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.”
Resilience
Equipping children with the emotional strength to navigate life's challenges with grace.
Mindfulness
Creating calm, present environments that respect the rhythm of each child.
Relationships
Prioritizing the primary connection between educator and child as the basis of all learning.
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.
Program Support Educator / Assistant Director
Ms. Rootuja
Program Support Educator / Assistant Director (In Training)Ms. Rootuja doesn’t walk into a room to be the grown-up in charge; instead, she walks in as the friend who understands just how big the world feels when you are still so small. With over seven years of experience in early childhood education, including time as an inclusion specialist, Ms. Rootuja focuses on building deep, motherly bonds that help every little superstar feel safe, secure, and whole. Her heart has always been magnetically drawn to the newest arrivals on our planet, and she sees it as an honour to be their “handbook” through life’s first big adventures. Throughout her journey in Montreal, Winnipeg, and now Calgary — the place she proudly calls home — Ms. Rootuja has always worked to create a true “village” atmosphere where families feel they belong and children never want to miss a single day. She leads with a mother’s intuition and an educator’s knowledge, specializing in understanding child psychology and behaviour. To Ms. Rootuja, every child is family. She pours the same nurturing love into each little one as she would her own. Her goal is simple: to build a foundation of love so strong that years from now, a child looks back and remembers that the world was a kind place before they ever knew how big it was.
Infant Educators
Ms. Pavi
Infant EducatorPavi 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.
Ms. Iris
Infant EducatorMs. 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.
Junior Toddler Educators
Ms. Arsh
Junior Toddler EducatorsThere 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
Junior Toddler EducatorsMs. 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.
Senior Toddler Educator
Ms. Inder
Senior Toddler EducatorWith 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.
Junior Preschool Educator
Ms. Jas
Jr. Preschool EducatorMs. Jazz believes that early childhood education is so much more than a curriculum—it is about creating a soft, grounding space where children feel safe enough to truly be themselves and explore the world. Her journey in this field began with her studies in Montreal, followed by three wonderful years at Prince Edward supporting children’s social and emotional growth. Having also spent meaningful time in Montessori-based classrooms, her entire perspective on learning was deeply shaped; it taught her the beauty of stepping back, trusting a child’s natural curiosity, and letting them grow at their own unique pace.
In the classroom, her heart is entirely in helping children build real independence and confidence, guiding their big emotions with patience and gentle co-regulation. She loves setting up thoughtful, open-ended activities that spark wonder, but what she loves even more is observing how each child interacts with them, adapting her days to what they need most. Ms.Jazz truly believes that when educators work hand-in-hand with families, they build a beautiful, connected community where children don’t just learn—they thrive, feel deeply cared for, and find joy in the everyday moments.
Senior Preschool Educators
Ms. Leslie
Senior Preschool EducatorsMs. 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.
Ms. Ang
Senior Preschool EducatorsWith 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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