ECEs
Rhonda Sylven, ECE
Rhonda spent her childhood in the community of Squamish, B.C. and brings over 30 years of early childhood experience to her position of ECE at Lambrick Park Preschool & Childcare. Rhonda began working with children as a volunteer in a local preschool for special needs children. This opportunity inspired her to complete her ECE Certificate at Capilano College in 1989.
After working for a few more years with special needs children she left Squamish and moved to Victoria. Rhonda attended the University of Victoria and in 1994 completed her Degree in Child and Youth Care. In 1995 Rhonda married and set up house in Victoria, working as a Special Education Assistant with the Victoria School District and as an ECE in a variety of child care settings.
After the birth of her son, Rhonda made the decision to stay home and open a Family Daycare. During that time Rhonda also held a 2 year volunteer position on the Victoria Regional Child Care Council. Once Rhonda’s son was of preschool age the Sylven family became part of their neighbourhood VICPA preschool. Her son attended for 2 years, followed by his sister. Rhonda and her husband enjoyed participating in the preschool program including a position on the Executive during their four years at preschool. After 7 years of working at home and raising her children, Rhonda joined LPP&C eager to bring an enriched, fun and play-centered program to the children and families in the Gordon Head area.
In her off time, Rhonda enjoys spending time with her husband and children. Rhonda also enjoys tending to her vegetable garden, running and fitness. Rhonda became passionate about scrap booking years ago and as a result, takes pleasure in preserving her family photos and memories in albums. Photography has become a natural offshoot of this hobby and Rhonda’s camera is never far away from her side.
Mariela Sosa, ECE Assistant
Hello! My name is Mariela, and my pronouns are she/her. I’m originally from Argentina, where I lived most of my life before moving to Canada a few years ago with my husband and our young son. I have a communications and public relations background, and for over 15 years, I have worked in arts and culture.
After moving to Victoria, I felt inspired to follow a lifelong dream: working with young children. I am now a certified Early Childhood Educator Assistant and am currently studying to become an Early Childhood Educator at the Pacific Rim Early Childhood Institute.
Being with children brings me so much joy. I love learning with them, playing, exploring, and helping them grow during these magical early years. I believe in respectful, child-led learning and creating a warm, safe, and joyful space where children feel seen, heard, and valued every day.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, camping in the summer, hiking through nature, and visiting the beach with friends.
Sarah Poirier – MSc, BSc, ECE
(she/her)
Sarah grew up in Montreal accessing wild wonders just beyond her backyard. She fell in love with informal outdoor education while working as a volunteer docent. Sarah followed this up with a BSc at McGill – studying environmental studies focused on biodiversity and conservation – and she then came to Victoria to pursue an MSc in geography.
While working in the field of nature-based informal education at what is now the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, Sarah realized that her passion actually lay in exploring the world alongside young children. Never one to turn down an adventure, Sarah has participated in: the four-month long International Youth Leader Education program in Denmark, the Child & Nature Alliance’s Natural Leaders Legacy Camp near Seattle, Forest School Canada’s Forest School Practitioner’s Course, and then spent six years as an educator at the entirely outdoor nature preschool at Swan Lake.
Since 2025, Sarah has been exploring and experimenting with the Lambrick Park program. With a keen interest in ocean creatures, forest places, exploring with all five senses, tools and tool use, and getting really messy, Sarah is excited to share the experiences of wonder, delight, and curiosity with present and future groups of Lambrick Park families.
