Team Suman — Connectionselcc
Our Leadership

Suman Takhar

Founder & Director

Suman’s journey into early learning is deeply rooted in care, connection, and a genuine love for children and families. With a background in social work, she spent years supporting families through vulnerable and transitional moments—experiences that shaped her belief that feeling safe, seen, and supported is the foundation for all growth.

In 2015, guided by her heart and a calling to be closer to children during their earliest and most formative years, Suman returned to school to pursue her education in Early Childhood Education. This allowed her to thoughtfully weave together her social work background with early learning practice, creating an approach that is nurturing, intentional, and deeply responsive to each child’s unique needs.

Suman believes that childhood should be filled with warmth, trust, and meaningful relationships. She is passionate about creating environments where children feel deeply loved, emotionally secure, and confident in who they are. Her philosophy centres on connection—connection to self, to others, and to a community that celebrates kindness, empathy, and belonging.

As Founder and Director, Suman leads with compassion and heart, striving to create a space where children flourish, educators feel valued, and families feel supported and at home. Connections is not just a centre to her—it is a reflection of her values and her belief in the power of love, presence, and intentional care in the early years.

“Our mission is to foster an environment where children aren't just taught, but are understood, respected, and empowered to explore their world with confidence.”

eco

Resilience

Equipping children with the emotional strength to navigate life's challenges with grace.

self_improvement

Mindfulness

Creating calm, present environments that respect the rhythm of each child.

groups

Relationships

Prioritizing the primary connection between educator and child as the basis of all learning.

psychology

Personalized Learning

Tailoring our approach to fit the unique curiosity and development of every individual.

The Heart of Our Classrooms

Our teaching staff are more than educators; they are nurturers, co-explorers, and lifelong learners. Meet the dedicated team committed to your child's daily growth and discovery.

Infant Educators

Ms. Kamila

Ms. Kamila

Infant Educator

Ms. Kamila brings a bright, bubbly, and energetic personality to Connections. She loves being around children and creating an environment filled with fun, laughter, creativity, and connection. Whether she is dancing to music, being silly with the children, or finding ways to make them laugh, Ms. Kamila brings a joyful energy into the classroom each day.

She is very artistic and loves using her creativity to develop crafts, sensory experiences, and hands-on activities for the children. Ms. Kamila also enjoys spending time outdoors and helping children explore, discover, and learn about the environment around them.

At the heart of Ms. Kamila’s approach is connection. She is caring and nurturing and takes the time to build a genuine relationship with each child. She enjoys asking children questions, learning about the things they love, and incorporating their individual interests into activities, conversations, and learning experiences. She believes children should feel seen, heard, and valued for exactly who they are.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Kamila is a dancer, and she loves bringing her passion for movement into her work as an educator. She enjoys teaching children different dance moves, getting them active, and giving them opportunities to express themselves freely through music and movement. She believes movement is a beautiful way for children to express who they are and loves creating a safe, carefree environment where every child feels confident enough to do just that.

Ms. Kamila is also a true team player who understands the importance of creating a positive and supportive atmosphere for both children and educators. She is always willing to contribute, bring her positive energy to the team, and, of course, do it all with a smile on her face.

Ms. Pavi

Ms. Pavi

Infant Educator

Pavi is the steady, calming presence every classroom needs. With a Level 3 certification and a specialized background in Child and Youth Care, she looks at the “whole child,” focusing deeply on emotional well-being and confidence. Her approach is rooted in patience, allowing children the time and space they need to develop independence at their own pace.

Outside of her pedagogical expertise, Pavi weaves her love for music and dance into the daily rhythm of the room. She believes that creative expression is a child’s first language, and she uses it to turn ordinary moments into soulful, engaging learning experiences. When Pavi is in the room, there is a sense of peace and a quiet, lifelong love for learning taking root.

Junior Toddler Educators

Ms. Arsh

Ms. Arsh

Junior Toddler Educators

There is a natural light that Ms. Arsh brings into the classroom. As a Level 3 Educator with over three years of experience, she combines her deep professional knowledge with a heart that truly beats for our junior toddlers. Ms. Arsh believes that a child’s first steps into learning should be wrapped in warmth and security.

She specializes in creating “brave spaces”—environments where every child feels safe enough to explore, play, and just be themselves. For Ms. Ars, childcare isn’t just about supervision; it’s about building a trusting bridge between the center and the family, ensuring that every milestone is celebrated with intention and care.

Ms. Sara

Ms. Sara

Junior Toddler Educators

Ms. Sara is the embodiment of warmth. She views the classroom as a garden where every child is a unique bloom, deserving of a space that is as safe as it is inspiring. For Sara, the “little moments”—a shared laugh, a curious question, or a comforting hug—are the most important parts of the day.

Her philosophy is simple: when a child feels loved, they become fearless in their learning. Sara focuses on fostering genuine connections and ensuring that every child who walks through her door feels a sense of belonging. Her presence is a gentle reminder that early childhood is a time for wonder, laughter, and growing with heart.

Ms. Jashan

Ms. Jashan

Junior Toddler Educators

Ms. Jashan is a certified Early Childhood Educator with a Level 3 certification from Bow Valley College.

