Origins of Elowyn

The Little Owl Academy, LOA, a 4 location, top-tier early learning and care provider, was purchased in 2016 by Amanda and Brandon Worms. Since this time, the organization has drastically changed its business model, operational processes, and culture. In addition, our reputation has evolved to reflect these changes and demand for our services continues to steadily increase as does our provincial support. Changes in our environment and our industry are also evolving, particularly in the shadows of the pandemic. To be strategically and operationally prepared for the foreseeable changes in both the provincial political environment and in our industry, we must continue to adapt and embrace opportunities for sustainable growth. Elowyn, our new non-profit Society, and new branding associated, are the next genesis of this adaptation. Harnessing the core of our business-quality early learning, and care and leveraging it to build a non-profit Society are major steps toward the fulfillment of our plans. The Little Owl Academy and Elowyn will share the same values, Leadership Team and commitment to early learning, the Okanagan has come to expect. Elowyn will begin a slow, sustained development of providing family services aimed at rural communities surrounding Kelowna.

Elowyn, an ancient Cornish word meaning The Elm Tree or Happy House came from hours of consideration on the part of our Leadership team and a deep dive into our organizationalvalues. Our Team unanimously decided that the number one value driving our daily operations is a commitment to INTEGRITY. We sought in nature where such integrity lives, and where both individualism and inter-dependency magically co-exist. Trees have a corner on this concept and ancient trees are embolic of how this value affects not only the individual tree but the ecology they reside within. Building more resilient children and families creates this same opportunity for growth with integrity.

Our Environment

Covid 19 has fundamentally altered the model’s non-profits traditionally utilize to access funding streams. Funders, sponsors, and donors are each evaluating and modifying their fund streams based on their own survival instincts, federal funding, and business demands. Rural communities residing outside of Kelowna, where early learning and family services are lacking, will continue to bare the brunt of these impacts. Providers attempting to serve clients in rural areas will find it increasingly difficult to obtain funding to serve these residents and nearly impossible to acquire program space. Through the acquisition of a provincial grant, Elowyn plans to become a small part of the answer. Through strategic collaboration, we will help families, and providers overcome obstacles faced by their programs, by offering childminding services and our Nest community space. Becoming Elowyn and becoming part of the answer.