Question 1

How many children are in the daycare?

Accepted Answer

It fluctuates. On a given day we have as few as five children and as many as sixteen, depending on who is enrolled and who is in that week. It is still a home — never a big-center crowd.

Question 2

How many people work there?

Accepted Answer

I am here every day with three other people — four of us in all. That can shift a little depending on how many children we have that day. More children, more hands. You will still see the same familiar faces.

Question 3

How old does a child have to be?

Accepted Answer

A child must be at least six weeks old, and we care for children up to five years old.

Question 4

How many years has the daycare been open?

Accepted Answer

My Piccolo Mondo has been open for over 20 years.

Question 5

Will my baby cry at drop-off?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes — and that is a healthy attachment, not a sign you chose the wrong place. A short, warm goodbye works better than slipping out. We stay close, name the feeling, and most children settle once the morning rhythm starts. I will call you if the tears last longer than we expect. You are always welcome to check in.

Question 6

What should I say at the door?

Accepted Answer

Keep it simple and sure: “I love you. I’ll be back after work. Lucia will take care of you.” A hug, a wave, and go. Long goodbyes make the hard part last longer. We pick up the rest — a song, a toy, or a lap if they need one.

Question 7

Can I stay for a few minutes?

Accepted Answer

On the first visit, yes — sit, watch, and let your child see you trust the room. After that, a confident goodbye helps more than hovering. Our door stays open if you want to visit later in the day, just not during rest time if you can help it.

Question 8

What should I pack the first week?

Accepted Answer

A full change of clothes (more if we are toilet learning), a jacket or sweater, a small comfort item for rest, wipes, two bibs, and weather gear. Infants also need two bottles, a pacifier if they use one, and formula or labeled breast milk plus baby food. Please leave extra clothes here — mornings go smoother when the bag is already in the cubby.

Question 9

What about diapers and wipes?

Accepted Answer

Please send a box of wipes (80–100 count) and keep diapers stocked. Creams are optional and should be labeled. If supplies run low I will tell you before we run out. Soiled clothes go home in a sealed bag.

Question 10

Can I bring my child’s toys to daycare?

Accepted Answer

We have plenty of toys here. We do not allow toys from the outside — children might not want to share, and that can create a problem.

Question 11

What if my child is sick?

Accepted Answer

Please keep them home if there has been fever, diarrhea, vomiting, a continuous cough, or an unexplained rash in the last 24 hours. Call or text at least an hour before their usual arrival. If symptoms start here, I will call you for pickup. Rest at home is how the whole little group stays well.

Question 12

When can they come back after being sick?

Accepted Answer

When they have been symptom-free for 24 hours — no fever, no vomiting, no diarrhea — and they feel well enough to play. If you are unsure, call me. I would rather talk it through than have a child miserable at the table.

Question 13

Do you give medicine?

Accepted Answer

By New York State rules for our kind of program, I do not administer medications except in a true emergency under instruction from Poison Control or EMS. Please time regular medicines at home when you can. Tell me about allergies so we can plan meals and play around them.

Question 14

What if my child has allergies?

Accepted Answer

Tell me before the first day — food, bees, lotion, everything. We fill out an allergy plan together and I keep it where I can see it. Meals and snacks are provided here, so I need a clear list, not a surprise at lunch.

Question 15

What do you serve for lunch?

Accepted Answer

All meals and snacks are included. We sit together like a family, pass the bread, and practice please and grazie. It is home cooking, not a cafeteria line. Tell me about allergies or a diet we need to honor. Picky weeks happen — we offer, we don’t force, and we try again tomorrow.

Question 16

What if my child is a picky eater?

Accepted Answer

Very common. We put a little of everything on the plate, eat together, and never turn lunch into a battle. Children try more when they see friends eating. If something is a hard no for your family, tell me and we will work around it.

Question 17

Do the children hear Italian every day?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This is a bilingual English and Italian home. Ciao at the door, grazie at the table, nanna at rest, songs while we clean up. We do not drill vocabulary — children pick up language the way they pick up the rhythm of a house.

