Michelle DeJong | Director
Michelle has been the Director of our centre for the past four years and brings more than 16 years of experience working in early childhood education. Her passion for working with children began with a simple love of watching them grow, learn, and develop into confident individuals. When the opportunity arose to work in childcare, Michelle knew it was the perfect way to combine that passion with meaningful work supporting families and young learners.
Michelle holds her Level Three Early Childhood Education certification and is also certified in First Aid and Food Safe. As Director, she is committed to creating a safe, welcoming environment where children, families, and staff feel supported and valued.
Michelle believes strongly in play based learning and the importance of curiosity driven exploration. She values classrooms where children can collaborate, problem solve, create, and experiment through hands-on experiences that build confidence and independence.
Children often know Michelle as energetic, caring, and a little bit loud (in the VERY best way). She enjoys spending time in the classrooms during circle time, messy play, and sharing moments of laughter and silliness with the children.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys shopping, organizing, spending time with family and friends, and making the most of the summer months. One of Michelle’s greatest joys is seeing children she once cared for as toddlers grow into confident young adults.
Mary Holmes | Assistant Director
Mary has been part of our team for five years and brings more than seven years of experience working with children. She has always loved being around children and finds joy in watching them grow, gain confidence, and develop new skills during their early years.
As Assistant Director, Mary supports both the children and staff while also spending time in the classroom creating meaningful learning experiences. She especially enjoys circle time and engaging children through singing, dancing, and games that encourage participation and connection.
Mary has completed professional development training including Beautiful Minds and Where the Wild Things Are, which focus on supporting neurodiverse children and providing effective supervision. The children in her care would likely describe her as fun and silly, bringing energy and laughter to each day.
Mary believes play based learning allows children to explore through hands on experiences, open ended materials, and meaningful interactions with peers. She also believes childcare centres play an essential role in the community by providing a safe and nurturing environment where children can develop important social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills.
Outside of daycare, Mary enjoys singing, playing games, and going for walks. One of her favourite moments was seeing a child successfully use their words to express frustration instead of reacting physically.
Christine Desautels | Early Childhood Educator
Christine has been part of our team for four and a half years and brings more than 12 years of experience working with children. She holds both an Educational Assistant diploma and an Early Learning and Childcare diploma, and she is a Level Three Early Childhood Educator.
Christine was inspired to work in childcare by the joy of watching children discover and understand the world around them. She especially loves those “aha” moments when a child’s curiosity is sparked and a new idea begins to click. The children in her care know her as dependable, fair, and consistent, creating a calm and supportive environment where they feel safe to learn and grow.
One of Christine’s favourite parts of early learning is loose parts play, where children are free to explore, create, and problem solve in their own unique ways. Whether they are building forts, designing with recycled materials, or creating artwork together, she loves seeing creativity, teamwork, and confidence develop through play.
Outside of daycare, Christine enjoys walking her dog in nature, taking photos, collecting coffee cups and unusual rocks, and cheering on the Edmonton Oilers.
Some of Christine’s favourite moments come from the simple everyday conversations with children, where connection, understanding, and trust begin to grow.
Robert Lamoureux | Early Childhood Educator
Robert has been part of our team for the past year and enjoys creating a calm, supportive environment where children feel encouraged to explore and grow. His interest in working with children was first inspired by one of his English teachers, whose positive influence helped shape Robert’s appreciation for learning and mentorship.
Robert holds his Level One Early Childhood Education certification and is trained in First Aid. The children in his care would likely describe him as cheerful, kind, and quiet, bringing a calm and steady presence to the classroom each day.
One of Robert’s favourite parts of working in childcare is watching children discover new things and gain confidence as they grow. He especially enjoys activities where children can build, create, and use their imagination in hands on ways.
Robert believes childcare centres provide children with a safe and nurturing environment where they can learn important social, emotional, and developmental skills while feeling supported and cared for.
Outside of daycare, Robert enjoys rock climbing and playing guitar. Music has always been an important part of his life, and he has performed live on many occasions.
