ARCHIVED—Marla Bisanz
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Year: 2009 – Province: British Columbia
Certificate of Achievement Recipient
Mama Loves Me Daycare and Mouse Mountain StrongStart
PO Box 648
Fraser Lake BC V0J 1S0
Telephone: 250-699-8734
Email : marlabisanz@hotmail.com
Type of Setting : Group childcare centre, before- and after-school centre and StrongStart centre for children from birth to age 12
There is a secret path to wisdom – that is empathy. More important than anything around you, no matter how shiny or pretty, empathy will help you discover and respect the feelings, fears, hopes and dreams of others. And lest you doubt it, Marla Bisanz will take you down that secret path to a seniors' centre and show you the special joy you can get from seeing and learning from people at the other end of life's journey.
Philosophy of Care
Marla's motto is "Every child, every chance, every day." Recognizing each child as special and important, she creates a learning environment and an emergent curriculum that supports children's discovery and then observes them, focusing on their natural interests. Her observations help parents and fellow staff members connect these natural interests to early learning experiences.
Support of Child Development
- Marla understands, recognizes and celebrates all ages and stages of child development, and provides a wide range of appropriate activities to promote learning and support all learning styles. For example, she created a recycling program at the daycare after she noticed that the children in her care were consumed with interest in the weekly garbage pick-up.
- With background as a supported child development consultant, Marla has the skills and experience to assess children's developmental needs and the contacts in the community to call in expert help when she needs it. For example, when Marla notes any areas of particular concern in her close observation of a child, she is able to access the services of a team of early intervention therapists.
Involvement with Parents, Families and the Community
- Marla has recently been actively engaged with the community through her efforts to make more child-care spaces available. She is project manager for the construction and creation of 20 child-care spaces and 15 before- and after-school spaces for her community. This is just one step towards fulfilling her long-term goals, which include starting a therapeutic riding stable and a small farm for educational purposes.
Rave Reviews
"In a small rural community among rural areas, Marla has created a childcare centre that is renowned for its programs, structure, approach to children, and she is an early childhood educator and child advocate who is second to none." Member of the community
"My admiration for Marla began upon my first visit. It was evident from that first moment that Marla unconditionally loves children, is devoted to serving them and always puts their needs first. She engages them at their level, enjoys all that they do, and is fascinated by how they perceive the world and interact within it." Parent
