Board Notice

2026 Call for Board Nominations

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Emmanuel Early Learning and Care provides quality child care and early learning through forest-based education, embracing the whole child, nurturing a connection to nature, and inspiring a love of lifelong learning.  

Emmanuel Early Learning and Care is governed by a volunteer board of directors who are passionate about forest and nature-based early learning. Day-to-day operations are delegated to the Executive Director, while the board sets direction via the mission, vision, values, strategic plan, governance policies, and budget. Our key role is to direct and protect.  

We’re looking for new members with diverse backgrounds and experiences who are excited about our mission and values to join us on the Board of Directors beginning April 2026.

The call 

Nominations are now open for the Board of Directors at Emmanuel Early Learning and Care. Parents (past and present) from both the Brighton and Sandhills centres, and community members are encouraged to apply.  

In support of our strategic plan and Board operations, we’re seeking applicants with skills in any of the following areas:  

  • Legal 

  • Accounting and finance 

  • Human resources 

In particular, we are seeking applicants with skills, experience, or interest in serving on our Board’s Finance Committee.  

What can an Emmanuel Board experience provide you? 

Our members have the opportunity to learn and grow in leadership skills, which may include: board governance; strategic planning; recruitment and nominations; finance; equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigeneity; and non-profit management. It also offers members the opportunity to network and build community connections. 

What’s involved?  

 Board members are expected to: 

  • Attend the Annual General Meeting (April 28, 2026) 

  • Prepare for and attend Board meetings (10-12 per year). 

  • Participate in one or more committees and their related projects, which may include monthly meetings. (Committee descriptions can be found here.) 

  • Attend any supplementary Board meetings as needed. 

  • Attend or support events in the centre when possible. 

  • Serve for a term of two years. Board members may renew their terms twice if desired, for a total of six years on the Board. 

  • Contribute approximately 5-10 hours of volunteer time per month. 

Please complete and submit your application form to Carly Greco, Chair of the Recruitment & Nominations Committee at carlyg@eabchildcare.com, by  Monday, March 23 2026. We’ll contact candidates for interviews by March 30, 2026. More information on the current Board membership can be found at emmanuelchildcare.ca/board. 

If you have any questions about the Board of Directors or the application process, please contact Carly Greco at carlyg@eabchildcare.com. 

Download the application form here. 

2024 Call for Nominations for Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre Board of Directors 

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Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre provides quality child care and early learning through forest-based education, embracing the whole child, nurturing a connection to nature, and inspiring a love of lifelong learning.  

The Board of Directors consists of parents (past and present) and community members who are passionate about forest and nature-based early learning. We’re looking for new members with diverse backgrounds and experiences who are excited about our mission and values to join us on the Board of Directors in 2024-2025. 

The call 

Nominations are open for the Board of Directors at Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre. Parents (past and present) and community members are encouraged to apply.  

In support of our strategic plan and Board operations, we are seeking applicants with skills in the following areas:  

  • Legal 

  • Accounting and finance 

In particular, we are seeking applicants with skills, experience, and interest in serving on our Board’s Finance Committee.  

What can an Emmanuel Board experience provide you? 

Our members have the opportunity to learn and grow in leadership skills, which may include: board governance; strategic planning; recruitment and nominations; finance; equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigeneity; non-profit management; and early childhood education. It also offers members the opportunity to network and build community connections. 

What’s involved?  

Board members are expected to: 

  • Attend the Annual General Meeting (April 30, 2024) 

  • Attend Board meetings (8-10 per year). 

  • Participate in one or more committees, which may include monthly meetings.

  • Attend any supplementary Board meetings as needed. 

  • Attend or support events in the centre when possible. 

  • Serve for a term of two years. Board members may renew their terms twice if desired, for a total of six years on the Board. 

  • Contribute approximately 5-10 hours per month. 

Please complete and submit your application form to Carly Greco, Chair of the Recruitment & Nominations Committee at carlyg@eabchildcare.com, by Monday, March 4, 2024. We’ll contact candidates for interviews by March 21, 2024. More information on the current Board membership can be found at emmanuelchildcare.ca/board. 

If you have any questions about the Board of Directors or the application process, please contact Carly Greco at carlyg@eabchildcare.com. 

Download the application form here. 

2022 Call for Nominations for Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre Board of Directors

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Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre provides quality child care and early learning through forest-based education, embracing the whole child, nurturing a connection to nature, and inspiring a love of lifelong learning.

