About Us - Luna Mia Daycare

A Home Away from Home

Hola a todos ! My name is Nicoll, I was born and raised in Temuco, Chile and I ́m the proud mom of 2 beautiful girls.

My journey with children began when I moved to Philadelphia in 2013 as an Au Pair , and over the past years 10 I’ve worked as a caregiver and early childhood educator in South Philly, learning so much from the families and little ones I’ve cared for along the way.

When my oldest Daughter was born in 2016 I realized how few options there were for of Spanish immersion in Early Childhood Education in South Philadelphia. That ́s when the idea for Luna Mia began- a warm,cozy space that feels like an extension of home, where children can learn, play and grow surrounded by love and respect.

I officially opened Luna Mia as a licensed family daycare in 2021.I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to care for so many wonderful children over the years and seeing how parents feel part of this small community – It’s something that makes Luna Mia truly special.

When I’m not at Luna Mia, you will probably find me out biking, running and spending time with my daughters, Rafi and Juli. I really love working with kids and believe the best way to care for them is with kindness, respect, love…and lots of fun.

I can’t wait to meet your family and welcome your child into our Luna Mia community – we are all about cozy vibes, lots of play, and making everyone feel right at home. Reach out anytime – we’d really love to connect!

Nicoll Valenzuela

Luna Mia Families

"Luna Mia was our first experience sending our son to daycare - and we could not have asked for a better experience. Nicoll is the most loving care giver and our son was so happy and cared for when he was there. She always had the kids doing the most fun and creative activities - all while teaching them both Spanish and English. I highly recommend Luna Mia!"

"I am so grateful to have sent my son to Luna Mia for daycare. He was safe and happy and we couldn't be happier with the care he received from Nicoll. He had so many good experiences there - he played outside everyday, did sensory and craft activities often, and loved playing with children his age. He also heard and practiced a lot of Spanish. I absolutely recommend Luna Mia!"

"Luna Mia is the absolute best! When we were in need of child care, mid-pandemic, it was so nice to know that our little one was going somewhere safe, where he was loved and cared for every day. The peace of mind sending him to Luna Mia gave us was beyond priceless. We only departed Luna Mia because we moved, but we would still be there today if we were still based in the city. Nicoll is so thoughtful, and she is a skilled educator. I cannot recommend Luna Mia and Nicoll enough!"

"Luna Mia is a blessing to my family and we are so lucky we found this daycare. They made my daughter feel at home, safe, and able to explore her creativity and her voice. They were constantly learning through play in addition to more structured creative and cooperative activities. My daughter grew so much in her communication and her care for others. We will miss them so much!"

"This wonderful little family business offers all the "cariño" and safety your child will need. Comfortable, intimate and efficiently run by its capable owner, Nicoll Valenzuela, you'll get everything you expect from a top day care and the plus of a bilingual setting. "

"If I could give 6 stars I would! Luna Mia Daycare is such an amazing place. From the second we met with Nicoll, we knew we wanted our daughter to attend. Leaving your child for the first time can be scary, but Nicoll is warm and welcoming. The kids were constantly engaging in different activities, plenty of outside play-even in all the elements (which we appreciated, kids need to get fresh air) AND learning Spanish on top! We were so amazed at what our 1.5 year old would come home saying in Spanish. I couldn’t recommend Luna Mia Daycare enough, if you’re lucky to get a spot, don’t pass it up!"

Our daughter attended Luna Mia after a challenging time at a previous daycare where she cried at every drop-off and clearly wasn’t happy. From the very first day at Luna Mia, we saw an immediate transformation in her demeanor—drop-offs became fast and easy, and we could tell she felt safe, loved, and excited to be there. Luna Mia is so much more than a daycare—it’s a community. The environment is deeply inclusive, and the children are kind, respectful, and joyful. It’s obvious that this culture is nurtured by the incredible leadership of the owner, Nicoll. Her presence, patience, and intentional care are felt in every corner of Luna Mia. Watching the kids interact with one another, you could see that they were learning by example—respect, empathy, and cooperation were part of the everyday rhythm. Nicoll supported our family through some big milestones—pacifier weaning and potty training among them—and she guided not just our daughter but us as parents with so much patience and wisdom. Her compassion and consistency helped us find our footing in a new city, and gave us a sense of belonging we hadn’t expected to find in a childcare setting. We stayed at Luna Mia until the very day we aged out, and we truly miss it every day. It was a transformative experience for our daughter and an anchor for us as a family. If you are lucky enough to get a spot at Luna Mia, take it without hesitation.

My daughter went to Luna Mia for more than two years. Nicoll practically was her second mom. All she talked about was how cool Nicoll was and how happy she felt in Nicoll’s care. Nicoll’s care was more than exceptional. She does a lot of sensory play, park picnic, spray playground when weather permitted, and a lot more! She taught my daughter to be independent and kind to others. Never a bad day here! Her waitlist is long but always worth it and it is long for a reason!

Luna mia daycare is such a gem! I feel so lucky to have my son join Nicoll everyday and have this incredible community of parents and kids. I love all the activities the kids do and they are loved everyday.

Our son went here since he was 14 months and I have to say the amount he learned and flourished is beyond 5 stars. I love how Nicoll has created an environment that made my son feel safe, loved and independent.I also love the community we created there.. I am hoping to send my now 6 month daughter there because of how much love I have for this place.