One of Robert’s favourite moments at daycare was when a child who had previously refused hugs finally came over and gave him one, creating a meaningful moment of trust and connection.
Della Oliver | Early Childhood Educator
Della has been part of our team for the past year and brings more than five years of experience working with children. Watching children grow, develop confidence, and reveal their unique personalities is what makes early childhood education so rewarding for her.
Currently enrolled at Portage College, Della is working toward her Level Two Child Care certification. She is also trained in First Aid and continues to expand her skills through professional development opportunities.
Outdoor play is one of Della’s favourite parts of the day. Time outside gives children the freedom to explore, stay active, and discover the world around them through play and movement.
Dramatic play is another activity she loves observing in the classroom. Watching children pretend to cook and happily share their “meals” with friends is always a fun and heartwarming moment.
Della believes childcare programs play an important role in supporting families while helping children grow within their communities and build important social connections.
Outside of daycare, Della enjoys fishing and camping. She also has a unique claim to fame, having appeared in the slideshow video during The Tragically Hip’s final performance in Ottawa. One of her favourite moments is arriving at daycare and being greeted by excited children running over for hugs, filling the room with energy and laughter.
Elizabeth Rentz (Miss Lizzy) | Early Childhood Educator
Lizzy has been part of our team for three years and brings many years of experience caring for children. Growing up as the oldest sibling in a large family, she helped care for her six younger siblings from a young age. With her mother also working in childcare, Elizabeth was naturally drawn to the field and welcomed the opportunity to work with children professionally.
Lizzy is currently enrolled at Portage College working toward her Level Two Early Childhood Education certification and is trained in First Aid. The children in her care would likely describe her as loud and silly, bringing lots of energy, laughter, and fun to the classroom.
She enjoys singing and dancing with the children and believes these activities help create joyful learning moments while encouraging creativity and confidence. She believes play based learning encourages children to explore, play, and discover the world around them while educators guide and nurture those experiences.
Lizzy believes childcare centres help strengthen communities by supporting families and creating a caring environment where children and parents can build relationships and feel connected.Outside of daycare, Lizzy enjoys painting, drawing, embroidery, wood burning, and many other forms of creative art. She also has post secondary education in children’s book illustration. One of her favourite moments is hearing a child say her name for the first time or tell her “I love you.”
Emily Hoffman | Early Childhood Educator
Emily joined our team about a year ago and brings a warm, playful energy to the classroom. Her love for working with children began early when she spent several summers, from ages 12 to 14, helping at a summer camp. During that time she discovered how much she enjoyed learning and playing alongside children and creating fun, engaging experiences with them.
Emily holds her Level One Early Childhood Education certification and the children would describe her approach as fun, caring, and a little bit silly. She especially enjoys joining children in their imaginative play and engaging with the creative worlds they build. Whether it’s playing “family” with unexpected toys or jumping into the many activity centres set up throughout the day, Emily loves being part of the stories and scenarios the children create.
She believes childcare helps foster a strong sense of community by bringing families together and creating connections among parents, children, and educators.
Outside of daycare, Emily is a bird enthusiast and enjoys spending time watching birds and collecting interesting rocks she finds outdoors.
For Emily, the most meaningful part of her role is building genuine connections with the children she works with each day and being part of their growth, learning, and everyday moments of discovery.
Lorraine Price | Early Childhood Educator
Lorraine has been part of our team for three and a half years and brings a wealth of life experience and compassion to her role. Inspired by raising her own children and working with children throughout her life, Lorraine discovered how meaningful it is to support young learners as they grow, develop confidence, and discover new abilities.
Lorraine is currently working toward her Level Two Early Childhood Education certification, with plans to continue on to obtain her Level Three Diploma. She also holds First Aid certification and has completed Trauma Aware training.
Over the years she has worked with children in many settings, including teaching horse riding lessons, running pony camps, and working in an elementary school as a noon hour supervisor and educational assistant.
