About Us
Totem is a bilingual Italian-English preschool in Reggio Emilia, designed to support children during their early years in a welcoming, stimulating environment tailored to their needs.
Our educational program is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach and focuses on listening, relationships, and discovery: each child is embraced for their uniqueness and is free to express themselves through the myriad languages that are their own.
The daily presence of both Italian and English native-speaking teachers makes learning a second language feel natural—it becomes part of play and everyday life, rather than a separate subject.
With nursery and preschool classes, bright and sustainable spaces, and a constant focus on the well-being of children and families, Totem is a place to grow together, on a shared journey of trust and collaboration with parents.
1988
The Totem Nursery School was founded in Reggio Emilia in 1998, born from the desire and vision of a group of women with different experiences in the educational field, united by the goal of offering the city a place where childhood could be listened to, welcomed, and valued in all its potential.
Over time, Totem has become a lively space for pedagogical research, in constant dialogue with the community and with the theories of the Reggio Emilia educational approach, where the school is seen as a space for relationships, languages, and shared discovery.
2010
In 2010, the Totem Nursery School started experimenting with a bilingual program, in collaboration with Reggio Children, the University of Bicocca in Milan, and the family of flutist Andrea Griminelli: this is how the first English-language Nursery School experience in Reggio Emilia was born. The aim is to offer children a second language as a new language to live in, to weave together with play, music, and relationships, in a natural and authentic way. Right from the start, having native-speaking teachers made the interaction between Italian and English lively and part of everyday life.
2013
In 2013, the Totem Cooperative became part of the Ambra Social Cooperative, expanding horizons and growth opportunities for childcare services. This journey was further strengthened in 2022 with the merger with the Proges Social Cooperative, bringing new energy and skills to the educational project.
2016
Since 2016, the bilingual program has been organized into a nursery section (9-36 months) and a preschool section (3-6 years), both mixed-age, to encourage interaction and learning among peers.
2025
During the summer of 2025, the Totem Nursery School went through a major renovation, which refreshed the spaces, making them even more welcoming, sustainable, and child-friendly. The rooms, bright and flexible, are designed as places for connection, exploration, and beauty, where every child can feel part of a community that grows together.
What People Say About Us