Question 18

Will my child get confused hearing two languages?

Accepted Answer

No. Young brains are built for this. Mixing words for a while is normal, not a delay. We keep English clear for safety words and let Italian live in songs, meals, and affection. If you speak only English at home, they will still understand both.

Question 19

How can I practice Italian at home?

Accepted Answer

Start tiny. Ciao and buona notte at the door. Grazie after dinner. Name the moon — luna — on the ride home. Come back to the Today page for a new word each weekday. Children love when home and daycare share the same sounds.

Question 20

How does nap time work?

Accepted Answer

Children under five have a quiet rest after lunch. Sleeping is not required, but the room gets soft — nanna time. A comfort item from home helps. Older children may do a calm activity. Please try not to visit during rest unless you need to.

Question 21

What does the daily schedule look like?

Accepted Answer

Doors open at 7:00 AM. Breakfast is at nine. Outdoor time late morning, lunch at noon, rest after that, art and snack in the afternoon, free play, and pickup by 6:00 PM.

Question 22

What time is breakfast?

Accepted Answer

Breakfast is at nine.

Question 23

What time do I have to pick up?

Accepted Answer

We close at 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Please be here by then. Only registered people on the pickup list may take a child. Turn the car off and walk to the door — no running near cars.

Question 24

What if I am running late?

Accepted Answer

Call or text as soon as you know. A child waiting after closing feels it. If lateness becomes a pattern we will talk, kindly and clearly. Life happens in the Bronx — traffic on the Bruckner is real — just don’t leave me guessing.

Question 25

Who can pick up the children from daycare?

Accepted Answer

Only registered people who are on the pickup list can pick up a child. If I have not met that person, I will ask for photo ID.

Question 26

Do you go outside every day?

Accepted Answer

When the weather allows, yes — sandbox, stretch, a little Bronx air. Send jackets, hats, mittens, or a sunhat so we are not stuck inside for want of a coat. On very hot days we may do water play with your signed permission.

Question 27

What should they wear?

Accepted Answer

Clothes that can get paint, sauce, and sandbox on them. Sneakers beat dress shoes. Leave a full spare outfit here. For winter: jacket, hat, mittens. For summer: sunhat. We play hard. Fancy outfits spend the day worrying.

Question 28

Do you use a sprinkler?

Accepted Answer

On hot days we may use sprinklers or a small wading pool. I need a signed water-play permission first, and I will tell you if a swimsuit and towel should come that morning.

Question 29

What do infants need? How do you care for babies?

Accepted Answer

Infants eat and rest on their own clocks. I hold bottles — we do not prop them — and we do not use cry-it-out. Babies sleep on their backs. Breastfeeding is welcome; we can make a quiet spot if you want to nurse here. Bring two bottles, milk or formula, baby food, a pacifier if they use one, and extra clothes. A baby must be at least six weeks old to start.

Question 30

How do you handle toilet training?

Accepted Answer

We help when your child is ready, never as a race. Send pull-ups and clothes they can manage, plus at least five changes. Accidents are not punished — they are part of learning. Soiled clothes go home sealed. Tell me the words you use at home so we say the same thing.

Question 31

How do you handle biting or hitting?

Accepted Answer

Toddlers use teeth and hands before they have words. We stay calm, keep everyone safe, and give language: “Teeth are for food. Hands are for helping.” No yelling, no shame, no spanking. If a pattern shows up, you and I make a plan together. No child is punished for a bathroom accident either.

Question 32

Do you use time-out?

Accepted Answer

We use a short reset when a child needs space — not a chair of shame. Little ones get redirected. Older ones may sit with me until their body is ready to try again. Kindness is the rule of the house.

Question 33

What are the house rules?

Accepted Answer

Be kind — no hitting, biting, or hurting. Respect the room. Stay with an adult inside and in the yard. Use kind words. Food stays at the table. Simple rules, said the same way every day, so children know the edges of the little world.

