Tag: Child care

Cindy Chisolm celebrates 20 years in child care at CNH

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Cindy Chisolm for over 20 years of service!

Cindy Chisolm

In 2004, Cindy started as a childcare worker in CNH’s toddler program. Five years later, she transitioned to a role as school-age coordinator in our Graham Bruce and CNS programs.

Today, she is a coordinator with the Renfrew School-Age Child Care program. Cindy is described as someone who “puts everything into her work.” This includes ensuring a quality program and the utmost creativity with annual art shows Cindy hosts with her team and program participants.

Cindy says she has stayed at CNH for so long because it doesn’t feel like a traditional workplace At CNH, Cindy says it feels like a community and a family where people genuinely care about each other.

While Cindy holds many favourite memories at CNH, one experience she will never forget is a trip to Reggio Emilia.

“It was such a fantastic learning experience,” she says. “I know for myself and many others who went on this trip, it showed that CNH values the work that we do as [Early Childhood Educators] by providing us this opportunity.”

As a result of starting in the toddler program, Cindy has had the honour of working with some children from their toddler years through Grade 7. They are now in university and still come to visit. “I love the connections made over the years,” Cindy says.

A more recent memory would be watching a child with low self-esteem, who thought she wasn’t good at anything, beam with pride during the art show as she led the school principal around. And later with such joy as she showed her mother what she had done.

Congratulations, Cindy!

Learn more about career opportunities at CNH at cnh.bc.ca/careers.

November 8, 2024
Im Mei Kwok celebrates 20 years in child care at CNH

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Im Mei Kwok for over 20 years of service!

Im Mei Kwok

Im Mei has worked with CNH for over 20 years. Currently with the Duke Street Early Learning and Care Centre team, she first started as a childcare worker on Nov. 3, 2003.

Im Mei has a passion for teaching children many different concepts and skills; she introduces different activities and stories to them with excitement and joy. Described by her colleagues as scholarly, resourceful, thoughtful and positive, she is also described as “a gentle, loving teacher to the children.”

Im Mei said that she has stayed with CNH because she has been part of a good team over the years. To the team, they say Im Mei is like family to them.

Congratulations, Im Mei!

Learn more about career opportunities at CNH at cnh.bc.ca/careers.

November 1, 2024
Celebrating over 25 years in child care

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Soudabeh “Soudi” Babaie, one of our childcare workers, for over 25 years of service!

Soudi (left) and her colleague, Sabrina Bantog, at CNH’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.

Soudi started as a childcare worker at CNH on Oct. 11, 1998. Today, she continues to work in childcare at the Duke Street Early Learning and Care Centre where her years of experience complement her compassionate nature.

Described as caring, considerate and understanding among her colleagues, Soudi is also known for her sweet, gentle and loving manner with the children in our programs. Soudi credits her 25+ years at CNH to the support of her colleagues and has built many deep relationships as a result. Soudi’s colleagues say she is equally supportive and like family to many of the childcare workers at CNH.

Soudi loves running, reading, hiking, sewing and knitting, and plans to travel more.

Congratulations, Soudi!

Learn more about opportunities at CNH at cnh.bc.ca/careers.

October 11, 2024
Applications open for the 2024 Early Childhood Education Scholarship
The Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) Board of Directors is proud to provide a scholarship of $750.00 in honour of a long-term staff Nina Vacca.

Nina passed away in 2021. Nina arrived to Canada as a refugee and was a lifelong learner; she pursued her Early Childhood Education Certificate later in life.

Nina worked at CNH as a manager of the LINC Childcare Program; she was also a childcare worker in the Families Branching Out Program and Family Place. She always showed a lot of love an care in the work she did with children.

Her contributions and work did not stop with her caring for children at CNH: she volunteered in her community every year to organize events for the Chilean community.

At CNH we want to celebrate Nina’s legacy by offering this scholarship to newcomer women and girls, including those who identify as trans or non-binary.

How to apply
1. Download and fill out the application at this link or get an application form from reception at CNH (5288 Joyce St)
2. Email the form to info@cnh.bc.ca or hand it into reception by deadline
Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 5 pm.
July 18, 2024
Jyotsna Patel celebrates 15 years in child care at CNH

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At each year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Jyotsna Patel for 15 years of service. Here’s what Sabrina Bantog, Child Care HR Manager, had to say about Jyotsna:

Jyotsna has been a childcare casual with the Department of Early Years at CNH since March 4, 2008, where I have had the pleasure of both working with and supervising her. As a casual, she works in multiple programs, sometimes with very little notice for a shift start time. Jyotsna is flexible and always wants to work as much as possible. There have been multiple occasions when she has worked in the same program for months at a time.