Lorraine believes children learn best through exploration, imagination, and hands on play. She loves creating sensory experiences where children can investigate textures, materials, and ideas at their own pace while building curiosity and confidence.
The children in her care might describe Lorraine as playful, compassionate, and a little messy in the best way. She enjoys being silly, making story time fun, and fully participating in creative activities.
Outside of daycare, Lorraine enjoys reading, learning new things, and spending time on her acreage with her daughters and horses.
Jill Badry | Early Childhood Educator
Jill has been part of our team for three years and brings more than 30 years of experience working with children. She holds her Level One Early Childhood Education certification and has spent many years supporting children as they learn, grow, and gain confidence.
Jill enjoys being around children and finds it rewarding to watch them develop new skills over time. While she may describe herself as quiet, the children in her care quickly discover that she is also fun and enjoys engaging with them through creative activities and play.
One of Jill’s favourite activities with the children is arts and crafts. She enjoys giving children open ended learning opportunities where they can explore their creativity, experiment with different materials, and express themselves in their own unique ways.
Jill believes childcare programs are an important resource for families in the community. They provide parents with reliable support while creating a safe environment where children can learn important social and developmental skills.
Outside of daycare, Jill enjoys playing games, shopping, and spending time relaxing.
For Jill, the most rewarding part of her work is watching the children in her care grow and progress, knowing she has played a role in supporting their learning and development.
Karlee Leclercq | Early Childhood Educator
Karlee has been part of our team for nearly three years and enjoys being part of a career that is both meaningful and rewarding. She holds her Level One Early Childhood Education certification and is trained in First Aid.
Before joining the daycare, Karlee had not worked professionally with children, but her experience as a mother of two grown children and grandmother to a three year old granddaughter has given her a deep appreciation for the importance of early childhood development. She brings a caring and nurturing approach to the children in her care, helping them feel safe, supported, and encouraged as they learn and grow.
Karlee’s favourite part of the day is outdoor play. She enjoys watching the children explore freely, use their imaginations, and discover new ways to interact with the world around them. She believes play based learning allows children to choose activities that interest them, explore their environment, and develop creativity and independence.
Karlee believes reliable childcare is essential for strong communities because it allows parents to go to work knowing their children are safe and well cared for.
Outside of work, Karlee enjoys thrift store shopping, restoring wood furniture, and gardening.
For Karlee, every day at daycare brings new memories, and she treasures the special moments created with the children each day.
Nina | Early Childhood Educator
Nina joined our team seven months ago and brings more than 12 years of experience working with children. She is passionate about making a positive difference in young people’s lives and creating a classroom environment where children feel supported, encouraged, and excited to learn.
Nina holds a Bachelor of Science and Religious Education degree from the Philippines. She has completed Montessori training and is certified in First Aid and CPR. She is currently completing her Early Learning and Childcare Certificate and is also registered in the ELCC diploma program.
The children often know Nina as the “guitar player” who makes learning fun. She loves singing, dancing, and playing music with the children, using songs and movement to support creativity, language development, and confidence.
Nina believes play based learning allows children to explore, create, and learn through hands on experiences like games, art, and music. She works to create engaging activities that encourage curiosity and imagination.
Outside of daycare, Nina enjoys reading, singing videoke with her husband and daughter, composing songs, and keeping her home clean and organized.
One special moment for Nina was when a parent shared that their child did not want to sleep without hearing her voice and the lullabies she sings, reminding her how important comfort and connection are for children.
Vikktoria (Vikki) Gray | Early Childhood Educator
Vikki joined our team in October 2025 and brings a joyful, caring presence to the classroom. She holds her Level One Early Learning and Childcare Certificate and is currently completing her Level Two certification, expected in June 2026. Vikki is also certified in Standard First Aid and CPR.
