Who we are
Our dedicated team is passionate about creating a nurturing and inspiring environment for children to learn, play and grow. Our small but mighty leadership team brings experience and passion to guiding our programs, while our educators are committed to fostering each child’s development with care, creativity and enthusiasm.
Leadership team
Alicia
(She/her/hers)
Associate Director
Meet Alicia
Alicia began working at UBC Okanagan Campus in January 2023.
Before that, she spent six years as an ECE instructor at Okanagan College (OC). Before her time at OC, she was with the Kelowna Child Care Society (now known as Childhood Connections), where she supported child care in the region as the Program Coordinator and Consultant for Child Care Resource and Referral, Kelowna Young Parent Program, and Family Resource Program.
Her background includes working as an Assistant Director, Outreach worker, frontline ECE in Saskatchewan and Ontario and a Child Life Specialist in both BC and Ontario.
In addition to her Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria, Alicia also has her Early Childhood Educator Certificate. Alicia’s career has been focused on children and their families.
She has a personal connection to the child care centre as her children attended and graduated from here when it was run by the University Children’s Learning Centre Society.
Lisa
(She/her/hers)
Operations Manager
Meet Lisa
Lisa has been a part of the Student Housing and Community Services portfolio on the UBC Okanagan campus for ten years.
In her previous position as the Manager of Residence Administration, she demonstrated her ability to navigate the complexities of the waitlists, assignments, administration and operation of all student residence units on campus. In her role, she supported a group of over 2000 students with their housing administration needs. Lisa also collaborated closely with campus partners to foster a cohesive community experience.
Beyond her professional endeavours, she values her time with family, cherishing moments spent with her husband and children. Lisa also enjoys an active lifestyle by engaging in various sports activities.
Kamini (Kami)
(She/her/hers)
Program Manager
Meet Kami
Kami joined UBC Okanagan as the Program Manager in December 2023, bringing over 20 years of experience in the field of education.
Her career has perfectly varied roles, from frontline educator to director of a childcare centre, giving her a well-rounded perspective on early learning and leadership.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Science and a master’s degree in English Literature. Driven by her passion for early childhood education, she pursued an ECE Diploma, a Montessori Diploma, and specialized certifications in Infant Toddler and Special Needs through Ministry of Education and Child Care BC.
She finds the most joy in building strong partnerships with parents, staff and children to create a warm and supportive community.
Outside of her professional endeavours, she cherishes quality time with her family and enjoys exploring new destinations.
Educators
Joann
(She/her/hers)
Senior Educator, 3-5 program
Meet Joann
With a passion for nurturing young minds, Joann has been dedicated to Early Childhood Education since 2008, bringing a wealth of experience from both child care settings and international schools.
Originally from the Philippines, where she began her teaching journey as a Chemistry teacher, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a major in Chemistry, Joann is a strong advocate for ensuring that all children are treated with fairness, equality, and respect.
Her commitment to creating inclusive learning environments is further exemplified in 2024, where she obtained a specialized certificate in working with children with exceptional needs. Joann believes that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive and is excited to continue making a positive impact in the lives of the children in her care.
Kerri
(She/her/hers)
Senior Educator, 3-5 program
Meet Kerri
Kerri has been practicing ECE for the last 29 years, having graduated from Okanagan College’s ECE program in 1995. Upon graduating, she moved to New Westminster.
There, Kerri began working in a 3-5 Program in a group child care. Kerri relocated to Kelowna in January 2003 and started working as an educator at the current child care centre. In 2018, she was offered the opportunity to move programs and become the supervisor in the 3-5 Program.
She enjoys watching the children grow, develop and meet wonderful families along the way. She entered the field for her love of children and passion for making a difference in their lives.
She loves spending time with her family, her partner Jason, and her three girls, Paige, Kennedy and Kate. In the summer, she enjoys boating on Okanagan Lake. In the winter, she enjoys skating and watching movies. She also loves to read and explore our beautiful city by going on local hikes.
Kimberley
(She/her/hers)
Senior Educator, Infant Toddler
Meet Kimberley
Kimberley graduated from the ECE program in 1989 and relocated to Kelowna from Newfoundland in 1992. She has 35 years of experience in the field of early childhood education.
Currently, Kimberley is working as a lead educator in our Infant/toddler program. Shaping young minds has been a delightful journey for her. In 2006, she completed the Infant Toddler program from Okanagan College and focused her career on caring for children under three years of age.
