Lisa Harrison - Owner, Manager and Early Childhood Educator
My name is Lisa Harrison and it has been my dream to open a childcare centre that is nature inspired. I grew up visiting the Sunshine coast and spent most of my childhood outside so it just made sense to bring my dream to Gibsons! Working with children has always been my passion and I have learned so much from them in both daycare centres and in the public school system. Building a safe and trusting relationship with children and their families has allowed me to have fun, discover, grow and let my silly side shine through. I find joy and laughter in every day and have chosen staff of like mind . Experiences in nature have helped shape the person I am today and I am excited to share my love and understanding of the natural environment and guide children in becoming healthy and proactive members of society. I look forward to integrating early literacy, music, dance and art into our programs and to getting to know our families!
Jasmine Mason - EC Educator and Team Leader
Hey! My name is Jasmine Mason. I was born and raised on the Sunshine Coast; my childhood was spent roaming the trails and beaches of Gibsons. I moved away for 8 years to the Fraser Valley, where I did my schooling for ECE. I have 6 years experience in the field. I recently moved back to the Coast with my husband and daughter so we can be closer to my family as I have always wanted to raise my child on the Sunshine Coast. We spend most of our free time hiking and 4x4ing; the mountain is our happy place!
Christine Williams - EC Educator and Team Leader
My name is Christine Williams. Having worked with children and parents on the Sunshine Coast since 1994, I have learned a lot about early childhood development and what our community has to offer children’s growing minds.I strongly believe that children learn best through play and hands on experiences. The natural outdoors of the Coast provides a strong foundation for children to be engaged with their own learning by incorporating exploration, imagination and active participation. As a teacher, I want children to feel respected and valued. I feel the best way to do this is by empowering them through their own individual strengths and abilities. Spending the majority of my career working at Jack and Jill Parent Participation Preschool, I feel parents play an important part in their child’s life. I enjoy the opportunity to not only work with children, but with their families to build a strong foundation in their children’s early years. I look forward to having the chance to connect with your child and family.
Shalon Forbes - EC Educator
HELLO! My name is Shalon Forbes and I have been working in the field as an early childhood educator for 6 years. I just recently relocated back to the Sunshine Coast from Saskatchewan, while also returning to a previous, much loved position here at Natural Connections. Anyone who knows me, knows the passion I have for working with young children, I have learned so much from them through my experiences with international volunteer work, and my career as an Educator. Building safe and trusting relationships with children and their families has allowed me to have fun and grow in so many ways. I feel very lucky to be a part of the NCCC family and look forward to all the smiles, silliness and laughter that I experience here in a day.
Karyn Henwood - Co-owner
My name is Karyn Henwood and I was a kindergarten, grade one and two teacher in Surrey, B.C. for 29 years. I bring a love of children, nature and learning to Natural Connections. Lisa and I consider owning and operating a quality childcare centre a dream come true and seek to provide the best possible indoor and outdoor environment for kids and their families! I know you will find us approachable, well organized and dedicated to your children!
Amber Ladwig - EC Educator
Hi, my name is Amber, and I am excited to work with your family and care for your children. I am a mother of 3 and live with my children and husband in Gibsons. I grew up on the Sunshine Coast, and spend our family time camping, boating and being outdoors. My Mom was an owner/operator of a family daycare and I grew up with multiple children in our home. This experience cemented the foundation of my career working with children. I have held my ECE for 15 years and it continues to be my passion.
Tara Grant - Responsible adult
My name is Tara Grant. I am a single mom of twins. We moved to the Sunshine Coast from Vancouver when the twins were 2 years old so that they could attend Natural Connections Childcare and we could be closer to family. I was inspired to have my twins in a Childcare Centre that focused on exploring all of the beautiful nature that surrounds the Sunshine Coast.
I have always really enjoyed working with younger children and had planned on becoming an elementary school teacher from a young age. Instead I became a mother of twins and a teacher of two. Now that the twins are older, I am excited to pursue my passion for childcare. Over the past year, I have been doing in home private child care and started working at NCCC as an assistant teacher. I now know that becoming an ECE Educator is my next step and I am so excited to work and study in this field over the next year. Working with young children is my passion!!! Getting out exploring our beautiful coastal nature everyday is an added joy to this work!
