About us

Dunbar Memorial Preschool has been making play the cornerstone of children’s early learning for over 60 years.

Our School

Dunbar Memorial Preschool is a play based school. Teachers provide materials, media and general direction but the children are encouraged to take the ideas to where they want. Our excellent curriculum provides for learning opportunities through socialization, free play, group activities, arts and crafts, yoga, music, dance and more. Our facilities enable compelling, creative play-based learning in a safe, respectful, and inviting space.

Led by our talented team of teachers, the parent involvement model is one that has fostered a sense of community among our families year after year, and long after the children have moved on to elementary school.

The Classroom

Our large classroom facilities are located in the lower level of the Dunbar Community Centre. This spacious, bright, and inspiring space invites children to explore a variety of activities in an open-concept environment. Our classroom houses a quiet reading corner, circle time mat, science table, puppet show stage, craft tables, train table, tricycles, dress-up station, playhouse, and many other toys and games. Our space also includes hand-washing stations, shared cubbyholes, and an in-class kitchen.

Our Teachers

Dunbar Memorial Preschool has fully qualified Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) on staff. These teachers are licensed through the Ministry of Education to work with young children in a preschool setting. They create and run educational programs that fuel children’s intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth. The Preschool may also have on staff early childhood educator assistants (ECEAs) that work under the supervision of ECEs. ECEAs are also licensed through the Ministry of Education. Our teachers are full of dedication, love, warmth and knowledge which lends itself to a nurturing, supportive and inclusive learning environment. We have a high teacher to child ratio, ensuring each child is seen, heard and given time to develop skills at their own pace. Our teachers value and respond to children’s ideas, and extend on learning through open ended questions, meaningful interactions and encouraging feedback.

Dunbar Memorial Park

Dunbar Memorial Preschool has access to the adjoining field and playground/park areas. We try to be outdoors as much as possible, but when Vancouver weather doesn’t cooperate, the preschool has a space designed for physical recreation in the classroom. The Preschool has a large array of equipment to promote the development of gross motor skills in the children such as tricycles, gymnastics equipment, indoor slides, basketball hoops, floor hockey equipment and much more.

Our Teachers

Tomomi

I was born and raised in Shizuoka, Japan where there are many forests and rivers. As a child I enjoyed catching lizards and frogs, climbing up trees, painting with natural dyes made from flowers, picking vegetables my grandmother grew, and many more fun outdoor activities.

Before becoming an Early Childhood Educator, I worked at an English school in Japan for children from 6 months old to 13 years old. Having meaningful relationships with children and their families encouraged me to obtain an Early Childhood Education licence to better support children with better quality care. After completing my ECE education, I worked at an International Preschool until I moved to Vancouver.

Sharing time with children brings me so much joy. As a teacher, I love seeing children’s development day by day and sharing families’ happiness in their children’s growth. I value making a heart-warming environment for children, families, teachers, and people who will be meeting in this community. I am excited to meet all of you and making lasting memories together!

I believe letting children explore the outdoors brings them new discoveries and it piques their interests which helps them learn new things. I am excited to have “Adventure time” with the children at Dunbar Memorial Preschool

I am looking forward to knowing more about all of you!

Carly Jensen

Born and raised in Richmond BC, I have always loved the beautiful outdoors and really appreciate the benefit of children’s outdoor play. My journey working with children started when I coached girls basketball at a community centre for many years. I then went on to get my yoga teacher training and have been teaching kids yoga ever since. I was only teaching kids yoga once a week when I realized I wanted to be working with children everyday. I went on to do my Early Childhood Education and have been working in childcare ever since.

I believe in strong relationships and connections with both my students and their families. I want the children to feel supported and excited when they come to school and to build many friendships. I love seeing children work together and of course get their bodies moving in many different ways. I encourage open ended play and activities as well as outdoor exploring as much as possible.

I enjoy bringing my yoga experience into the classroom at Dunbar Preschool. Yoga and mindfulness has been shown to improve both the physical and mental health of children.

I am so looking forward to another year at Dunbar Memorial Preschool and building relationships with each of the children and families.