Parents' Perspective

Ellis
Feb 2
2 min read

Updated: Feb 4

Part of a series: Where Education Begins

For Jackie Deschamps and her husband, Steve Krikorian, choosing Ellis for their children felt natural from the very beginning. As neighbors of Ellis’s South End campus, they were thrilled to secure a spot before their first child, Axel, was even born.

The Krikorian Family (L to R): Jackie, Steve, Axel, and Wyn

Axel began in the Infant program in 2023 at just three months old, followed by his younger brother, Wyn, in 2025 at two months. Axel was placed in the Bumblebees classroom with educator Cari, whose thoughtful and nurturing approach helped him feel immediately at home. When it was time for Wyn to start at Ellis, Jackie and Steve hoped he would join the same classroom.

“Being a second-time mom doesn’t make it any easier to go back to work and leave your baby in child care,” Jackie says. “But we trusted Cari completely, and that made it so much better.”

Because Axel and Wyn have very different personalities, Jackie loves seeing how they engage with classroom activities in their own ways. Creative projects — like turning tiny footprints into keepsakes — offer meaningful sensory experiences for the children while giving families lasting memories. “They’re not going to be that small forever,” Jackie reflects.

Jackie explains that Ellis teachers are often the first to notice her children’s developmental milestones. “They see things we might not notice at home because they’re with the babies all day,” she says. From changes in eating and sleeping to new social behaviors, teachers keep families informed so everyone can support the children together. Transitions are handled gradually and gently, providing the structure and routine young children need to feel secure.

The strong relationships Axel and Wyn have built with their teachers continue to make a lasting impact. When Jackie arrives for pickup, Axel still runs in to greet Cari. “That relationship remains strong,” she says.

One day, when Wyn was having a particularly difficult day, his teachers brought him to spend time with Axel, knowing the comfort of his big brother would help him feel calm and supported. “That kind of partnership gives us so much confidence,” Jackie says.

Jackie also sees how Ellis’s infant curriculum supports social growth. “When your kids are in a social environment with their peers, they learn how to connect, share, and practice patience,” she explains. During a family visit to the Museum of Science, she noticed Axel patiently waiting his turn at a train exhibit. “I knew that was a social response he learned from the very beginning at Ellis.”

Looking ahead, Jackie feels confident about her children’s future. “The transition to kindergarten isn’t scary for us,” she says. “We know our kids will be ready to share, make friends, and adapt. That foundation starts in infancy, and as a working parent, that peace of mind is huge.”