Her colleagues describe her as being helpful and hard-working and say she is always friendly with the children and staff. She is very generous, kind and thoughtful. When asked why Jyotsna has stayed with CNH for so long, she said it’s because she likes CNH, she likes the children and she simply just wants to stay with us. Jyotsna says that when she started working with small children at CNH she just had to continue.

We thank and appreciate Jyotsna for her dedication and commitment and want her to know that she is so valued. Congratulations, Jytonsa!

To learn about current career opportunities at CNH, visit www.cnh.bc.ca/about/careers.

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Pictured: Sabrina Bantog (left) and Jyotsna Patel at our 2023 AGM.

January 16, 2024
Walda Gorn: 25 years in child care at CNH

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Walda Gorn for 25 years of service. Here’s what Diana Taykandy, Operations Child Care Program Manager, had to say about Walda:

Walda began her journey at CNH just over 25 years ago. In 1997, she started as a practicum student in our preschool program. Once she completed her Early Childhood Educator (ECE) coursework, she returned to CNH to complete 500 hours of volunteer work to obtain her license to practice in childcare. At this time, Walda volunteered in both of our preschool and infant/toddler programs.

Eventually, a part-time position became available in our infant/toddler centre and Walda applied. With her experience at CNH, it was no surprise she was hired for the role. Shortly after, a full-time position opened with our childcare team and for years, Walda worked happily in the infant/toddler program, learning, growing and always caring for our under-threes. Over time, it became clear that Walda was continuously willing to learn, discover and improve her programs. She was also keen on honing her own skills and knowledge in the industry.

In 2013, Walda became a program coordinator at CNH and that’s where we still find her. We are so fortunate that Walda did all her early learnings with us. Today, Walda works with eight educators in the infant/toddler program, most of whom have been working together for many years. Needless to say, a team working together as long as they have, share a special connection.

When asked what made Walda stay with us for so many years, her initial response was that she loved the team she worked with. Ultimately, Walda says she felt (and still feels) that CNH is her place. Walda also lives nearby and has been a part of the local community for a long time. In fact, Walda’s family has spent time helping in both our infant/toddler program and CNH as well. Walda’s husband, for example, has supported our childcare centres by doing odd jobs, such as painting, pressure washing and building furniture. Additionally, he has always been a huge support to Walda, who in turn is always looking out for the very best in her programs.

Walda is dedicated and self-motivated, which is only part of what makes her the special person she is today. It has been a pleasure working with her all these years and we look forward to many more. (We are not kidding, Walda says her future plans are to continue working at CNH.)

Thank you, Walda, for all that you do every day. We are so fortunate to have had your entire career take place at CNH!

To learn about current career opportunities at CNH, visit www.cnh.bc.ca/about/careers.

October 31, 2023
Applications open for the 2023 Early Childhood Education Scholarship
The Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) Board of Directors is proud to provide a scholarship of $750.00 in honour of a long-term staff Nina Vacca.

Nina passed away in 2021. Nina arrived to Canada as a refugee and was a lifelong learner; she pursued her Early Childhood Education Certificate later in life.

Nina worked at CNH as a manager of the LINC Childcare Program; she was also a childcare worker in the Families Branching Out Program and Family Place. She always showed a lot of love and care in the work she did with children.

Her contributions and work did not stop with her caring for children at CNH: she volunteered in her community every year to organize events for the Chilean community.

At CNH we want to celebrate Nina’s legacy by offering this scholarship to refugee and immigrant women.

How to apply
1. Download and fill out the application at https://bit.ly/nina-vacca-scholarship-2023 or get an application form from reception at CNH (5288 Joyce St)
2. Email the form to info@cnh.bc.ca or hand it into reception by deadline
Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 at 5 pm.
August 11, 2023
CNH: A place of family and home for long-time staff member Sabrina Bantog

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Sabrina Bantog for 25 years of service. Here’s what Alison Merton, Director of the Early Years, had to say about Sabrina:

“I have been fortunate to work with Sabrina since 1996.

