Women often have to choose between staying at home to raise their children and earning an income to help support their families.
More than 25 years ago, Lucille Saponare of Westport decided to start her own daycare business called Little Angels, so that she could have “the best of both worlds.”
“I love children,” said Lucille, a Stamford native who grew up in a large Italian family. She and her husband, Joseph, a travel agent and dog warden for the Town of Westport, have raised four children: Joe, 32, Nicole, 31, Gina, 28, and Melanie, 23.
“I’ve always loved watching little kids grow and develop,” she said. “It’s fascinating for me to see them constantly learning. I feel my work is very rewarding.”
Over the years, Lucille and her family have forged strong relationships with the families whose children attend the Westport daycare. “It doesn’t end when they leave here and go on to preschool and elementary school,” she said. “My daughters have worked here part-time, and then have been asked to baby-sit and work for the families at night and during the summertime.”
Claire Zielinski said Lucille treats all of the children in her care “as if they were her own.” Years ago, Claire’s daughter was enrolled in Little Angels. Her grandson also recently spent time at the daycare program.
Claire was so impressed by the warm, down-to-earth environment provided for her “angels” that she referred several of her six sisters’ children to the program.
Lucille recalled being stopped by the children’s grandmother, Rose Utz, who wanted to thank her for “straightening out” some of her more exuberant and energetic grandchildren.
“They were all great kids, but I think they appreciated the structure of the daycare,” Lucille said. “We go outside to play twice a day if the weather is good, and we spend a lot of time doing free play inside, too. However, the state mandates that daycares also provide a time to rest, so for more than an hour a day, the kids go down for a nap.”
Because Little Angels Daycare opens early, Lucille has attracted parents who commute to New York City or work at hospitals and schools that also open early.
A former hair stylist and catering manager, Lucille attended classes at Norwalk Community College and received a certificate in early childhood education when she decided to pursue this profession.
And, since founding Little Angels 25 years ago, business has been steady. Lucille is licensed to care for six children at any one time, so the daycare has a mix of full- and part-time students. “Right now I am completely full, but things change because kids graduate or families move,” she said. “If you’re interested in a certain daycare, you should always call.”
Also, the time to reserve a space for your child is early on in your pregnancy, she added. “The mother of one of my daycare kids just told me she is expecting and wants me to watch the baby,” Lucille said. “I need to know this so I don’t fill this spot.”
As she celebrates her 25th anniversary, Lucille is thrilled to have her own grandson, three-month-old Michael Joseph, join the children in her care. Though it was difficult for her daughter to leave her first-born, Michael is thriving and often spontaneously smiles as he takes in the laughter, excitement, singing and chatter all around him.
Lucille leads the children in music and movement workshops. She also reads to them daily. “It’s important to keep them busy and stimulate their minds and their bodies,” she said.
Because Lucille is an experienced hairdresser, complimentary haircuts are also included in the children’s tuition.
One of Lucille’s favorite parts of the curriculum is working on art projects. For every holiday, parents can expect to receive a handmade memento from their little one. “I’m a mother, so I know how much you treasure anything that your child makes,” she said.
Throughout the week, the children also participate in watercolor, finger painting, Play-Doh, puzzles and dramatic play activities.
When she started Little Angels Daycare, Lucille utilized the space in her family’s living areas. However, the business quickly expanded. One of her clients who was a professional carpenter offered to renovate the home’s downstairs recreation room so that it could house the daycare. Lucille said he was having difficulty paying her tuition, so he offered to barter his services in exchange for weekly tuition.
Lucille was delighted to take him up on the offer. After the renovation, parents entered an open space with bright walls and wall-to-wall carpeting that babies love to crawl on. There are Little Tikes picnic tables for the preschool children to have their snacks, and four highchairs where children sit during lunchtime.
“I love having one big room rather than having it sectioned off with walls, because this way I can see everything that’s going on all of the time,” Lucille said.
A large shelving unit holds games, dolls, fire trucks, musical toys and much more. There is a separate Book Nook, where rows of picture books are placed lower to the ground so that youngsters can make their own selections. A few toys children can climb on and a rocking horse and Little Tikes yellow car are also ‘parked’ nearby.
Though her own children are grown and having children of their own, Lucille has no plans to retire. “It’s still fun and I love what I do,” she said. “The kids make me laugh. They’re adorable and smart and I miss them when they’re not here.”
For more information, 203-227-1358.
