] for more information or to schedule a tour. 

Now the TidBits  

New and Upcoming 

• Les Schwab Tire Center is opening on July 29 at 1656 N. Nicholson Center in Post Falls.

• Dragon Fly Support Services, a mental health and substance use counseling facility, is now open at 601 E. Seltice Way in Post Falls.  

• The Sierra Ranch Chili at 200 W. Hanley Ave. in Coeur d'Alene is now open.

• The Coral Cafe is open at 1524 E. Sherman Ave. in Coeur d'Alene.

• The Mad Baby Thrift and Consign is open at 5380 E. Seltice Way in Post Falls.

• Vintage Antique Mall is now open at 7352 N. Government Way in Dalton Gardens. 

• People’s Waffle, 400 N. Fourth St. in Coeur d’Alene, is open. 

• The Spill the Tea and Benzo Box at Greensferry Road and Seltice Way in Post Falls is open. 

• Hyatt Place, a 151-room hotel, 1213 E. Fourth Ave. in Post Falls, is now open. 

Ongoing Projects    

• Spokane-based Golden Rule Brake is nearing completion at 3627 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene.

• A state-of-the-art pickleball facility, The Flying Pickle, is coming to The Pointe at Post Falls at 140 N. Beck Road.   

• Mor Furniture for Less, one of the West Coast’s largest furniture retailers, is opening a showroom this summer at the Prairie Shopping Center in Hayden.  

• American Universal Storage is planned for Spirit Lake along Highway 41, across from the Jiffi Stop.    

• The Ross Point Gas Station is under construction at 310 N. Ross Point Road in Post Falls.   

• Coeur Dance Arts is a new dance studio under development at 4131 Early Dawn Ave. Suite 105B, Post Falls. Classes are expected to begin mid-summer; check coeurdancearts.com.    

 • Jefe's Tacos and Tequila has filed for its business license. The opening date is undetermined at this time.    

 • A new commercial building is planned for the Riverstone development at 1570 W. Tilford Lane and will bring at least one new dining option to the area. The 7,500-square-foot mixed-use building's targeted finish date is this summer.    

• The 33-unit, mixed-use "Nonna" building across from Post Falls City Hall on Spokane Street is anticipated to be completed by October of 2026. 

 • A five-story, 173-room Hilton Dual Brand Hotel is planned for a 2.71-acre parcel of land off Lee Court and Appleway Avenue in Coeur d'Alene. The project's start and completion dates haven't been determined     

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Have a tip on happenings in the local business world? Contact Bob at [email protected].