“Sabrina grew up in Vancouver. She attended Langara College to study Early Childhood Education. In 1996, Sabrina began working in Family Place at CNH and did casual work in child care before securing a position in the infant and toddler program. She then quickly moved into management roles within the child care department first in Kindercare, Collingwood Early Learning and Care Centre, and then she became the manager that opened the Terry Tayler Early Learning and Care Centre in the fall of 2012.

“Sabrina’s current role is as a Child Care Manager which requires her to deal with all human resources (HR)-related tasks for the child care staff team, which is quite the task given the amount of staff we have.

“We are so extremely fortunate to have Sabrina’s expertise in HR at CNH. She is kind, compassionate, and always goes above and beyond. She is very well respected by everyone. Sabrina puts the ‘human’ in human resources! She has represented CNH at CUPE and also at many Early Childhood Educator events. She continuously seeks out professional development opportunities and is currently doing courses in HR at BCIT.

“Sabrina says CNH is her home. She felt like she grew up at Collingwood, making many relationships. She has always felt supported and has had many opportunities to learn, grow and advance. She says CNH feels like family. This is likely because her husband Jaime also once worked at CNH and both her children, Alissa and Kyle, attended our child care programs! It’s not unusual to see Kyle here in Friday’s youth program or to see Sabrina’s mom hanging out in the seniors’ programs.

“Sabrina says there are many memories that make her smile, reflecting back. What stands out the most is the trip to Italy to visit the Reggio Emilia programs at their source with her peers and the management team. She will be forever grateful for that opportunity, definitely not something she would have been able to do on her own and it was most meaningful to be able to do this with colleagues.

“She would like to acknowledge all of the wonderful people she has had the pleasure of getting to know over the years. Her continued commitment to CNH, the Early Years department and the Early Childhood Education profession is outstanding. Thank you, Sabrina, for your many years of service and congratulations.”

For information about careers at CNH, visit www.cnh.bc.ca/about/careers. Learn more about family and child care programs at www.cnh.bc.ca/family.

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Top image: Sabrina Bantog at this year’s AGM at the CNH Annex.

November 1, 2022
Child care staff member Maliha Hassan celebrates 25 years at CNH

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Maliha Hassan for 25 years of service. Here’s what Diana Taykandy, Operations Child Care Program Coordinator, had to say about Maliha:

“Maliha Hassan is celebrating her 25 years as a child care staff for CNH. She began her journey on March 19, 1997, when I hired her for a maternity leave position at Sarah House Early Learning and Care Centre. Not too long after she started working, a permanent position became available at Duke Street Early Learning and Care Centre, where she was hired. Maliha worked for four years at Duke Street and when a posting came out for a position at Sarah House, she decided to apply for the position and was hired back at Sarah House. Maliha has been there ever since!

“Maliha truly loves working for Collingwood. She enjoys her Sarah House co-workers, families, and especially the children. She truly loves the children! She has always been a huge support to the program and has also worked there as a manager temporarily. Thank you for always thinking of the program’s needs and always being willing to help in whatever way you can.

“Collingwood means the world to Maliha. She always refers to her workplace as a second home. She couldn’t imagine working anywhere else. She has such a strong, unexplained connection to Collingwood, always letting us know that CNH is her heart.

“Maliha’s favorite work-related memory is actually how she came to name her second child. When Maliha had to go on maternity leave, she promised the manager and staff that she would return, and as a sincere gesture and of course, love for the program, she named her daughter Sarah.

“Maliha fills her days with her passion for shopping, hiking, biking, and traveling. She loves to entertain her co-workers in her home, including celebrations with food and music, and just making connections.

“Staff that know her well and who have worked with her for many years will all tell you that Maliha is kind, generous, patient, and always willing to support you. She is so wonderful with the children and their families and is always making them feel welcome. Maliha has a special way of making anyone who comes into contact with her feel special.

“I know that I have always felt her warmth whenever I have visited her in the program. Thank you for always making me feel welcome.

“Collingwood is very fortunate to have someone like her who cares so deeply about the organization. Thank you Maliha, and many congratulations on this milestone!”

For information about careers at CNH, visit www.cnh.bc.ca/about/careers. Learn more about family and child care programs at www.cnh.bc.ca/family.

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Top image: Maliha Hassan (centre) with fellow child care staff members Sabrina Bantog (left) and Diana Taykandy at CNH’s AGM on Sept. 28, 2022.

October 25, 2022