Ser.en.dip.i.ty [ser-uhn-dip-i-tee]- Noun 1. Luck in making desirable discoveries by accident
Meet Angela
Hi, I’m Angela, the owner and operator of Serendipity Early Years Centre.
My journey in Early Childhood Education began over 25 years ago, when I graduated from the Early Childhood Education Program at Okanagan College in 2001. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with children and families in many different early learning settings, including group daycare, infant and toddler care, preschool, Aboriginal Preschool, multi-age programs, family childcare and StrongStart.
Serendipity was originally established in downtown Kelowna, where I operated the program for nine wonderful years. Four years ago, Serendipity found a new home in Lake Country, BC, allowing me to create an intimate, home-based early learning environment where I can continue doing what I love most, building meaningful relationships with children and families.
After more than 25 years in this field, I continue to feel incredibly grateful to be an Early Childhood Educator. I believe that children have so much to teach us when we slow down, listen and give them the time and space to explore their world. My passion lies in creating environments where children can be curious, capable and confident, with plenty of opportunities for play, nature, creativity and discovery.
A Little More About Me
Outside of Serendipity, I’m a wife, a mom to two children and a very proud Grandma to three amazing grandchildren. Family is incredibly important to me, and I feel fortunate to have children and grandchildren who continually remind me of the wonder, humour and joy that comes with childhood.
When I’m not at Serendipity, you’ll often find me spending time with my family or enjoying some of the things I love most, sewing, quilting, embroidery, scrapbooking, crafting, needle felting, reading, baking and gardening.
I also have a deep passion for outdoor learning. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to share some of my experiences and reflections through Play Outdoors Magazine, writing about the value of outdoor play, outdoor experiences and the importance of documentation in understanding children’s learning. Some of the photographs and stories featured have come directly from the children and experiences at Serendipity.
Continuing to Learn
I believe that being an Early Childhood Educator means being a lifelong learner. I regularly participate in professional development opportunities, workshops and training throughout the year, averaging at least 20 hours of professional learning annually.
I’m continually inspired by new ideas, research and the educators I meet along the way, and I bring that ongoing learning back into my work with the children at Serendipity.
After 25 years, I’m still learning, still asking questions and still finding so much joy in watching children discover the world around them.
And that is one of the things I love most about this work.
A few highlights of my professional development training:
Peer Mentoring Program - Facilitator - September 2023 - June 2025 - continuing into 2026
A Year With BCELF- BC Early Learning Framework - October 2023 - June 2024 - 33hrs - continuing into 2025
Peer Mentoring Program - September 2022 - June 2023 - 46 hours
Annual Early Childhood Educators of BC Conference annually - around 12-14 hours each year
Learning Outside Together- February to June 2023 - 32 hours
Neufeld Institute Conference- Wisdom of Nature- April 2023 - 6 hrs
Reclaiming our Students- Why Children are more anxious, aggressive, and shut down than ever -- and what we can do about it- Hannah Beach, Tamara Neufeld Strijack- 12 sessions for a total of 18 hours
Circle of Security - Early intervention program for parents and children- May/June 2020- 16 hours
5 day Canadian Outdoor Study Tour in Scotland- February 2018
Outdoor Play Training- Canadian Child Care Federation- 2017- 36 hours
KHT Montessori Training Certificate Course- December 2014- November 2015
"Best Choices" Ethical Training- Fall 2015
St. John's Ambulance- Emergency First Aid- Community Care- August 2023
Food Safe- 2023
Memberships:
Early Childhood Educators Of BC- 2007-present
http://www.ecebc.ca/
Canadian Child Care Federation- 2007- present
http://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/
Kelowna Child Care Society- 2012- present
https://www.ymcasibc.ca/ccrr
Penticton Child Care Society- 2018- present
Meet Angela
Hi, I’m Angela, the owner and operator of Serendipity Early Years Centre.
My journey in Early Childhood Education began over 25 years ago, when I graduated from the Early Childhood Education Program at Okanagan College in 2001. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with children and families in many different early learning settings, including group daycare, infant and toddler care, preschool, Aboriginal Preschool, multi-age programs, family childcare and StrongStart.
Serendipity was originally established in downtown Kelowna, where I operated the program for nine wonderful years. Four years ago, Serendipity found a new home in Lake Country, BC, allowing me to create an intimate, home-based early learning environment where I can continue doing what I love most, building meaningful relationships with children and families.
After more than 25 years in this field, I continue to feel incredibly grateful to be an Early Childhood Educator. I believe that children have so much to teach us when we slow down, listen and give them the time and space to explore their world. My passion lies in creating environments where children can be curious, capable and confident, with plenty of opportunities for play, nature, creativity and discovery.
A Little More About Me
Outside of Serendipity, I’m a wife, a mom to two children and a very proud Grandma to three amazing grandchildren. Family is incredibly important to me, and I feel fortunate to have children and grandchildren who continually remind me of the wonder, humour and joy that comes with childhood.
When I’m not at Serendipity, you’ll often find me spending time with my family or enjoying some of the things I love most, sewing, quilting, embroidery, scrapbooking, crafting, needle felting, reading, baking and gardening.
I also have a deep passion for outdoor learning. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to share some of my experiences and reflections through Play Outdoors Magazine, writing about the value of outdoor play, outdoor experiences and the importance of documentation in understanding children’s learning. Some of the photographs and stories featured have come directly from the children and experiences at Serendipity.
Continuing to Learn
I believe that being an Early Childhood Educator means being a lifelong learner. I regularly participate in professional development opportunities, workshops and training throughout the year, averaging at least 20 hours of professional learning annually.
I’m continually inspired by new ideas, research and the educators I meet along the way, and I bring that ongoing learning back into my work with the children at Serendipity.
After 25 years, I’m still learning, still asking questions and still finding so much joy in watching children discover the world around them.
And that is one of the things I love most about this work.
A few highlights of my professional development training:
Peer Mentoring Program - Facilitator - September 2023 - June 2025 - continuing into 2026
A Year With BCELF- BC Early Learning Framework - October 2023 - June 2024 - 33hrs - continuing into 2025
Peer Mentoring Program - September 2022 - June 2023 - 46 hours
Annual Early Childhood Educators of BC Conference annually - around 12-14 hours each year
Learning Outside Together- February to June 2023 - 32 hours
Neufeld Institute Conference- Wisdom of Nature- April 2023 - 6 hrs
Reclaiming our Students- Why Children are more anxious, aggressive, and shut down than ever -- and what we can do about it- Hannah Beach, Tamara Neufeld Strijack- 12 sessions for a total of 18 hours
Circle of Security - Early intervention program for parents and children- May/June 2020- 16 hours
5 day Canadian Outdoor Study Tour in Scotland- February 2018
Outdoor Play Training- Canadian Child Care Federation- 2017- 36 hours
KHT Montessori Training Certificate Course- December 2014- November 2015
"Best Choices" Ethical Training- Fall 2015
St. John's Ambulance- Emergency First Aid- Community Care- August 2023
Food Safe- 2023
Memberships:
Early Childhood Educators Of BC- 2007-present
http://www.ecebc.ca/
Canadian Child Care Federation- 2007- present
http://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/
Kelowna Child Care Society- 2012- present
https://www.ymcasibc.ca/ccrr
Penticton Child Care Society- 2018- present