We were established in the spring of 1986 as York Professional Day Care. A private, non-profit organization that served child care needs in York Region through nanny and licensed Home Child Care services.  Over the next few years, licensed, childcare sites were opened with a strong focus on education. In 1997 the agency acquired charitable registration and changed the name to York Professional Care and Education, to better reflect the work we do.

Today, we have expanded to offer our services within York Region and Simcoe County and are proud to consider ourselves one of the leaders in outdoor education. We believe that the outdoor environment offers valuable experiences necessary during early childhood. The outdoors naturally offers open-ended materials and endless opportunities for imaginative play.

 

We model our Vision, Mission and Philosophy to help children:

York Professional Care & Education (YPCE) is governed by a Board of Directors (BOD). These individuals come from the business community and are both interested and committed to quality child care. The BOD ensures that the organization’s goals are clearly set forth and attained; and are accountable for its standards and viability.

Board of Directors

Jean Smalley Van den Brink (President) BSc.
Jean has served as a Board Member since 1986. She is currently our Chair. Jean is a former nurse, and is now a business entrepreneur. She has a deep commitment to the work of the Agency. Jean provides strong leadership and donates many hours attending Agency events.

Heather Boccia (Secretary – Ex-officio) BA, CPA, CMA
Heather is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant and has worked with the agency for over 25 years. Heather holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Commerce from the University of Toronto and is certified in Not for Profit and Charity Finance Leadership. Heather currently is the Treasurer of Hope House Community Hospice.

Lesley Loveless B.A.Sc., B.A Ed.
With a major in Child Studies, her credentials include an Early Childhood Education equivalent. Lesley has taught various age groups in childcare and has been an elementary school teacher with York Region District School Board for 28 years. She has taught Kindergarten, grade 1, and is currently teaching Reading Recovery. Lesley was elected to the Board in 2015.

Nicole Murphy CPA, CA
Nicole has an extensive background in the not-for-profit sector, including more than 25 years at the Senior Management level.  Nicole has three children, which had all previously attended YPCE programs. She is a chartered accountant and with over 20 years at Pickering College and is the Assistant Head of School, Finance & Operations.

Heidi Bonner BMus
With over 25 years of experience in non-profit healthcare, Heidi holds the Gold Medal Recipient in Bachelor of Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University.  Heidi has a wide background in fundraising, public relations, communications and education facilitation.

Michael J. Pearson B.Ed.
Michael’s career with children began as an educator with York Professional.  Michael was a Registered Early Childhood Educator and an assistant lead during his time at YPCE.  He received his Bachelor of Education from York University in 2000 and is a teacher with YRDSB.  Michael is bilingual in French and English and is the coordinator of the Gender Sexual Alliance (G.S.A.) Group.

Lynda Carusi R.ECE
Lynda is passionate about childcare and began her career at York Professional Care & Education as a preschool and nursery educator.  After receiving her diploma from St. Lawrence College in Early Childhood Education, she continued working as a school age lead and Supervisor Designate at the before and after program at Park Ave.   Lynda retired in 2018 and while at YPCE, received her 20-year service ring.

CEO

Shirley Black

Shirley Black came to York Professional Care and Education in 2013. With her, she brought a wealth of leadership skill, knowledge and experience. Quickly putting those strengths to use; Shirley ushered in a strong period of growth within the organization. Her insight into modernizing the Agency, during a time of transition in the childcare industry; has only resulted in Agency wide success. Her approach towards growth is deliberate and measured, ensuring quality in the programs and the partnerships held with families and school boards.

Visible quality is the outcome for every Agency decision and direction. Moreover, Shirley understands that quality is non-negotiable and fundamentally necessary for strong play-based and child-centred programs, “For a child’s early years, this is a remarkable period for learning, developing attitudes and forming habits which affect adult life.”

YPCE’s Vision and Mission create the foundation from which the Agency builds on quality. Shirley passionately follows and promotes the Agency’s philosophies as she believes in them for successful outcomes for children, educators and all partnerships. She also believes that quality relies on empowered educators who have the skills and passion to build programs. Therefore, Shirley coordinates professional development with her team and strongly supports them to pursue continued education.

Shirley’s passion for the outdoors is evident as seen in her working travels to many destinations where different outdoor, early childhood programs are successful. Through these travels, Shirley brought back experiential knowledge and quickly put it to use. Having learned the benefits of outdoor activity on both emotional and physical well-being; extensive energy has gone into both nature-based program and educator development. Education in the outdoors now consists of 60% of the program day.

Shirley is proud to offer indoor and outdoor learning environments that are varied, stimulating, and available to all children. “Our approach to outdoor, learning environments continues to gain momentum thanks to the commitment, and enthusiasm of employees, and the positive response from families”.

Shirley looks forward to many more opportunities for the Agency. She is appreciative of her YPCE family and that she has had the opportunity to see her passions and visions for the Agency come to life.

 

We work towards children and families having a sense of belonging in the community by creating partnerships with organizations in the communities we serve. Here’s what  engagement looks like to us:

• We volunteer at local food banks.
• We undertake annual holiday drives supporting local shelters and causes.
• We support the annual walk-a-thon in support of Sick Kid’s Hospital.
• We participate in community seasonal and cultural events – such as holiday parades and theme days.
• We engage children with the senior community through intergenerational visits.
• We offer onsite events throughout the year including an Agency wide family event held on Easter Monday at our Adventure Camp site in Mount Albert.
• We promote the outdoors by immersing ourselves (literally) in the spirit of International Mud Day.