If you asked the children to describe Vikki, they would likely say she is silly, fun, and caring. She loves seeing the world through a child’s eyes, and their curiosity and excitement remind her to slow down and appreciate the little moments that make childhood so special. Her favourite part of the day is outdoor play, where children can explore, move, and discover the world around them.
Vikki strongly believes in play based learning. She follows the children’s interests and builds learning into their play, helping them develop early literacy, math, problem solving, and social emotional skills in natural and meaningful ways.
Outside of daycare, Vikki enjoys reading, fishing, camping, sewing, crocheting, and spending time with her family. She is also proud to have donated over 6,000 ounces of breastmilk to support local mothers and babies.
One of her favourite daycare moments is when the children excitedly point out buses, airplanes, or trains during outdoor play, reminding everyone that the smallest moments can bring the greatest joy.
Sandra Sopotyk | Early Childhood Educator
Sandra has been part of our team for the past 1.5 years and brings more than 20 years of experience working with children. She holds her Level One Early Childhood Education certification and has a diverse background in childcare and education. Sandra previously worked as an Educational Assistant at Thorhild Central School for two years, spent two years working in a preschool, and successfully ran her own dayhome for 12 years.
Sandra truly enjoys working with children and brings a playful, energetic spirit to the classroom. If the children described her, they might say she is silly and fun, especially when music or dancing is involved.
She loves incorporating real life experiences into play based learning. One of her favourite examples was helping the children create a “McSprouts Drive Thru” during café programming, where they could explore dramatic play while practicing communication, teamwork, creativity, and problem solving.
Sandra believes childcare is an important extension of the community children live in. Quality early learning environments help children build confidence, develop relationships, and feel comfortable before they begin school.
Outside of daycare, Sandra loves music and spends a week every summer working at a rock camp. She also enjoys baking, camping, volunteering, and spending time with her family.
One of her favourite moments is hearing the children remind each other not to “yuck someone’s yum.”
Lara Hirschel (“Miss Flora”) | Early Childhood Educator
Lara, known to many of the children as “Miss Flora,” joined our team in September 2025. Her journey into childcare began through volunteering in a daycare, where she discovered how much she enjoyed supporting children as they learn, play, and grow.
Flora brings a strong educational background to her role. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, has completed two years of teacher training, and is a Level One Early Childhood Educator. She is also certified in First Aid and is a mental health informed yoga teacher. These experiences help her create a calm, supportive environment where children feel safe, understood, and encouraged.
The children in Flora’s care might describe her as calm, gentle, and understanding. She enjoys spending time outdoors with the children and leading creative activities like crafts that allow them to explore their imagination.
Flora believes play based learning can take many forms, from building with toys and role playing to creating art or crafts, depending on what interests the children in the moment.
She believes childcare centres are essential for working families and also provide children with opportunities to learn, socialize, and build friendships within their community.
Outside of daycare, Flora enjoys yoga, meditation, spending time with her dogs and chickens, and karaoke.
Abbigail Ouellette | Early Childhood Educator
Abbigail joined our team in September 2025 and brings several years of experience working with children. She was inspired to pursue childcare because she finds it incredibly fulfilling to support children as they build confidence, develop new skills, and grow during their most important early years.
Abbigail holds her Level Two Early Learning and Childcare certification and is trained in First Aid. She has also completed specialized training including Beautiful Minds: Caring for Children with Neurodiversity and Where the Wild Things Are: Providing Effective Supervision.
Children in her care would likely describe Abbigail as kind, patient, and a little bit silly. She especially enjoys circle time, where the children can gather together to share stories, songs, and conversations.
Abbigail believes play based learning allows children to explore, create, and problem solve through hands on experiences. She supports their learning by asking open ended questions and encouraging meaningful conversations, while allowing their curiosity and interests to guide the activities.
Before working in childcare professionally, Abbigail was a cheerleading coach and worked with children between the ages of four and ten. Outside of daycare, Abbigail enjoys baking, taking her two dogs for long walks, fishing, and spending time outdoors with her pets and family.
Thorhild Seeds to Sprouts Childcare Society 