Question 34

How do I schedule a tour?

Accepted Answer

Call or text me at (914) 755-2107. I take new-family questions by telephone only — no email forms. We will talk ages, hours, and a time you can walk through 1466 Ohm Ave in Country Club. Come on a weekday morning if you can; the room tells the truth when the children are here.

Question 35

How do I enroll?

Accepted Answer

Tour first. Then read the handbook, complete the enrollment and permission forms with me, and bring a current physical (within 6 months), immunizations, and TB test. After a two-week trial, either family can end care with two weeks’ written notice. Call (914) 755-2107 and we will walk it step by step.

Question 36

What forms do I need?

Accepted Answer

Enrollment application, emergency contacts, pickup list, medical consents, outing and water-play permissions, photo release, health history, and a handbook agreement. Infants also need a feeding plan. The Forms page lists every one. We complete them together — call me if you get stuck.

Question 37

Do I need a doctor’s note?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a physical exam within the last six months, immunization records, and a TB test before the start date. If your pediatrician is running behind, call me and we will plan around the appointment.

Question 38

How does tuition work?

Accepted Answer

Tuition is due by 7:00 AM Friday for the week ahead, cash or check. A payment after 6:00 PM Friday has a $10 late fee per day. After five days we may pause care; after a week the spot may go to another family. Returned checks are $25 plus late fees. If a week is hard, talk to me. For the current weekly rate, call or text (914) 755-2107 — I don’t post a number here because every schedule is a little different.

Question 39

What if we need vacation? Do you close?

Accepted Answer

We close weekends and major holidays. I also take two planned weeks a year and give families at least two weeks’ notice. If your child will be out, tell me at least an hour before their usual arrival. Please keep a backup plan for closed days.

Question 40

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

1466 Ohm Ave, Bronx, NY 10465 — Country Club / Spencer Estates, near Pelham Bay and Throggs Neck. Licensed group family day care, not a big center. English and Italian. Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Question 41

What ages do you take?

Accepted Answer

From six weeks old up to five years old — infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Each age has its own rhythm, all in one small home.

Question 42

What are your hours?

Accepted Answer

Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Closed weekends and major holidays. Two planned provider vacation weeks each year, with notice.

Question 43

How do I reach you during the day?

Accepted Answer

Call or text (914) 755-2107. If I cannot pick up because I am holding a baby or sitting at lunch, I will call you back. You may also visit — knock first. Instagram is @momma_nonnina_lucia if you want to see the room, but questions about your child should come by phone.

Question 44

Do you have an open-door policy?

Accepted Answer

Always. Come see your child. Please knock, and try to avoid rest time. This is a home, not a locked wing. Trust grows when you can walk in.

Question 45

How do I know this is a good fit?

Accepted Answer

Tour while children are here. Watch whether they are spoken to kindly. Smell the room. Ask who holds the bottles. Ask what happens when a toddler bites. If the answers feel like a home you would have wanted as a child, that is your sign. We have been open over 20 years — I want a family who wants this kind of little world, not a warehouse.

Question 46

Is this a home or a center?

Accepted Answer

A licensed group family day care in a home. Five to sixteen children, myself and three other people, the same faces, meals at one table. It is not a large institutional center. That is the point.

Question 47

Do you use screens?

Accepted Answer

Only now and then — a short, child-friendly program, and the children may help choose. Most of the day is blocks, paint, songs, sandbox, and friends. Screens are a sprinkle, not the meal.

Question 48

Do you celebrate the child’s birthday?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we celebrate the child’s birthday. Parents usually bring cupcakes and we have a birthday party for them.

Question 49

When should I start daycare?

Accepted Answer

When your family is ready, a spot is open, and your child is at least six weeks old. Some babies come after parental leave; some toddlers come when a sibling starts school. Give yourselves a few shorter days if you can. Call me and we will look at your timing honestly.