Every May, British Columbia recognizes Child Care Month—a time to honour the essential role child care plays in building healthy families and a strong economy. At YWCA Metro Vancouver, we proudly celebrate our Early Childhood Educators (ECEs), who provide high-quality, nurturing care that supports children’s development and empowers parents.
Across our four child care centres, our dedicated ECEs care for up to 120 children each year. Through play-based learning in safe, inclusive environments, they help children grow, explore, and thrive. All our educators are professionally trained and committed to ongoing development to stay current with best practices in early learning and care.
But what truly sets our ECEs apart is the love and dedication they bring to their work every day. They don’t just care for children—they mentor, support social, emotional and physical development, and help young minds build confidence and resilience. Their work has a lasting impact on both children and their families.
This month, we also recognize staff members reaching work milestones—some who have been with us for an incredible 30 years! In their own words, they share with us what they love most about their roles, their proudest moments, and what they wish more people knew about the profession.
Joyce Hung
Infant Toddler Educator, Emma’s Early Learning and Child Care Centre
How long have you been at the Y?
I’ve been with the Y for 10 years.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
One of my proudest accomplishments is building strong, trusting relationships with the children and families. I’ve worked over the year. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact of consistency, patience, and care in a child’s growth and development.
What do you enjoy the most about your job?
Development. I love being a part of the children’s early learning journey—watching children explore, make discoveries, and develop their unique personalities is so special. It’s also very meaningful to work in a supportive team environment where we all share the same passion for early childhood education.
What is something that people may not know about your job?
People may not realize how much planning, observation, and intention goes into every part of our day. From setting up activities to guiding social interactions, everything we do is designed to support the children’s development in meaningful ways.
Jeanne Chow
Infant/Toddler Special Needs Educator, Emma’s Early Learning and Child Care Centre
How long have you been at the Y?
In September 2025 I will have been at the Y for 30 years
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment is personal growth and development. The child care environment is busy and different each day. I prioritize self-care, taking care of my mental health, setting healthy boundaries, and letting go of people and situations which are not healthy for me. I am grateful for all the lessons I learned as an Early Childhood Educator at the YWCA.
What do you enjoy the most about your job?
I enjoy supporting the children in their development, in their early years, as they begin their journey to become decent human beings.
What is something that people may not know about your job?
Something people may not know about my job is that it is physically demanding. We stand for long periods of time, sit on the floor, and get up constantly, lift children up and put them down, and use our bodies in repetitive ways. Common injuries are low back, hips, shoulders, and wrists.
Amal Nsaif
Child Care Auxiliary
How long have you been at the Y?
I’ve been with the Y since September 2020. I started as a Responsible Adult and have grown so much since then.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment is completing my Early Childhood Education certification while working. It was a big step in my career, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Now, I’m continuing my studies in IT/SN, which is another exciting chapter for me.
What do you enjoy the most about your job?
I really enjoy being part of the children’s early learning journey. Watching them grow, discover, and build confidence every day is something special. Their energy and curiosity always inspire me.
What is something that people may not know about your job?
People may not realize how much continuous learning and personal growth comes with this job. Working with children takes a lot of patience, creativity, and adaptability—and it’s so rewarding to see the impact we make.
To all our ECEs: thank you for your unwavering commitment, compassion, and excellence. You are shaping the future—one child at a time.
Learn more about our four early learning and childcare centres and how to apply here.
