Finding the right preschool can be a challenge. If you are like me, you want a school which is safe, clean and well-organized with a supportive, loving and nurturing environment. It must have experienced caring teachers, a good playground and fully-equipped, spacious classrooms. Overall, it must be a place where kids learn through play and creative activities, develop socially and emotionally, and parents get the peace of mind needed to approach their (work)day.
For those of you reading this, who are about to start the process, you can relax. To help parents ticking off all these boxes and to meet the growing demand for high-quality child care, local mompreneur Jackeline Mardones is opening Piccoli Bambini Preschool in Midtown and making a big investment in the community that will impact generations of children and families.
Serving children between the age of 12 weeks and 5 years, the private preschool is expected to open in the Fall, at 2800 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami. Registration and enrollment have begun for the Fall.
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Learn more about Piccoli Bambini's mission, innovative curriculum inspired by the Reggio-Emilia approach and guiding principles from its Co-Founder, Co-Owner and Director, Jackeline Mardones.
Could you share a little about your journey before launching Piccoli Bambini Preschool?
Before I opened Piccoli bambini, I started becoming a certified swimming instructor for infants and toddlers and opened my own swimming school, Piccoli Delfini Swimmers. It was then when I discovered my passion in the field of Early Childhood Education. At the same time I started working as part of the Operations Team of a local preschool and through that experience I realized I was ready to take a step forward in offering my community with a new place to provide academic learning and early stimulation.
What made you decide to open a preschool?
My own experience as a working mother of two children, 2 and 4 years of age. I know the importance of choosing the best possible place for kids, not only for their care but also to expose them to the best possible education with capable, loving and prepared teachers.
What kind of programs and services does Piccoli Bambini offer?
Piccoli Bambini is a preschool inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. It offers a complete program with flexible hours from 7 AM to 7 PM. We offer Italian art and music classes included as part of curriculum. We also offer parent access to our live camera system as a way to give them the opportunity to see their child’s daily activities.
What are the main principles and philosophies are you promote in Piccoli Bambini?
Piccoli Bambini’s curriculum is based on the following guiding principles:
- Knowledge is transferred through positive and meaningful interactions in the classroom through the implementation of the teacher’s pedagogical system.
- We let our students be the protagonist in the learning experience, unleashing their potential, natural curiosity and interest in learning.
- The preparation of the physical spaces in which kids will develop as they act as a third teacher, ensuring that the stimulation is present in each space properly identified with purpose.
- Families as main partners. Active participation of the families is vital and take different forms in our preschool community. Parents have an active role in the learning experiences of our students and help us ensure a wholesome and integral development of the children which is documented to monitor their academic and physical progress.
Piccoli Bambini’s philosophy is based in the equality of opportunities through personalized education that encourages participation, solidarity, cooperation and a culture of kindness among students.
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What is the purpose of education according to you?
Education must be integral to help human beings develop a positive sense of themselves, acting with autonomy, exploring and finding their interests while developing life skills and learning to coexist within the community.
Why is preschool important for the development of children?
The first six years of life of a human being are decisive in the development of cognitive skills, language, fine/gross motor, interpersonal, problem solving and social-emotional skills. Therefore exposure to early childhood education is key. Studies have shown that children that socialize with other children have a series of parallel learnings such as respect, communication, waiting and sharing. It also contributes enormously to a solid academic foundation for the first stages of schooling.
How does the school support children with different learning styles or special needs?
The fundamental right of all children is to access education. With that in mind, Piccoli Bambini Preschool recognizes that each child has individual characteristics interests abilities and learning styles. Our preschool promotes inclusion and a broad sense of value of neurodiversity.
Any advice for parents about their children’s transition to preschool?
Going to preschool brings a good share of emotions, both for parents and children. For a child entering a new environment and meeting new people can close both anxiety and anticipation. Since parents may have conflicting emotions about whether you do children I prepare for preschool, it is important that the decision making process begins in us as parents. The more comfortable we are a about the new stage and the more familiar we are about the transition, the shorter the adjustment period will be for both. Procedures for leaving children in preschool are simple but can be difficult for parents. Preschoolers tend to respond very quickly and positively to routines so follow them at home can help in this transition from home to school.
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Disclaimer: This article was sponsored by Piccoli Bambini Preschool but the content and opinions expressed here are those of the author.
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