Celebrating Early Childhood Educators

May is Early Childhood Education Month in Saskatchewan, an opportunity to pause and take a moment to show our appreciation to those who dedicate themselves to providing safe and healthy educational environments for our youngest family members. And if you have any doubt about that dedication, we would like to introduce you to just three examples of the hard-working Early Childhood Educators in our province helping ensure our youngest children reach their full potential.

Analyn De Castro - Group Family Child Care Home Provider, Saskatoon

My name is Analyn De Castro. I am married with two children and I have been working as a child care provider since 2012.

Caring for and nurturing children is my passion.

I love being an early childhood educator (ECE) because I am able to witness the milestones of each child under my care. The children are being taught strong social skills, a positive attitude, respect, love and care for others. Seeing them grow with their learning and behaviour, I can humbly say I feel I am contributing to the community.

As an ECE, we serve as teacher or even second parents to your children. Our facilities are filled with trained personnel who provide young children with everything they need to boost their physical, mental and emotional development. We provide a caring, safe and clean environment for infants, toddlers and school-aged kids.

I appreciate the trust shown to me by the families that bring their children to my home daycare. The children’s safety and their families’ peace of mind are my reward, and it motivates me to continue to improve.

Daisy Kereluk - Executive Director at La Ronge Child Care Cooperative, La Ronge

Since a young age, I knew I wanted to be in the education field and teach young children. I am truly a child at heart. I love exploring, learning, singing, dancing and playing with the children. Any opportunity I get, I am down in the mud with the children, digging for worms or making a mud pie. I have often been called the ‘child whisperer’ for my habit of quickly connecting with the children and creating trusting friendships.

Children are natural learners.

As an educator and director, I have seen first-hand the endless learning opportunities we can offer their curious little minds. When we create engaging and intriguing experiences that spark their curiosity, it is the most rewarding part of the job. I take great pride in watching children’s excitement and wonder prosper.

I began my career in child care in 2008, and I obtained this position in August 2013. La Ronge Child Care Cooperative is a licensed child care centre of 73 children. Many of our parents come to La Ronge from other northern communities to attend the nearby college and continue their own education. Their children spend the majority of the day with us, and during those days they grow and develop in so many ways.

As educators, we have the most important job of all. We nurture, cuddle, hug, play, talk, listen, guide, teach and laugh with our children each and every day. We are of great importance in young children’s lives, and that is because of the passion we hold to provide the best quality care we can. Children learn and develop many milestones in a very short period of time.

When we stimulate and support that growth through positive learning experiences, children will carry those learning experience with them throughout their lives.

Indanah Boechler - Early Childhood Educator Supervisor at Moose Jaw Multicultural Council Inc. Daycare, Moose Jaw

Indanah Boechler began her journey 14 years ago by volunteering at the child-minding program at the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council. After a few months, she was offered a position and has worked there ever since.

As an immigrant to Canada herself, Indanah is someone who can empathize with the ever-changing lives of newly arrived immigrant families. Indanah was drawn to the work of helping newcomer children learn about Canada, getting them ready for Canadian school, teaching them Canadian culture and heritage, and ultimately to helping the children adapt and grow into their new world.

"I love being an early childhood educator (ECE) in this daycare, especially because we are working/helping immigrant children learn about Canadian culture and preparing them to enter the Canadian school system with knowledge of Canadian children’s songs.”

And Indanah wants people to know that the first five years is the most important time in EVERY child’s life, no matter where they are from.

We as ECEs, along with early learning, play an enormous role to help create strong roots, foundation, and self-esteem in children to foster growth and development in every aspect of their lives and to help them to confidently navigate their lives.