About us

We are here to help parents raise happy and healthy children

We all need support through the most important period of our children's lives: the early years

Founder and Head of School

Barbara Michelson

Inclusive

Responsible

Respectful

Collaborative

Philosophy
Our philosophy at Giggle and Grow is to provide a safe, healthy learning environment with the best possible care and teaching to each individual child. Through a balance of emotional, social, communicative, creative, physical and cognitive activities, we place an emphasis on the development of the whole child. We believe that when given the opportunity, encouragement, nurturing and guidance, the child will develop a sound foundation for a successful future.
Mission
Our mission and commitment are to provide children with a warm, loving, friendly atmosphere that promotes exploration, language, critical thinking, questioning and discovery. We stress the importance of the process of learning along with a strong emphasis on caring and respect for those around us. We emphasize the total developmental needs of each child: cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically. The school is devoted to the whole child by creating an engaging learning environment that supports their uniqueness and individuality. Each child is challenged and encouraged to reach his or her fullest potential in an environment where they are loved.
Meet the teachers

Experts in Giving You Children The Best Start

Christina Irvolino: Assistant Director

Christina has her CDA and is First Aid and CPR trained. She joined the school in the spring of 2019 as a Pre-K Teacher and in September of 2020 was promoted to school secretary. Christina received her certificate degree in Early Child Administration and in September of 2021 Chrisina was promoted to Assistant Director.

Dawn D'ambrosio: Sprouts Teacher

Prior to working at Giggle and Grow, Dawn cared for young children in her home for over 28 years. She is dedicated, compassionate and loves taking care of our youngest Sprouts. Dawn joined our school in September of 2015 and plans to stay on for many years nurturing and caring for our babies and young toddlers.

Samatha Cooper: Pre School Three 's "Pea Pods" Teacher

Sam is Montessori Trained, CDA certified, CPR and First Aid Trained. She earned her Early Childhood degree in May 2022. Samantha joined the Giggle and Grow Staff in January of 2019.

Nancy Hulbert: Program Coordinator and Lead Pre-K "Sweet Peas" Teacher

Nancy started at Giggle and Grow in September 2013 and is known as the Teacher who wears many hats. She resides in Wayne and has always enjoyed being the teacher who opens our school each morning. Her breakfast crew enjoys their mornings with Miss Nancy and she embraces many other responsibilities at the school to keep it running smoothly. She is CPR and First Aid trained.

Linda DeGennaro: Sprouts Teacher

Linda began at Giggle and Grow in September of 2016. She is CPR and First Aid Trained. Her compassion for caring for our youngest children is exceptional.


Marissa Romano: Pre School Three 's "Pea Pods" Teacher

Marissa joined Giggle and Grow in September 2017 and is CPR and First Aid Certified. She has grown with our program, starting out as an assistant, and presently can run her own group at the school. She offers to help out in all the rooms and is our "tech teacher" when we need technology help.

Jennifer Ramirez- "Sprouts and Tod Pods" Co-Teacher

Jennifer began in September 2014 when we opened our Sprouts room. She was the Co-Baby Teacher. We loved having Miss Jenn for 2 years and then she decided to stay home with her children during their school years. She ran her own In-Home childcare program for 3 years and returned in Oct. 2020 to the position of Kindergarten teacher. Jenn is CPR and First Aid trained.

Laura Rikowich: Toddlers-2 1/2 year old "Tod Pods" Teacher

CPR and First Aid Trained. Laura earned her CDA certification in the spring of 2019. She has been with Giggle and Grow since 2014. Her patience and love for working with our toddlers is outstanding. Laura is always willing to help out in any way she can. She loves her toddlers and her years of experience in caring for children makes her shine.


Cary Taveras: Pre-K "Sweet Peas" Teacher

Cary has an Associated Degree In Early Childhood Education and is pursuing her Bachelors Degree in P-3 at William Paterson University. She is CPR and First Aid Trained and joined Giggle and Grow in September of 2018.

Judit Reyes: Pre-K "Sweet Peas" Teacher

Judit joined our team in September of 2022. She is CPR and First Aid trained. She comes with many years of experience working with young children. We are so excited she has decided to join the Giggle and Grow Staff.

SUPPORT STAFF

Allison Stella
Jackie Beveridge
Amber Smith
Wendy Weidmann
Annamaria Imbruglia
Olivia Cox
Arieta Banusi
Eszter Kemény

More than just a joyful place