Brentwood Preschool’s dedicated teaching team is being honoured for their creative and collaborative approach to early learning.

The quintet of providers who make up the preschool are receiving a 2018 Child Care Award of Excellence from the B.C. government. 

“It is care providers like the team at Brentwood Preschool who are driving change on the ground,” said Janet Routledge, MLA for Burnaby North. “These educators inspire children to ask questions, use their imagination, work with their community and follow through with their ideas.”

The educators, Julie Kamiya, Cristina Primerano, Melanie Castro Shibaoka, Marina Giovinazzo and Danielle Elliot, are inspiring creative early learning by drawing ideas from the children, their parents and the community.

It was the students’ curiosity over a plane trip that the teachers took that ignited the curriculum on aviation. The children visited the Museum of Flight, designed a blueprint of a large model airplane and, with the help from the teachers, parents and community members, made the blueprint a reality by building the model together. The airplane was big enough for children to ride in as a float during Burnaby’s Hats-Off Day Parade 

Another year, a classroom study on the human body and hospitals led to a visit by paramedics who showed off their ambulance. With the students wanting to know more, the curriculum expanded. From there, with assistance, the children designed their own large model ambulance as well. The ambulance was able to fit a few children who drove it in the annual parade.

“Brentwood Preschool’s early learning program is providing children with meaningful experiences to help them grow,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “Even at a young age, these children are learning to explore their own ideas and collaborate with others to make those ideas come true. The commitment by these talented educators to early learning is evident throughout the community, where collaboration is key and imagination is valued.”  

Parents, caregivers and community members all play an active and vital role in the preschool, as proven by the airplane and ambulance projects. Area contractors were consulted on blueprints, grandparents welded metal parts, while the teachers and parents helped nail, paint and glue.

These educators at Brentwood Preschool also work with local colleges and universities and share their stories of success. They continue developing their own skills to drive innovation in their classrooms.

Quick Facts:

• Brentwood Preschool is one of four child care providers in British Columbia that have been selected to receive 2018 Child Care Awards of Excellence in the provincial category.
• The provincial award recognizes early learning and care professionals (ECL) or teams who work in child-care settings throughout the province and demonstrate excellence in at least one of the following areas:
  • working collaboratively with others, creating cultural safety through culturally competent practice and inclusion of Indigenous language, culture and traditions, ensuring inclusion/encouraging diversity, supporting community efforts and continuous improvement/excellence in early learning.
• The Child Care Awards of Excellence recognize the exceptional contributions that early childhood educators, licensed child care providers, organizations and local governments make throughout British Columbia.
• Award recipients are nominated by peers, parents and local governments. The ministry received 66 nominations for this year’s awards.
• Brentwood Preschool is a parent participation preschool where parents and caregivers are vital to the school’s success. The preschool’s mandate is to provide a positive school experience in a safe environment, where children can play, explore, experience and grow.

Learn More:

View photos from the ceremony here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/31002408098/in/datetaken-public/

For more information about child care in B.C., visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare

Brentwood Preschool: www.brentwoodpreschool.com/