The Little School

Meet Our Faculty

The Little School Faculty

In accordance with the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, The Little School requires all employees and individuals who may be counted in the child-to-staff ratio to provide a satisfactory Criminal Reference Check, including a Vulnerable Sector Check, as part of the hiring process. This requirement applies to all full-time and part-time positions.

Infants Program

Josee

Hello, my name is Josée. In 1986, I began studying for my diploma in Early Childhood Education at Algonquin College and graduated in 1988.  I have been with The Little School since January 1993.  I am the Support Educator in the Infant program. I’ve also worked in the Jr. Toddler program, and I used to teach French to the Jr. Kindergarten children once a week.

I enjoy many hobbies such as reading all types of novels, especially mysteries. Finally, I would simply like to say that I am happy to work in such a wonderful daycare!

Katie

Hi, my name is Katie. I graduated from Algonquin College where I received my Early Childhood Education diploma.

I started working at The Little School in August 1993, and worked in the Toddler program for ten years, followed by one and a half years in the Jr. Kindergarten program. In March 2011 I was very excited to return to the Toddler program after being off for a year on maternity leave. I am now very happy to be part of the Infant program.

One of the things I enjoy most about working with young children is watching and participating in their growth and development not only physically, but also socially.

I am a single mom with two wonderful children, a handsome son a beautiful daughter.

Halat

Rebecca

Jr. Toddlers Program

Judy

Hello, my name is Judy.  I was born in Africa and moved with my family to Peterborough, Ontario, in 1975. I received my E.C.E. diploma in 1987 from Sir Sandford Fleming College in Peterborough.  I moved to Ottawa in June of that year, and shortly after that, I started working with Elsa at The Little School, which was in a different location.  So you could say I am a part of the landscape here!  I am the Head Educator of the Junior Toddler program, and I enjoy working with this age group.  My two children are adults now, but they too have gone through The Little School. 

I enjoy doing crafts, playing the piano and other instruments (when I have the time!). I love the outdoors and anything that has to do with it.  I also enjoy participating in sports.   Most of my time is spent with my family, who are very important to me.

I believe in a saying:  If you tell me I will forget, if you teach me, I will remember; if you involve me, I will learn.

Magatte

My name is Magatte Sall ep Fall. I’m married with two beautiful children.

I did my RECE certification in 2018/19 at Mothercraft College in Toronto, Ontario. I have been working with different age groups for the past few years.

I moved to Ottawa in 2021. I started working at The Little School in November of 2022, and since then, I have gained many relevant experiences that now shape the work I continue to do.

Toyosi

Valerie

Sr. Toddlers Program

Ashley

Najib

My name is NajibI have obtained my diploma in the Community Worker Services program at Herzing College. I completed my internship at The Little School Daycare in October 2019. Following my internship, I was kept on staff and I am currently the acting head educator in the Toddler Program.  I am happy to work with the Supervisors and Educators at The Little School and to benefit from their experience and insight as I learn and grow.  To foster continuous self-improvement and strengthen my abilities, I intend to get my ECE certification in the coming years.

I love working in the Toddler Program as I get to witness the momentous changes in each of the children’s development: every day, I see their growth and the advent of the persons they will become. I am deeply happy to work with tomorrow’s leaders and innovators as I firmly believe that children are the future.

The Little School is an encouraging and nourishing environment that I am tremendously proud to be a part of.

Gerna

Hello, my name is Gerna, and I’m a Support Educator at The Little School. I started working here in August 2020. I’ve always enjoyed being around children, and working here was an excellent opportunity to help them develop from infants to school age. I’m a mother to one baby boy, and we’re both very happy to be part of The Little School Daycare.

Marwa

Oxana

Jr. Preschoolers Program

Stephanie

Hi, my name is Stephanie. I grew up in a small town East of Ottawa, and I have an 8-year-old daughter. In between working and being a Mom, I am taking my Early Childhood Education through an Apprenticeship Program. 

I have been at The Little School since 2008. Throughout the years, I have worked in all six programs. Presently, I am the Head Educator of the Preschool program, and I enjoy it very much!

I gain great satisfaction in helping each child learn and grow every day.

Kayla

Mariam

Ansa

Sr. Preschoolers Program

Kaley

Hello, my name is Kaley, and I started at TLS in the summer of 2019 as a summer student as I completed the child and youth practitioner program at Algonquin College. At this time, I spent time in all six programs and got to know each one of them. Soon after graduating, I accepted a full-time position in the toddler program as an assistant educator until April of 2022, when I got the opportunity to become the Head Educator of the Sr. Preschool program where I currently am.

I knew that working with children was my passion from a very young age; it is a challenging but rewarding experience to be a part of.

On my time off, I enjoy camping and being outdoors. I bring that joy to the program and find fun and engaging ways to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.

