Nishi’s Story: Building belonging with YMCA Child Care

This week, we’re celebrating our Child Care workers and Early Childhood Educators who nurture curiosity, build confidence, and create spaces of belonging for children and families every day.

Throughout the week, we’re sharing stories from YMCA educators and staff whose compassion and commitment help shape the next generation.

This is Nishi’s Story.

Fourteen years ago, Nishi’s love of working with children led her to a part-time job with the YMCA.

After returning to Canada from Malaysia, Nishi began reflecting on the direction she wanted her career to take. With both of her children now in school, she felt ready to regain her independence.

“The only job that I applied for was at the YMCA part time in the Child Care department. I thought, ok you know what, I love children, I love spending time with them.”

She began her journey as an assistant in the YMCA’s School Aged Child Care (SACC), a before and after school program that allows children to explore, learn, and have fun together. At the time, Nishi didn’t have formal training or professional development in child care, she simply followed her passion.

“When you love something so much, it doesn’t feel like work. It feels rewarding.”

As her experience at the YMCA grew, so did her desire to deepen her knowledge. She enrolled in formal child development training and earned her Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Certification.

“Once I realized that this is my passion and this is the field I want to grow into, I went and did my ECE and my Child Practitioner Certification and received formal training so that I really make a difference with the knowledge I gained.”

Despite her drive and passion, Nishi faced some challenges in her new career.

“There were always small challenges like navigating childcare for my own children because I wasn’t home in the evenings or learning children’s behaviours when you don’t have formal training. It was also new to learn how to work in team environments and learn how different people have different priorities and skill sets.”

Though the learning curves weren’t easy to navigate, Nishi faced them head-on. Her dedication and diligence helped her advance within the YMCA, moving from assistant, to supervisor, to team lead, to pedagogical specialist, and now, Manager of Pedagogy.

“It’s one thing to love working with children but then to make a difference in those children’s lives is something special.”

One of Nishi’s most cherished memories comes from her time as a Full Day Kindergarten supervisor in SACC.

“There was a family whose child was this girl that loved coming to the YMCA, she was very attached. Her mother would have the parental woes of wondering if you are doing the best thing for your child and being a good parent. I had many conversations with the mother and about a year ago I was at a YMCA event and she was now the professional speaker! She saw me right away in the audience and afterwards gave me the biggest hug and told me what her child is doing now and how she still remembers me. It just fills my heart with so much love and gratitude.”

As a Pedagogical Specialist, Nishi supported and mentored YMCA staff through the Child Care curriculum. During this time, she recognized a gap in the professional development system for childcare educators, a lack of clear progression from one level to the next.

“It is a tiered program that I am building, and it just launched in August for Child Care. As I build this academy, I have been interviewing numerous people from Child Care, managers, people leaders, and educators to see where the gaps are and where we can strengthen our training to fill them.”

“Tier 1 of the program focuses on the well-being and safety of the children. Tier 2 will discuss how to set up your environment and how to have those conversations and what to be aware of when we think of the different aspects of childcare.”

Throughout her journey, Nishi has felt supported and empowered by the mentors in her life.

“I have only had two supervisors, but they have both really nourished my growth and supported me.”

“I am so thankful for this journey because I truly believe that it has made me an even better parent for my own children, because all of the learning that I have done about emotional intelligence and about what children need and how children are competent and capable and how to have these conversations with children where you see them for who they are, has made me a better parent.”

This week and every week, we celebrate child care professionals like Nishi—the educators, mentors, and advocates who help children grow into confident, compassionate, and curious people.

Thank you for igniting potential and helping every child feel that they belong. 

#ECEAppreciation #CareCounts #GreaterTogether #YMCAChildCare