She is passionate about providing care to all children, and it is rewarding to see them reach their full potential in a quality program.
Alanna
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Alanna
Alanna grew up in the small mountain town of Golden, BC. She always knew she wanted to work in child care and was even more inspired to become an educator after becoming an auntie at a young age.
She moved to Armstrong seven years ago, where she began nannying and pursuing her chosen career.
After getting her ECE Assistant, Alanna worked in a Montessori Preschool while continuing her education. She graduated from Okanagan College in 2023 with a Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Alanna specializes in Infant/Toddler care.
Alanna believes that every child is unique and that each child deserves a caring educator who helps foster and grow that individuality. She believes in an environment made of natural objects and open-ended materials that foster creativity and expression. She is committed to creating an inclusive environment and building trusting relationships with families and communities.
In her spare time, Alanna most enjoys spending time with family, the occasional “no-map” road trip, and reading a good book with her cat beside her.
Aya
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Aya
Aya began her career as an educator in Japan. She worked in renowned Child Care centres and Child Development offices in Japan for four years.
In 2019, Aya relocated to Vancouver and further enhanced her qualification by earning an ECE Diploma from Sprott Shaw College. Upon completion, she joined the current centre and is an educator in the toddler classroom. She is inspired each day by watching the children learn and grow. She aspires to provide a fun and safe place to the children and build strong relationships with the families.
She likes singing, dancing, outdoor activities and above all snowboarding.
Bradley
Educator
Meet Bradley
Bradley was born and raised in Alberta and attended the University of Alberta, where he specialized in Genetics.
Following that, he embarked on a restaurant career for the next 30 years until completing his ECE from Vancouver Career College in 2021.
He then worked at Maven Lane as a Room Lead ECE and was excited to join UBC Okanagan Child Care in February 2025.
Bradley is happily married and lives in Vernon with his husband, 3 cats and a small dog. Bradley is a passionate educator, children’s book enthusiast and storyteller.
Brenda
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Brenda
Brenda has been in the child care field for 22 years and specializes in Infant Toddler care. She has worked in this Child Care for fifteen years.
Brenda enjoys being a small part of the children’s lives and creating a warm and safe place for children to learn and grow.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time at her cabin with her family and has found a new love of growing fresh cut flowers.
Camille
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Camille
Camille began her teaching career as an English Language Teaching Assistant in France in 2011. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French with a Minor in International Relations from the University of the West Indies.
During her final year of tertiary studies, the University hired her as a French and Spanish tutor for the Pre-university center. She held this position for three years.
Camille’s interest in early childhood education was sparked after the birth of her daughter in 2020. Her deep desire to understand and implement best practices in child development in her daughter’s early years prompted her to pursue her ECE certification in 2023. Camille became a certified ECE in 2024 and hopes to further enhance her skills by pursuing her studies in the field of children with exceptionalities, as well as a Master’s in Education.
For leisure, she enjoys going for nature walks, reading and spending time with her family.
Carmen
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Carmen
Carmen entered early child care with her Assistant Certificate in 2015. She gained her Early Childhood Educator Certificate in 2016.
Since then, she has been working with children in play-based preschool, licensed group child care and Montessori preschool settings.
In 2018, Carmen finished her practicum at the University Children’s Learning Centre Society and obtained her Infant Toddler Educator Certificate. After that, she worked with the infant and toddler group for about four years. Carmen has the following training: ASQ-3, ASQ: SE-2; Circle of Security; Relationship, Brain and Regulation, etc.
She loves being an Early Childhood Educator, being a friendly teacher to the children, being a trustworthy caregiver to the family, and being a positive and uplifting staff to the community. Carmen believes every child is unique and is passionate about assisting children to grow and develop.
Emilie
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Emilie
Emilie has been all over Canada, being born in Quebec, living in Ontario, getting her Infant Toddler Education and Special Needs Education at MacEwan University in Alberta, and coming to Kelowna in 2021.
Emilie has been an educator for almost 10 years. She spent her high school years as an educator in a day home, knowing early in life she had a strong passion for child care and early learning.
Emilie is passionate about art, passive learning and messy/ sensory play. Emilie identifies with the Reggio Emilia child care philosophy. Reggio Emilia is renowned worldwide for its child-centered philosophy and unique learning environment. It emphasizes the importance of the child’s innate curiosity and natural ability to learn through exploration and hands-on experiences.”
