About Us
Kids in the Grove Inc. is fully licensed, inclusive, and insured care centre for children ages 3 to 12. Operating out of Topham and West Langley Elementary Schools, Kids in the Grove offers pre-school, junior kindergarten, and school age care programs. Using a wide variety of activities and key learning tools, our staff and curriculums provide a world of exploration through education, play, and creativity.
Our Mission
Kids in the Grove exists to help children and their guardians succeed by providing an inclusive, development led, and fun childcare environment.
Kids in the Grove developed this statement to represent our purpose in creating future growers. From stories of children who went through our programs and are now teachers, to equipping students for their own journey with self-sufficient tactics, this statement serves as a form of accountability in our day-to-day operations.
A crucial piece to this sentence is helping both children and their guardians. Serving as a facility with a warm, family feel, Kids in the Grove understands the struggles of parenthood and our desire is to not only support the children we work with, but their parents and guardians as well. It’s not just about the kids, it is family.
Our Vision
To be the full-service early learning facility in the Lower Mainland equipped to support kids of all needs.
Forecasting a future for Kids in the Grove follows a few simple principles; inclusivity, ability, and serving. Inclusivity revolves around the goal to have our doors open to everyone. Ability defines that we have the capacity, resources, and training in order to support those who come looking for care. If families do not have the assistance required to support their child, we will hire staff that can join our team. Finally, Kids in the Grove is continuously working towards serving not just their students and guardians, but the community around them.
Our Values
Kids in the Grove corporate and core values (KITG)
K
Kindness
In our daily interactions, we are all about the need to be friendly and gracious to those around us. We value doing good for others and bringing people together through genuine, kind-hearted actions.
I
Inclusivity
We recognize every child’s unique way of learning and adapt our activities to meet each specific need. We work closely with the Langley Child Development Centre and The Ministry of Education to welcome families and their own personal assistance (B.I., SEA, B.A).
T
Transformation
Kids in the Grove is centred around providing an environment that supports social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. We believe in future growers and equipping our students so they can be supported in jumping over their own hurdles independently.
G
Genuineness
Genuineness for us can also be translated to authenticity. Our environment is crafted to be a place of open-mindedness and approachability. We must be willing to make the unpopular decision for the sake of doing the right thing and are grounded in our roots of providing a dependable, family-oriented environment.
Meet our Team
Kimberly
Owner & Operator
I am the Owner & Operator of Kids in the Grove Topham & West Langley! I have been a resident of Walnut Grove since 1985 attending both West Langley Elementary & Walnut Grove Secondary Schools. I’m a Wife, Mother of 2 boys, and an auntie! I have been an active participant in the community; working with children since my early adolescence. Seeing a need for a daycare that was convenient to working families, I opened JK Kids Club in 2002 operating out of local schools. Since then, our name has changed, but our belief has not; “to provide a trusting, open and fair atmosphere so the students can have the ability to express themselves in a comfortable and confident manner. My favourite subject in school was Drama & Music! My favourite go-to place in WG is Starbucks! I love to visit with their wonderful staff, enjoy my favourite cup of tea, Honey Citrus-Mint and a chocolate caramel pretzel treat! If I could be any animal, it would be a dog! I love dogs! They always strive to warm your heart and make you smile! When I am not at work, I am volunteering for the Walnut Grove Willoughby Business Association, supporting and helping local businesses in our communities! Also mentoring WGSS Business & Entrepreneurship students!
Experience & Qualifications
- Langley College Early Childhood Education Program
- Responsible Adult Training Workshops
- Preschool Speech and Language Certificate
- Supporter of BC Children’s Hospital (First Son was born 2 months premature)
Kimberly
Lauren
Lauren
Topham Location Manager
Hi I am Lauren. I am the Manager & one of the preschool/out of school teachers at our Topham location. I’ve been with Kids in the Grove for since 2006. I grew up in Walnut Grove attending both Gorden Greenwood and Walnut Grove Secondary. I now reside in Willoughby with my husband and 2.5 year old son. My biggest passions in life are being a mom and physical fitness. I love being out in nature with my family exploring and taking in the scenery. I come from a family of all boys! I am an auntie to five little gentlemen and one very sweet little lady. I love getting to know our new students and learning their unique personalities. I believe all children need patience, support and flexibility to flourish in their school years. Being part of this very important time for them is something I value and cherish.
Experience & Qualifications
- Langley College Early Childhood Education Program
- Preschool Speech and Language Certificate
- Ready Set Learn Training
Emerald
West Langley Manager
My name is Emerald Peters, I am the manager at our West Langley Elementary location. I have been part of the Kids in the Grove team since January 2017 at West Langley and became manager in the summer of that same year. After I graduated high school, I joined a volunteer program called Katimavik where I travelled to 3 locations in Canada to live with other youth, volunteer and take classes to prepare for adulthood. One of my volunteer placements was a non-profit daycare in Peace River, AB and I fell in love with the job, once I finished the program, I applied to take the Early Childhood Educator course. I met my husband Jordon in 2011 and we got married in Mexico in November 2018. Our daughter Reyana is from a previous relationship so we share her half the time, she will be turning 13 in May! We love to be outside, camping, fishing, hanging out at the beach or lake or being at the baseball field (Jordon and Reyana play and I watch). In our house, our favorite meal to eat together is Tacos but if I had to choose anything to have every day, it would be coffee, nothing special, just coffee.
