MEET THE OWNERS
Meet the Owners at Reggio Kids – Based in Richmond Hill, ON
Tiziana Ciccone
Founder, President & Curriculum Director
Tiziana graduated from Humber College (1981) with Honours in Early Childhood Education, specializing in Developmental Delays. Adding to her education, she earned a Montessori Teaching Diploma in 1997.
Tiziana has over 30 years of experience working with children and their families and has been the Executive Director of several preschools. Since 1997, her efforts have been directed toward studying the Reggio Emilia approach, fascinated by its unique pedagogy and deep respect for the child as a participant in the learning process. Exploring this approach, she joined several study tours to the preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and has traveled throughout North America and abroad.
In 2013, Tiziana joined the education faculty at Centennial College, teaching students about the Reggio approach. She has acted as a program consultant for other schools, developing curriculum with a strong emphasis on the learning environment. Adding to her accomplishments, Tiziana is also a children’s book author and owner of her own publishing company, Reggio Kids Publications. She currently has seven books published, and many more on the way.
Her company, Reggio Kids, received the 2009 Business Achievement Award. Her books were awarded the Parent Tested Parent Approved Lifetime Seal. She has been recognized on Cambridge's Who's Who 2010 Professional of the year, representing education and authorship as well as being inducted as a lifetime member.
Tiziana is also a children’s book author and owner of her own publishing company, Reggio Kids Publications. She currently has seven children books published, and many more on the way.
She has been recognized on Cambridge's Who's Who 2010 Professional of the year, representing education and authorship as well as 2016 Featured Global expert of the Year in Arts and Literature Canada.
Tiziana is married with three children: Daniel, Matthew, and Liana. She is a proud grandmother of Mateo, Lucas and Thomas.
Livia Mainella
Cofounder, Vice President and Supervisor
Livia Mainella graduated from the Early Childhood Education Program at Humber College with honours, specializing in children with special needs. Livia also holds a Montessori Preschool Diploma. She began her career as an educator 14 years ago after her return from Italy. Livia was introduced to the Reggio Approach in 1997. The hundred languages of children is the focal point of Livia's interest in this unique philosophy. In 2002 she joined Tiziana in the opening of the first location for Reggio Kids, followed by the opening of their second site in 2004.
Livia is married and has two daughters: Alyssa and Taylor.
Tiziana and Livia have also been presenters at conferences, highlighting the work of the children in their schools.