Emilie is a mom of two young children, Jace and Kida. In her spare time, she loves to bake, cook, crochet, hike and go to the beach.
Her favourite quote is from a story called the Worrysaurs: “If it isn’t a happy ending, then it hasn’t ended yet!”
Janet
Educator
Meet Janet
Janet has been working in the Early Childhood field for 34 years. She began her teaching career in the Cariboo area, where she worked in a preschool for 14 years and then relocated to Okanagan.
After a stint of ten years at a day care in Penticton, Janet joined the present centre and has been a valuable educator at UBC Okanagan Child Care since then. She is passionate about working as an early childhood educator as it gives her immense satisfaction to see children learning and growing. In her spare time, she likes to read and garden. She is a nature lover and likes to be outdoors.
Janine
Educator
Meet Janine
Janine grew up in Armstrong, BC. After graduating, she completed her Associate of Arts in Vernon, BC. Janine has always had a passion for child care. She started babysitting as a pre-teen, then nannying for a few families over the years.
Janine started working at a small centre in Kelowna as an ECE Assistant over a summer break at university.
She earned her ECE in 2017 and was working at a large centre in Kelowna. She was the lead teacher in a 3-5 classroom. After seven years, she decided she needed to grow and learn from other educators and started at the Okanagan Child Care Services in 2022. Janine is also trying to complete her Bachelor of Arts at UBCO.
She is passionate about art, circle and messy play. Children’s love, smiles and warm hugs encourage her to work harder.
Janine loves Mickey Mouse and Disneyland. She loves to travel and go on road trips. In the summer, you can find Janine with her boyfriend, 2 stepdaughters and dog Zeus at the beach, camping and 4x4ing around the Okanagan.
Kaitlyn
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn has worked with children for as long as she can remember, from teaching martial arts, working in summer camps, babysitting and working in after-school care programs while completing her ECE certificate in 2016.
Since then, Kaitlyn has worked with all different age groups from Infant Toddler to School Age and enjoys the diversity of teaching that each age group brings. She has experience in both play-based, theme and Reggio Emilia settings.
Kaitlyn strives to bring her favourite pieces from each philosophy to her planning and education.
Kaitlyn believes children learn from their environment through play and discovery, and she truly enjoys learning alongside the children in her care every day.
Outside of working with children, you can find Kaitlyn working as a photographer and nail tech. When she isn’t working, you can find her with her eReader and coffee in hand, adventuring with her dog, or spending time with her favourite people.
Kely
Educator
Meet Kely
Kely began her journey in the child care field in 2015 when she participated in a child care exchange program in the USA. This experience ignited her passion for working with young children and deepened her understanding of early childhood education.
In 2018, she moved to Canada and started working as an ECE Assistant at a Montessori school in Vancouver.
Kely’s dedication to early learning led to obtain Early Childhood Educator certification in 2023. During the practicums, she had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in various early learning environments, including Reggio Emilia, play-based learning, Montessori, and nature-based programs. This exposure allowed me to develop a well-rounded approach to nurturing children’s development.
As a Spanish speaker, she enjoys incorporating language and cultural diversity into the learning environment, helping to create an inclusive space where children can explore and appreciate different perspectives.
Recently, she relocated to the beautiful Okanagan. She enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, swimming, and camping.
Lauren
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Lauren
Lauren is an educator in the 3-5 program and has been in the child care field for 10 years. She fell in love with ECE and graduated from UBC Okanagan with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was inspired by many amazing teachers who left lasting impressions on her life.
From that, Lauren grew a passion for teaching and encouraging children to learn. They are the reason she strives to do the same thing in every child’s life that she gets the pleasure to work with. From a young age, she wanted to guide and support children in their learning.
She started helping facilitate learning and a love of nature as young as 10 years old when she became a Girl Guide and helped with the young age groups in weekly meetings.
As a student, she also received a chance to work with adults and children (school-aged) with diverse needs, which opened her heart further to the joys of teaching.
Manjot
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Manjot
Manjot is a passionate and dedicated educator, bringing with her over five years of experience. She has specialized training in Infant Toddler and Special Needs.