The Board of Directors consists of parents (past and present) and community members who are passionate about forest and nature-based early learning. We’re looking for new members with diverse backgrounds and experiences who are excited about our mission and values to join us on the Board of Directors in 2022-2023.

The call

Nominations are open for the Board of Directors at Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre. Parents (past and present) and community members are encouraged to apply.

In support of our strategic plan, we're looking for people with diverse backgrounds and skills. Some of the specific skills we’re interested in include: 

  • Legal

  • Accounting and finance

  • Fundraising

  • Human resources

  • Facilities and property management

This list is not exhaustive! Our Board benefits from a wide variety of skills and experiences, and we’d love to hear from anyone interested in volunteering.

What can an Emmanuel Board experience provide you?

Our members have the opportunity to learn and grow in leadership skills, which may include: board governance; recruitment and nominations; finance; equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigeneity; property management; non-profit management; and early childhood education. It also offers members the opportunity to network and build community connections.

What’s involved?

Board members are expected to:

  • Attend the Annual General Meeting

  • Attend board meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, either in person or by Teams.

  • Participate in one or more committees, which may include monthly meetings. (Learn more about our Board Committees)

  • Attend any supplementary board meetings as needed.

  • Attend or support events in the centre when possible.

  • Serve for a term of two years. Board members may renew their terms twice, for a total of six years on the Board.

  • Contribute approximately 5-10 hours per month.

Please complete and submit your application form to Carly Greco, Chair of the Nominations Committee at carlyg@eabchildcare.com, by Tuesday, October 11. We’ll contact candidates for interviews by October 24. More information on the current Board membership can be found at emmanuelchildcare.ca/board.

If you have any questions about the Board of Directors, please contact Carly Greco at carlyg@eabchildcare.com.

Download the application form.

Call for nominations for the Emmanuel Board of Directors

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Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre has been a keystone in the Waterloo community for more than 50 years. Our centre is a family and the history and values that connect us can be seen in every aspect of who we are — from our nurturing care to the strategic governance provided by our Board.

In 2019 Emmanuel launched an ambitious, new strategic plan that outlines direction and focus for organizational growth in the years ahead. Employee engagement, fund development, program growth, and governance excellence are key priorities.

Call for Nominations

Are you passionate about advancing learning through nature and growing bright futures in Waterloo Region? Nominations are now open for the Board of Directors at Emmanuel at Brighton Childcare Centre.

Three positions are available. Community members, parents (past, current, future), and friends of Emmanuel are encouraged to apply.

In alignment with our strategic plan, we are seeking the following skills:

  • Passion for forest- and nature-based programming

  • Financial, including fundraising and fund development

  • Human Resources

  • Communication

  • Legal

Please complete and submit your application form (PDF or Word) to Rebecca Pope by Tuesday October 20th, 2020. More information on the current Board membership can be found at emmanuelchildcare.ca/board.

Centre Closure extended until July 5, 2020

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Dear Emmanuel Families,

Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre Board of Directors and the Leadership team have made the decision to extend our closure until at least July 5, 2020.

The safety and wellbeing of our families, children, and employees continues to be our top priority. Timelines and guidelines for reopening childcare centres have not yet been provided by the Province of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. We need access to these guidelines to ensure we have the appropriate time to fully develop, communicate and operationalize a reopening plan with guiding principles that consider the health and safety of children; health and safety of employees; and quality of programming.

Given known timelines, it is not feasible for Emmanuel to consider a safe reopening any earlier than July 6th; while this date may push later into the future, we know that it can not occur sooner. Extending the closure reiterates Emmanuel’s commitment to ground decisions based on what is right for our Centre, families, and employees once government and health authorities have approved reopening within the sector.

The Emmanuel leadership team and the Board will reassess further closure as the situation continues to evolve.

Thank you,

Dana Bernhardt, Executive Director

Eve Nadler, Board Chair

COVID-19: Centre Closure Extended

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Dear Emmanuel Families,

The safety of our families, children, and employees continues to be our top priority at Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre.

In accordance with the State of Emergency in Ontario, Emmanuel at Brighton must remain closed until May 19, 2020. Another two-week extension on the State of Emergency is anticipated to align with the announcement that schools will remain closed until May 31, 2020.

The Emmanuel leadership team and the Board will reassess further closure as the situation continues to evolve.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Leadership Announcement: Dana Bernhardt to serve as new Executive Director

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The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dana Bernhardt as Executive Director at Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre. Dana will start her role as Executive Director on April 6, 2020.