Parvathy

Emma

Kindergarten Program

Leanne

My name is Leanne Brown, and I am the Head Educator in the Senior Kindergarten Program here at The Little School.

I started my Little School career in 2009 when I started as a supply educator. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work in all of the programs and work with some amazing educators.

I have two children of my own, Connor and Logan. Both of my boys have attended The Little School. Even though they have moved on to big school, they still talk about all the fun times they had here.

I enjoy camping, reading and going on adventures. I have had the opportunity to travel the world and see some fantastic places. My favourite place I have visited so far is Belgium, but I have many more places I would like to explore.

I am very outgoing and friendly, so if you see me around the center, please don’t hesitate to stop and say hello.

I look forward to meeting you.

Support Teachers

Julie

Hi, my name is Julie.  I am a mother of four wonderful children.  The love and care displayed between my children fill my heart with joy.  I ran a daycare at home for about three years when my children were younger.

I’ve been with The Little School since 2011.  I started working in the kitchen and moved on to working in the programs as a Support Educator.  I’ve been able to experience working in all of the programs, which has been enjoyable.  Currently, I’m in charge of the laundry room, but I continue supporting all the programs if needed.

Office

Laurel

My name is Laurel Boutet, RECE. I have been the Supervisor of The Little School since 2019. My adventures with The Little School began in the winter of 1988 when I joined as an Educator in the Toddler program. I stayed on until the arrival of my youngest child in 1994, and at that point became a stay-at-home Mom for 14 years.

I returned to The Little School in 2008 and continued as the Head Educator of the Toddler Program until 2019, when I decided to join the Office team.

I am fortunate to have a wonderful family supporting me, my husband, Marc and my three grown children, Josiane, Denise and René: all alumni of The Little School!

I am a proud graduate of the University of Manitoba with a bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology, majoring in Family Studies. I have been in the childcare field for over 30 years. I love interacting and building relationships with children and people from all walks of life!       

In my role as Supervisor, I have and continue to learn every day! I aim to support the children, the families and, of course, our awesome staff in any way I can. It is a pleasure and an honour for me to hold this position.

My door is always open.

Robyn

Hi, I’m Robyn! I’m the assistant supervisor at TLS, starting from January 2022. I was super excited to get back to a career where my heart lies, caring for children.

 Before coming to TLS, I spent 2 years working as an office administrator for a group of optometry clinics and 6 years working with the 2 childcare programs offered by the Ottawa Catholic School Board. During my time as an office admin, I enjoyed helping clients find the right doctors for them, leading them through the referral process, and just helping people in general. I was also able to play into my other strengths, like organization and problem solving on the fly, as well as grow my skills by taking extra classes at Algonquin College in my free time.

 Still, I missed the joy and reward of working with the next generation that I got when working with the OCSB! The extended day program took care of kindergarteners all the way up to kids in grade 6, so I have experience working with a range of ages. In the corporation, I gained 1 year of experience working with Toddlers. During my time with the OCSB, I supplied as an EA (educational assistant) in the classroom, working directly with children who had special needs and/or behavioural needs.

 I was the acting supervisor for my last 2 years with EDP. Through this experience, I was able to learn that this was the career path for me, where I can bring together my passion and my strengths to help people grow!

My future plans are to continue to grow myself with TLS while working hard toward becoming a registered early childhood educator. In my spare time, you can catch me taking hikes with my friends in the summer and snowboarding in the winter, spending time with my family, and cuddling up to my two dogs.

Katia

My name is Katia, and I am currently the Administrator at The Little School Daycare. I completed my studies in Business Administration and have been travelling and working in different cities around the world.

At the beginning of 2018, I got married to an amazing Mexican-Canadian man I met during university. Since then, I feel very proud and grateful to call Canada home and be part of the TLS family.

Kitchen & Maintenance

Francine

Hello-Bonjour, my name is Francine and I am presently the Cook for The Little School. I graduated in 1979 from Sault-Ste-Marie College of Art and Technology where I studied in the Chef Training Program.

My experience in Art Culinary starts from working in reputable Hotels and Senior’s’ Homes and my field of creativities expanded while working for bakeries and caterers for many years.
Now, at The Little School Daycare it gives me great, rewarding pleasure to share my skills in this young and enthusiastic environment!

Margarita

Hello, my name is Margarita and I’m from Mexico. I came to Canada in February 1998.

I started to work at The Little School in September 1999, as a Cook’s Assistant and I really enjoy my work. I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling with my daughter to her swimming competitions, and playing with my granddaughter.

Martin

Hi my name is Martin. I was born and raised in Mexico. I came to Canada with my family in August, 2005. For several years I worked in maintenance and carpentry in different places in Mexico.

I am also a professional soccer coach and soccer is my passion.