She is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment that supports each child’s unique development. Ms. Jashan prioritizes building strong, positive relationships with children and their families and enjoys collaborating with her colleagues to create meaningful learning experiences.

Alongside her professional work, Ms. Jashan finds joy in hobbies that deepen her understanding of early childhood education. Whether exploring the outdoors, diving into creative arts and crafts, or discovering new themes in children’s literature, she is drawn to activities that encourage creativity, curiosity, and imagination.

These interests not only bring her personal fulfillment but also offer valuable inspiration that she brings into the classroom, enriching the experiences she creates for the children in her care.

Ms. Jashan is happy to be part of the Connections team and looks forward to continuing to create meaningful experiences and special memories with the children each day.

Centre Support Educator

Ms. Mary

Ms. Mary

Centre Support Educator

Ms. Mary believes that every child is unique and deserves to feel loved, safe, valued, and supported. She approaches each child in her care with the same warmth and compassion she would give her own, creating a welcoming environment where children feel comfortable to be themselves, explore, learn, and grow.

One of Ms. Mary’s favourite parts of the day is mealtime. She enjoys sitting alongside the children, helping them with their food, and sharing the little conversations and laughs that happen around the table. She also loves exploring activities alongside the children, following their interests, and celebrating their curiosity, creativity, and all of the little achievements that make each child unique.

For Ms. Mary, one of the most meaningful parts of being an educator is building genuine connections with children and helping each one develop a strong sense of belonging. She believes that when children know they are loved, supported, and accepted for who they are, they develop the confidence to explore their world, try new things, and become fearless in their learning.

Ms. Mary brings a nurturing and caring presence to Connections, and she takes pride in creating meaningful moments with the children in her care each day.

Preschool Educator

Ms. Iris

Ms. Iris

Preschool Educator

Ms. Iris creates a calm, cozy space where children feel completely safe and at ease. As a gentle comfort buddy in the classroom, she builds warm relationships and encourages children to explore through simple, hands-on play. Using encouraging language and a steady rhythm of patience, she helps each child build independence and confidence at their own comfortable pace.

Believing kids should just have the freedom to be kids, Ms. Iris guides them with a thoughtful “show, don’t tell” approach. She focuses on letting children learn by observing and doing rather than following rigid instructions. In her room, every child feels respected and truly at home, gaining a quiet inner confidence that helps them thrive.

Senior Toddler Educator

Ms. Inder

Ms. Inder

Senior Toddler Educator

With over five years of dedicated experience and a deep background in curriculum training, Ms. Inder views the toddler room as a space of endless possibility. She specializes in creating a hands-on, sensory-rich environment where a child’s natural curiosity is given the room to breathe and grow.

Inders approach is rooted in the belief that education is most powerful when it is inclusive and joyful. She is a master at observing a child’s unique strengths and weaving them into the daily rhythm of the classroom. For her, the ultimate reward is witnessing that “spark” in a child’s eyes when they discover something new for the first time.

When she isn’t fostering growth in our little ones, Inder finds her own “Zen” in nature-whether it’s hiking, long drives, or quiet, meaningful moments with her family. She brings that same sense of adventure and peace into our center every single day.

Senior Preschool Educators

Ms. Leslie

Ms. Leslie

Senior Preschool Educator

Ms. Leslie brings a gentle, loving presence to our Junior Preschool classroom. With over eight years of experience running her own home daycare and additional experience working in childcare centres with children of all ages, she has a deep understanding of early childhood and family care. a She is passionate about the joy children bring and the meaningful impact educators have during the early years. Ms. Leslie has extensive knowledge of Montessori principles, movement-based learning, and early brain development, which she thoughtfully weaves into her calm, nurturing approach. Known for her patience and kind heart, Ms. Leslie creates a safe, supportive environment where children feel confident, cared for, and free to explore. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys farm life, spending time with her animals, and making special memories with her grandchildren—often riding horses together.

Senior Preschool Educator

Ms. Ang

Ms. Ang

Senior Preschool Educators

With 18 years of heart-centered experience and a Level 3 ECE Honors degree from Bow Valley College, Ms. Ang brings a gentle, intuitive presence to our team. She views a child’s growth much like a tree, focusing first on nurturing strong, deep roots so they can branch out and bloom at their own natural pace. In her classroom, she seamlessly weaves play-based, Reggio Emilia, and Montessori approaches into a fluid, meaningful daily rhythm. Through careful observation, thoughtful planning, and inquiry-based learning, she turns everyday curiosity into a beautiful journey of discovery.

Guided by a deep commitment to inclusion, Ms. Ang excels at creating a tranquil, safe, and nurturing sanctuary where preschoolers feel emotionally grounded and excited to learn. She honors the unique diversity of every child and family, providing a space where everyone truly belongs. Through active supervision, steady emotional support, and behavioral guidance, she helps children navigate big feelings with ease. Working hand-in-hand with families and colleagues, Ms. Ang ensures a healthy, communicative, and collaborative environment where every child feels completely safe, included, and supported to grow in their own perfect time.

Want to meet our team in person?

We'd love to show you our classrooms and introduce you to the educators who make Connections ELCC a special place for children.

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