Honoring the hundred languages of childhood.
We view children not as empty vessels to fill, but as capable, active researchers. Our nature-integrated campus serves as a canvas for child-led inquiry and self-expression.
A Journey of Dreams and Growth
In 2019, we (Ammy and Katrina) embarked on a shared dream. We envisioned a place where children could learn, grow, and thrive in a nurturing environment inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach.
Our journey began with a simple dream that bloomed into a heartwarming reality. After months of planning, hard work, and the support of our colleagues, we transformed a part of Ammy's house into a home child care in 2020. Lucciola Academy opened its doors to the Milpitas community during the pandemic and embraced its first six children.
The initial year was an invaluable learning experience for the children, families, and the dedicated team at Lucciola Academy. The relationships formed during this time motivated them to persevere and inspired us to dream bigger.
After three transformative years in Milpitas, we realized the dream was ready for a new chapter. Lucciola Academy found a bigger and more welcoming space in Willow Glen where we could embrace more families, inspire more children, and continue our journey of growth and learning.
We aim to continue serving the community and inspire and motivate others to live their dreams.
Our Story
Ammy
Katrina
Hello! With over a decade of experience in the early childhood field, Reggio Emilia philosophy has been the one that spoke to me the most in terms of education for young children. Children deserve the right to be in a community where they are trusted, loved, and be themselves.
Hello! My educational journey of over 12 years was truly enriched when I discovered the Reggio Emilia approach. Education is a balance of imparting knowledge, nurturing young minds, and helping them discover their full potential. This experience has inspired me to become a lifelong learner.
The Reggio Way
A pedagogy of listening
The Environment as Third Teacher
Visible Learning Journeys
Our classrooms and outdoor spaces are intentionally curated with natural materials, light, and open-ended resources. These provocations invite children to wonder, test hypotheses, and collaborate.
We carefully document daily discoveries through photographs, transcriptions, and artistic artifacts. This pedagogical documentation makes the cognitive growth of each child deeply visible to families.
An environment that is beautiful, honest, and filled with light is a silent partner in the child's search for meaning.
About Us
What inspires us?
Lucciola Academy is driven by the idea that the educators, the families, and the environment each play a role in guiding the children as they unravel their discoveries.
Our inspiration came from Loris Malaguzzi’s Reggio Emilia approach where children are viewed as resilient and competent individuals. The children are considered active participants in constructing their learning and building ideas at their own pace. Educators and children build a relationship based on respect and collaboration.
What makes us unique?
At Lucciola Academy, learning starts in infancy. We believe in Magda Gerber’s RIE approach in emphasizing respect and trust in an infant's ability to invent, explore, and learn. Our goal is to develop a child’s sense of security, independence, and confidence.
We aim to provide excellent early learning opportunities in a high-quality environment for your child. With your partnership and collaboration, your child will achieve a balance of self-discovery and social interactions.
Lucciola Academy consists of passionate educators who recognize the children's capability to direct their learning, value the family's support, and intentional in designing the environment.
The educators, the children, the families, and the environment, together, we are Lucciola community.
Why us?
Join our learning community
We invite you to experience our nature-integrated campus and see child-led learning in action. Schedule a private tour with our educators today.