Opening September 2026  ·  Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA

Elevated childcare
for the earliest years.

Two attuned caregivers, four children maximum, and a home nursery designed for close, consistent care.

Join the waitlist
Ages 3 months – 24 months Tues · Wed · Thurs 8 AM – 4 PM
A small wooden archway and cube beside a glass jar of fresh herb cuttings, draped with soft rainbow silks — natural toys and materials from the Infant Atelier home nursery.
Why early care matters

The first two years are foundational.

For infants and toddlers, the quality of care matters deeply. These early years are a sensitive period for safety, trust, regulation, and confidence. At Infant Atelier, care is designed around that responsibility.

Why families choose us

Small by design.

A calmer alternative to daycare.

Close observation

Your baby’s cues, rhythms, and needs are learned over time.

Quieter days

A slower pace, fewer transitions, and less noise.

A home-and-garden space

Natural textures, soft color, fresh air, and water play opportunities.

How we care

A day here.

Calm rhythm. Lively discovery.

We see babies as complete, capable people, exactly as they are. Rather than rushing the next milestone, we notice and support what each child is discovering right now.

A sense of rhythm, not a rigid schedule: changing light, fresh air, water play, song, and the little discoveries babies return to again and again.

  1. 01

    Care from familiar adults

    Cues are noticed. Routines stay predictable. There is time to respond without rushing.

    Steady limits, confidently held

    Respectful care includes steady limits. When big feelings or hard moments arise, adults stay close, calm, and clear, offering support without shame or harshness.

  2. 02

    Play that starts with the child

    A baby reaches, watches, pours, stacks, returns to a favorite object, and tries again. We follow that curiosity, not a lesson plan.

  3. 03

    Sensory-rich materials

    Baskets, blocks, instruments, water, light, and simple objects that invite hands-on discovery.

  4. 04

    Tummy time and free movement

    No walkers, no bouncers. Babies spend real time on the floor, practicing what their bodies are ready for, with close observation nearby.

  5. 05

    An uncluttered “yes space”

    A safe, uncluttered room where babies can move, reach, roll, pull up, discover, and meet appropriate challenges.

    How adults support this

    Adults here are close, calm, and observant. We do not rush to solve every small challenge, but we are never absent. We watch carefully, offer language and support when needed, and give babies room to discover what they can do.

  6. 06

    Outdoor time when possible

    Outdoor play yard time, sunlight, and watching the trees move in the breeze.

    For toddlers

    Older toddlers may also use a mud kitchen and taste-safe sensory garden area.

  7. 07

    Organic meals, eaten together

    Nutritious, age-appropriate real food, offered with patience and shared at the table.

  8. 08

    Potty learning, when ready

    For toddlers, toileting is supported gently when a child shows interest. No rushed training agenda.

    Read more

    When a child is in the sensitive period for learning this skill, we support it with respect, consistency, and patience.

  9. 09

    Baby sign language, woven in

    Simple signs help babies be understood before clear speech arrives.

  10. 10

    A quiet room for naps

    Separate from the play space. Dark, quiet, and peaceful.

Evidence-informed care

Every choice has a reason.

The small group, familiar caregivers, free movement, and open-ended materials are intentional choices, grounded in child development research and pediatric guidance.

Science & sources Read the science behind the approach
Portrait of Jess Makram, founder of Infant Atelier.
Founder

Meet Jess Makram.

Jess has spent 18 years in child development, working with families in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and beyond.

She is a credentialed nanny through the International Nanny Association, trained in RIE®, including the Nurturing Nanny® and Foundations® programs, and a New Parent Educator.

Read more

She is CPR/First Aid certified and holds an Advanced Child Care Training certificate from the American Red Cross. Her work is also informed by training with the Zen Caregiving Project, which deepened her attention to presence, compassionate care, and staying grounded with families.

Her work is shaped by respect, careful observation, and early childhood traditions including Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia.

Her side work as a nanny placement agent also shaped the way she thinks about caregiver-family fit, communication, and the trust parents place in the people caring for their children.

She is also a mother, artist, and New Parent Educator, and understands how tender and full of questions the first years can be.

Parent education workshops for new and expecting parents are planned for the future, with a focus on postpartum planning, infant care confidence, and the everyday questions of early family life.

Selected training and background

  • 18 years in child development
  • Credentialed Nanny, International Nanny Association
  • New Parent Educator
  • CPR/First Aid certified
  • Advanced Child Care Training, American Red Cross
  • Mother, artist, music lover, and lifelong learner
Words from families

Care that stays with you.

Kind words from families about Jess
Now accepting waitlist inquiries

Only four spots.

We expect to open in September 2026 in Silver Lake, in a private location on the south end of the reservoir. If you’re comparing daycare, nanny share, and private infant care, we’d love to meet your family.

Get on the waitlist →
Still deciding? Read the evidence Read kind words