About Piccoline
Founder Mel Nobili is thrilled to bring Piccoline Parenting and Childcare Education to the Chicagoland area and beyond, providing judgement-free education and thoughtful advice to ensure that parents are fully prepared and supported in their endeavors. Whether you’re a brand new parent, have a bit of experience under your belt, or are a nanny looking to advance your career, Piccoline’s classes (pronounced peek-oh-LEAN), will give you the skills to feel knowledgeable, confident, and secure in your choices.
Piccoline also offers phone and video consultations on a variety of topics, such as healthy sleep, proactive discipline, and newborn care issues, but we're also happy to discuss with you a topic based on your needs.
Melissa Nobili
About the Expert
Mel has worked with children for 15 years, becoming a professional nanny and focusing on children under 5, and is excited to share her knowledge and provide a system of support to parents.
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In 2018, she earned a Master’s Degree in Childhood Studies from Swansea University, Wales, where the program focused on an array of topics, including development, nutrition, health, children’s rights, and play theory. She additionally focused on the rights of d/Deaf children and their access to language and play. Her dissertation study examined conventional and alternative healthcare in the treatment of children, and was carried out with participants in both fields practicing in the United States. She has also completed an extensive course designed for Newborn Care Specialists.
In her time as a nanny, she was lucky enough to work with many newborns, was able to help first time parents navigate their new circumstances, and additionally provided personalized Newborn Care and Sleep Training consultations. Her caring demeanor and supportive advice is founded on both her education and experience working directly with parents. During those fifteen years, she saw them struggle with guilt, self-doubt, and even shame.
She created Piccoline as a way to help people approach parenthood confidently, and to provide well-researched assistance with issues such as transitioning to parenthood, sleep training, tantrums, and early boundary setting.
Piccoline's Partners
Amy Trager, Certified Professional Organizer® guides individuals and companies through the stress caused by excess and misplaced stuff by creating calm and peace in the homes and offices of her clients to present them with the opportunity to live the lives they desire and deserve. After entering the organizing industry in 2003, she began working with her own clients in 2006. Amy has a variety of experience, as seen in her appearances on TLC's Hoarding: Buried Alive, Fox News Chicago, ABC 7 Chicago and more; or, in her interviews in The Washington Post, CNN Money, Reader's Digest, Better Homes & Gardens and more.
Find out more at amytrager.com.
Newborn Care Sources
At Piccoline, I’ve been adamant that all of my courses be grounded not just on my personal experience or nanny training, but on peer-reviewed, evidence-based information. With that in mind, here is a list of sources which I used to create the Newborn Care course. I think it is more important than ever to ensure that we’re seeking out scientifically sound information. I’m not a scientist, but I do try my best to ensure that what I’m teaching is up-to-date and accurate, and will continue to do so in all future classes.