About

Welcome to Acorn Early Education Centre!

Conveniently located at the corner of Hwy 1 and Taylor Way in West Vancouver, Acorn Early Education Centre has been providing child care to North Shore families since 1995. We work in partnership with parents to provide the care, attention and learning opportunities to best meet their child’s developmental needs.

British Columbia Early Learning Framework

Acorn Early Education Centre uses the revised B.C. Early Learning Framework (ELF) as a guide
to promote understandings of childhood, knowledge, education and learning. Disclaimer: excerpts
from this document are used throughout our website for professional purposes only.
The ELF guiding principles are:

• Children are strong, capable in their uniqueness, and full of potential.
• Families have the most important role in contributing to children’s well-being and learning.
• Educators are researchers and collaborators.
• Early years spaces are inclusive.
• People build connection and reconnection to land, culture, community and place.
• Environments are integral to well-being and learning.
• Relationships are the context for well-being and learning.
• Learning is holistic.
(British Columbia Early Learning Framework, 2019)

We are also part of the British Columbia Early Childhood Pedagogy Network (ECPN) and we

have a pedagogist that consults with us on developing pedagogical projects and processes.

Our Staff

Melinda Shard - Owner/Operator

BA in ECCE, Licensed ECE, IT, SN, TESOL, First Aid

Melinda has owned and operated Acorn Early Education Centre since 1995. She also previously worked with the former owner for 10 years. Melinda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in ECCE from Capilano University, and a License to Practice in ECE, Infant/Toddler and Special Needs Education, as well as TESOL Certification (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Melinda has many years of experience as an educator and administrator in preschools, daycares, and programs for children requiring extra support. She also taught in international schools in Mexico and Malaysia. Melinda speaks English and Spanish. Melinda is passionate about the field of ECCE and keeps up on current research. She most enjoys building relationships with children, discovering their individual characters and interests, and sharing in inquiry-based learning with them.

Vicky P.

Licensed ECE, First Aid

Vicky has been at Acorn Early Education Centre since 2016. She obtained her License to Practice in ECE from MTI (now Sprott Shaw College) in 2010. Vicky moved to Canada from the Philippines in 2003, and she speaks Tagalog and English. Vicky enjoys building caring relationships with the children and fostering their creativity through art activities.

Meiqin (Amy) F.

Licensed ECE, IT, First Aid

Amy has been at Acorn Early Education Centre since 2018. She obtained her License to Practice in ECE in 2010, and her IT in 2014, from VCC. Amy moved from China to Canada in 2002, and she speaks Chinese and English. Amy enjoys observing the children to learn about their individual interests, and how she can best help them to grow and develop.

Yuna L.

Licensed ECE, IT, SN, First Aid

Yuna has been at Acorn Early Education Centre since 2019. She obtained her License to Practice in ECE, IT and SN from Sprott Shaw College in 2019. Yuna moved to Canada from South Korea in 2017, and she speaks Korean and English. Yuna particularly enjoys working with the infants and toddlers and she loves watching the children learn and grow.

Vila A.

Licensed ECE, First Aid

Vila has been at Acorn Early Education Centre since 2019. She started with us as an ECE student at VCC and completed the program in 2020. Vila moved to Canada from Iran in 2008, and then moved to Perth, Australia where she first obtained ECE at College Tafe in 2018. Vila speaks Farsi, Turkish and English. Vila enjoys building relationships with children and families, and helping children to grow and learn.