Experience & Qualifications
- Early Childhood Education Certificate
- Preschool Speech and Language Certificate
Emerald
Karen
Karen
Preschool & School Age
I am currently working at West Langley Elementary as an Early Childhood Educator Assistant. I have worked with, and currently work one-on-one with special needs children. I’ve worked with children with down syndrome, Autism and cerebral palsy. I worked at our Topham location for 18 months and the staff at both locations are so fun and great to work with. I have been with Kids in the Grove for three and a half years but before that I ran a family childcare out of my home for 17 years.
I have three kids of my own. A daughter who is 23, a son who is 20 and another daughter who is 19. I also have a 16-month-old granddaughter (my oldest daughter’s daughter).
My favourite subject when I was in school was language arts/spelling/English. I’ve always been great at spelling and I love to write. If I could be any animal, I would choose to be a duck. But not just any duck. A rubber duck. I gave my bathroom a rubber duck theme when my kids were much younger and collected rubber ducks to display and my collection has now surpassed 200! I may have a slight problem. Haha!
Makenna
School Age
Hi! My name is Makenna Martin. I started my job with Kids in the Grove at the beginning of the 2019 school year and have loved spending my afternoons working at West Langley with our out of school care kids. I am currently in my last semester at Trinity Western University, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education and a double minor in both Special Education and Human Kinetics. Therefore, my love for kids extends past Kids in the Grove, as I am in the process of beginning my career as a Kindergarten teacher! When I am not at Starbucks studying, my husband and I love to travel and explore new places. Our most recent hobby has been exploring our own city, discovering new local shops and restaurants, and spending a majority of our time outdoors! I am always willing to go with the flow, and as the kids at West Langley know, I am always down for a board game or a good ol’e game of soccer.
Makenna
Emily
Emily
School Age
Hi, my name is Emily Gibson! I work at both Topham and West Langley. I spend most of my time with the Out of School Care kiddos, but you may also see me helping out in Preschool. I started working at Kids in the Grove in October of 2017, so it has been 3 great years! I am currently attending Trinity Western University finishing my Elementary Education Degree with a minor in Special Education, as well as a minor in Media and Communications. I am also a certified Early Childhood Educators’ Assistant! I recently got married in May of 2020. My husband and I love doing anything outdoors, especially camping! When I was in elementary school, Physical Education was my favourite subject. I played soccer, basketball and volleyball, so you could always catch me running around somewhere. I am a big coffee lover and I think you can never go wrong with a Caramel Macchiato!
Robyn
Preschool & School Age
Hi there! My name is Robyn. I have been an employee of Kids in the Grove since September 2018 working with OSC kids and helping out in preschool when needed. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and Visual Arts, and am on my way to completing my ECE certificate. Aside from working with children, coffee is my other passion in life. I have been a part-time barista for 10 years now. In the last year I have learned so much about how coffee is roasted, different brewing methods and how to taste different notes in the various beans. I can make fancy leaf designs in lattes too! In my spare time I enjoy café hopping with my boyfriend, drawing and watching movies. I have also just taken up ukulele as a new hobby. I love animals and lead a vegan lifestyle. I have two adorable pooches named Gus and Ella who fill every day with love and laughter.
Robyn
Louise
Louise
Preschool & School Age
Hi There! Louise here.
It has been my pleasure to have been a member of the “Kid’s” team since the spring of 2018. I am currently working in O.S.C at Topham Elem., but have also enjoyed working at West Langley Elem. Prior to my semi-retirement, I had a career in healthcare for 25 years, specializing in care for elders with psychiatric and/or dementia diagnosis. I also have a long history of working with children on the autism spectrum and with the terminally ill. At present, I continue to work with exceptional adults on a part time basis. I am a wife, a mother with grown children ( Yes, the divine Miss Emerald is one of them! ) and a very proud Fairy Grandmother of two very fine tweens. In my down time, you’ll find me in my art studio imagining and creating. Sometimes it’s about completing a commission, teaching a class, or many times, turning up the tunes and just having fun. As the weather warms up and you can’t find me covered in paint, you’ll find me covered in dirt. My gardens are huge and my thumbs are green!
Amanda
Preschool & School Age
Hi I’m Amanda Jones, I am a preschool and out of school care teacher at the Topham location. I’ve been with Kids in the Grove since May 2019 but I have been a preschool teacher for over 10 years. I’ve been married since 2015. My husband and I have one son named Tyson, He is a spunky little guy who will be 3 years old in April. Back in high school my favourite subjects were wood working, science and textiles. I love to kick back and relax in Mexico or test my luck at roulette in Las Vegas!
Amanda
Contact Us
Topham Elementary: 21555 91st Avenue, Langley, BC, V1M 3Z3
West Langley Elementary: 9403-212 Street, Langley, BC, V1M 1M1
604 - 619 - 0267
COVID-19 Status
About
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Values
Meet Our Team
Our Programs
Preschool
Junior Kindergarten
School Age Care
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Ukrainian Homemade Perogies
Dough Ingredients: 5 Cups all-purpose flour, sifted 2 tbsp, salt 1 egg, beaten 1/3 cup veg, oil 2 cups warm water Filling Ingredients: 2 russet potatoes and 1 sweet potato 2 Tbsp. Butter ½ cup sour cream 1 cup grated cheddar...
Portuguese Roasted Potatoes
Ingredients: 5 Medium potatoes, cut into small chunks Salt and Pepper Paprika 3 Tbsp. Flour Olive Oil Hot pepper relish Garlic powder or minced garlic Directions: Wash and cut the potatoes into small chunks. You can peel them first or leace the...
Pancit Guisado
Ingredients: 1 lb. Pork 1 Whole Onion Minced Garlic Bell Pepper Soy Sauce Oyster Sauce Chicken broth Carrots Cabbage Rice Noodle Directions: Sautee onion and garlic Add pork and chicken broth, let cook for 20 minutes Add the rest of...
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