Our Roots
Elowyn
Our 2016 purchase of the Little Owl Academy, Little Owl Academy Ltd., was a pivotal step in the journey toward long-term plans for the development of a non-profit, The Little Owl Society, established in 2018. Operating 3 Little Owl Academy locations in the area, the demand for our early education programs continues. Growth of communities surrounding Kelowna, coupled with our reputation, garnered generous support from the BC Ministry of Children & Family Development. In spring of 2020, The Little Owl Society, DBA, Elowyn, was awarded a substantial grant to provide early education programs and family enrichment in Lake Country. Elowyn has acquired a fifteen-year lease to operate a newly renovated space on Pollard Road.
Across Canada, most households find both parents working and ours is no exception. We struggle to keep up with the fast-paced ecology our kids are growing up within and the affects it may be having on their emotional well-being. Our goals are to continue to offer best practices early education opportunities and to extend impactful existing family programs to underserved areas. We will do this by collaborating with organizations offering existing family programs in Kelowna while minimizing your accessibility and childminding concerns.
Our Values
Move Toward Sustainability
Use Integrity to Drive Decisions
Be Authentic & Joyful
Move Toward Zero-Barrier Operations
Be Inclusive
Be Intentionally Community-Centered
Meet The Team
Amanda Worms has a lengthy corporate background in business finance and media relations. She dedicates significant time to tirelessly advocating on behalf of quality child care, early learning and early learning professionals. Her advocacy seeks to raise public awareness regarding the importance of quality child care, policies supporting family subsidy and wages for early learning professionals.
Anessa Collins is a veteran communications and sales consultant with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a lifelong commitment to volunteering. Her business experience spans multiple sectors and includes broad-spectrum project management, contract management and strategic partnerships. Anessa is a mother of 1, and an avid outdoor enthusiast, spending much of her free time on local trails with her 2 collies.
Stacey Jenkins has a more than 20-year career in business finance, most recently in the non-profit sector. Her multi-sector knowledge of business operations and finance coupled with her raising of 3 children, as a single parent, makes her ideally suited to fulfill the role of key influencer in our daily organizational decisions. Stacey is an avid hiker and animal lover currently operating Jada Tails for Trails, a Central Okanagan Dog-Walking business.
Lauren Smith has more than 14 years of experience as an Early Childhood Educator. She has additional training as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator and has a background in safeguarding children and philanthropic leadership. Lauren is a recent immigrant to Canada, has a magical communications gift with parents and children and is an avid fan of both dogs and anything J.R.R. Tolkien inspired. Her green velvet cloak can be viewed by request.