Partnerships

Child Care Resource & Referral programs value teamwork and collaboration. Partnerships that are adaptive, flexible, and empathetic are formed among government, community, child care providers and families to ensure high quality services.

Professionalism

Child Care Resource & Referral programs value professionalism and integrity in all work. It is important to use critical thinking when setting goals and to be accountable in following through with priorities. It is also important to take reasonable risks and evaluate progress in all work, with a focus on ethical practice.

Respecting Diversity

Child Care Resource & Referral programs value sensitivity and diversity within the communities of British Columbia. It is important that all children, regardless of background and lifestyle, are able to access inclusive, high quality child care. Also, ensuring that all families have access to support services.

Lifelong Learning

Child Care Resource & Referral programs value the importance of a continuum of education, training, and experiences for learning by staff, child care workforce, child care providers and families in order to meet children’s needs.

Well-Being for All

Child Care Resource & Referral programs value the health, safety, and well-being of children, families, care providers and staff within the community.

Information

Child Care Resource & Referral provide information, support and training to child care providers and offer services such as: business information, workshops, networking opportunities, supportive home visits, access to lending libraries and equipment, referrals to community resources, listing in a registry of child care providers. CCRRs provide families with child care referrals, quality child care resources, Affordable Child Care Benefit assistance, consultation, support, lending libraries and in some communities, drop-in programs.

Government

Child Care Resource & Referral work under contract to the Ministry of Education and Child Care. They also work with other provincial ministries, and with departments, boards and committees at the national, regional, and municipal levels as needed to promote various aspects of quality child care.

I joined the Child Care Resource and Referral team in July 2022.  My consultant role is to enhance the availability of inclusive quality care within the Southeast Kootenay Region, to support families in accessing quality care, and provide child care professionals with the resources and training opportunities needed to enhance their learning and their programs. I oversee the daily operations of the Toy Lending Library and educational resources as well as keeping “Crafty Creations” well stocked with non-toxic craft supplies.

Education

• Early Childhood Certificate
• Training and experience supporting children with exceptional needs

Previous Work Experience

I have worked as an Early Childhood Educator for the past 36 years. I started my career in Cranbrook, working in a Child Development Centre for 9 years.  There I gained a wealth of experience, education and training to support children with exceptional needs.   For the past 24 years I managed an inclusive preschool program in Cranbrook that not only allowed me to mentor Early Childhood Education students, support workers and volunteers, but also provided me the opportunity to provide quality inclusive child care. It’s a job I loved doing.  The skills I gained as an Educator gave me the opportunity to step into a Behavioral Interventionist role as well, which was a part-time position I held for 8 years.

I have worked for SKCCRR since 2022. In my role as a consultant, I provide support to child care providers/workforce, families and community partners. Once a month I go to child care programs in the Elk Valley and Kimberley areas for outreach – delivering toys, craft supplies, and joy. I also contribute to the maintenance of the toy lending library and helping community partners and families to have access to that.

Education

• Early Childhood Educator Certificate / Current license to practice as an Early Childhood Educator
• Certification in Business Office Skills

Previous Work Experience

Compared to my colleagues, I am relatively new to the field of Early Childhood Education. I took my ECE certificate course at the College of the Rockies here in Cranbrook in the 2017-18 school year. I’ve been working in the Child Care Workforce from September 2018 as an Early Childhood Educator and as a support worker for East Kootenay Supported Child Development.

I joined the SKCCRR team in December 2024. In my consultant role I support families and child care professionals in the Southeast Kootenay region. I am the mother of a 22-year-old student, musician, and outdoor enthusiast. I love cooking and eating, listening to music, knitting, and spending time outside. I look forward to meeting everyone!

Education

• Early Childhood Educator Certificate
• AMI Montessori Diploma, Casa dei Bambini
• Parent-Child Mother Goose Program Teacher
• Clinical Herbalist
• Bowen Practitioner (Qualifying)

Previous Work Experience

I started in the Early Learning field in 1995, when I assisted in a Montessori Casa classroom in Peterborough, ON. This was my first experience in a larger group setting and began a career spanning many decades. I’ve played and learned with children in a variety of settings and age groups in Ontario: Montessori Casa (Preschool) programs; Infant Environments; Toddler Environments; Preschool Environments; and most recently, School-Aged Environments. I also owned and operated a Licensed Montessori Preschool in Peterborough.