Manjot creates a nurturing and stimulating learning environment that fosters curiosity, creativity and social skills in young children. She believes in building strong, trusting relationships with both children and families. She is committed to inclusivity, ensuring that every child feels valued and understood.
Manjot enjoys exploring nature, reading and participating in community events.
Maya
Educator
Meet Maya
Maya was born in Vancouver but has spent most of her life in the Okanagan. Her passion for children led her to pursue a diploma in Early Childhood Education, during which she completed her practicums at spəqmix. This experience inspired her to join the wonderful team at UBC Okanagan Child Care.
She is in the process of attaining her specialized certificates in Infant Toddler and Special Needs Education (SNE).
Maya strongly values building meaningful relationships with children and families. She believes that every child is capable of achieving whatever they set their mind to. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog and going for hikes.
Nance Joy
Educator
Meet Nance Joy
Nance Joy grew up in the Philippines, where she finished her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and Education, Special Education. She has been in the early childhood education field since 2018.
Nance Joy’s teaching journey started in the Philippines, where she taught Kindergarten. In 2021, she moved to Canada to learn different approaches in the field of ECE. She is a strong advocate of play and hands-on learning. She believes that these are vital components for the holistic development of children. She endeavours to create a conducive play environment for the children to explore and interact with the world.
Apart from being a teacher, she is passionate about playing Volleyball and badminton. She loves reading books, going on road trips and exploring nature.
Natalie
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Natalie
Natalie holds a Bachelor’s degree in dance. Her passion for working with children encouraged her to take an early childhood education assistant course. She is working towards further enhancing her qualifications. Natalie began working in child care in April 2021.
She grew up in a musical family and loves to teach dance and music to children. She also has experience teaching the 3-5 age group creative movement.
She enjoys watching children’s confidence blossom as they explore and express themselves.
Nichelle
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Nichelle
Nichelle started her education journey as an RA working with school-age children in 2019. During this time, she took her ECE certificate at Okanagan College and gradually went from Responsible Adult (RA) to ECE Assistant to ECE.
She then found her passion for working with the infant department, getting her specialization in the subject. Nichelle comes from the theory of process over product. How a child accomplishes an activity is more valuable than the product that is produced at the end.
Nichelle is a very compassionate educator with five years of experience in the field. Nichelle plans to continue her education in the future and keep expanding her knowledge of the field.
In Nichelle’s time off, she spends it with her partner and two cats, relaxing at home. Or Nichelle is on the open roads riding her motorcycle, enjoying the Okanagan.
Rachelle
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Rachelle
Rachelle has been involved in the child care field since 2003. She always enjoyed spending time with/babysitting my younger family members, and that motivated her to continue on the path of working with younger children.
Rachelle has earned the certificates of Early Childhood Education, Special Needs Education and Infant Toddler, and has been engaged in various workshops over the years.
After graduating, she did a year of subbing in a variety of child care centres in Kelowna. With this valuable experience in 2004, she accepted a full-time position as an Infant Toddler educator.
Outside of work, Rachelle likes spending time with friends/family, crafting and enjoying a good movie.
Sarah
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Sarah
Sarah has been in the ECE field for over 10 years. Sarah’s career began after graduating from University with a degree in History. She spent some time abroad as an au pair.
It was through this experience that she discovered a passion for nurturing and guiding young children. This led her to complete her ECE certificate at Mount Royal University in 2012. She then spent several years working in various child care centers in Calgary before opening her own licensed day home in 2016.
After relocating to Kelowna in 2022 with her family, she worked as a CCRR Program consultant at Childhood Connections and continued to foster strong relationships with families, children and child care providers during her time there.
She continuously seeks to expand her knowledge within the ECE field and loves watching children develop, grow and explore the world around them through play.
When she’s not working, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and son, going for walks in nature, playing pickleball, and reading.
Tonysha
(She/her/hers)
Educator
Meet Tonysha
Tonysha grew up in the Okanagan in the small town of Westwold. There, she was raised on a farm and enjoyed the outdoors and a close-knit community.
Her love of children started at a young age, by babysitting others in the community and then progressed to taking an interest in early childhood education in high school.
Tonysha has been in the field of child care since 2013. She spent many years in the field doing Montessori programming. She enjoys being outside with the children to enjoy nature, bringing a love of gardening and animals to the children.
In her time outside of the centre, Tonysha enjoys hiking, camping and swimming with her family and dogs and playing hockey in the winter.