Dana is a visionary and people-focused leader with the ability to provide strategic oversight, leadership, and support. Dana currently serves as Director of Operations, Child Care at the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo where she has developed strategic work plans, provided coaching to supervisors, and developed strong partnerships with employees and community members.

Dana has previously held supervisory roles at the Region of Waterloo where, in part, she coordinated and implemented Raising the Bar. Dana has also worked as Supervisor at Moppet Parent Participating Preschool and spent nearly ten years as an educator at Waterloo Infant Toddler Daycare Association and Owl Child Care Services.

A dedicated lifelong learner, Dana has been a RECE since 1998, holds an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Studies from Guelph-Humber, and completed her Master of Education at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2019.

The Board is confident that Dana’s leadership, commitment to employee engagement and wealth of experience will support the Centre’s work in fulfilling the strategic plan and that she will be a valuable addition to the team.

The entire Board would also like to extend our gratitude to Kelly Birch-Baker for her leadership and contributions in fulfilling aspects of the ED role as part of the interim leadership plan. Her work in supporting employees, children and parents has been so greatly appreciated. We know that her passion and commitment will continue to support the Centre in meaningful ways in her continued role as Director of Operations, and we look forward to seeing her continued impact as the strategic plan is brought to life.

Eve Nadler
Board Chair, Emmanuel at Brighton Childcare Centre

Career Notice: Executive Director, Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre

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Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre has served as a keystone of the Waterloo community for more than 50 years. Our not-for-profit centre provides the highest quality care for over 120 children each and every day. We are proud to be an inclusive, innovative and adaptive centre that exceeds the needs and expectations of our families and community.

Currently, Emmanuel is seeking an experienced and innovative Executive Director (ED) to join our centre.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will provide strategic oversight and pursue growth in alignment with our community-informed strategic plan. The ED will ensure the ongoing delivery of quality care and centre operations through the empowerment and engagement of our amazing employees and educators.

Success in this role will require expertise across several core competencies: visionary & strategic thinking; leadership; relationship development; finance & fund development; not-for-profit oversight; and human resources. This strategic role is ideally suited for someone passionate about serving as a community leader, pursuing lifelong learning, and growing bright futures.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and encourage you to share this opportunity with your network.

The full job description and details on applying can be found at: emmanuelchildcare.ca/careers/executive-director. Questions related to the position or hiring process can be sent to emmanuelhiring@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Recruitment & Hiring Committee

Call for nominations for the Emmanuel Board of Directors

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Update November 10, 2019: An additional vacancy has become available on the Board. Recruitment for the 2019-20 term will now seek five new members. Approval of Board membership will take place at the Annual General Meeting, happening on December 3rd.

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Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre has been a keystone in the Waterloo community for more than 50 years. Our centre is a family and the history and values that connect us can be seen in every aspect of who we are — from our nurturing care to the strategic governance provided by our Board.

In 2019 Emmanuel will launch an ambitious, new strategic plan that outlines direction and focus for organizational growth in the years ahead. Employee engagement, fund development, program growth, and governance excellence are key priorities

Call for Nominations

Are you passionate about advancing learning through nature and growing bright futures in Waterloo Region? Nominations are now open for the Board of Directors at Emmanuel at Brighton Childcare Centre.

Four positions are available. Community members, parents (past, current, future), and friends of Emmanuel are encouraged to apply.

In alignment with our forthcoming strategic plan, we are seeking the following skills:

  • Passion for forest- and nature-based programming

  • Financial, including fundraising and fund development

  • Strategic relationship development

  • Human Resources

  • Communication

  • Legal

Please complete and submit your application form (PDF or Word) to Rebecca Pope, Chair of the Nominations Committee, by Tuesday November 5th, 2019. More information on the current Board membership can be found at emmanuelchildcare.ca/board.

Emmanuel at Brighton Interim Leadership Plan Update

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We would like to share the update that, as part of the Emmanuel at Brighton interim leadership plan, Kelly Birch-Baker, Director of Operations, has graciously agreed to cover portions of the Executive Director (ED) role on a temporary basis while formal recruitment for the new ED is completed. Kelly has been with Emmanuel 35 years and holds a deep understanding of the Centre’s core values. She will apply her years of expertise to ensure quality of care and business continuity, while supporting employees throughout the transition period.

Kelly’s expanded role will focus on leadership, board relations, policy management, human resource management, partnerships, funding and finance, administration, program management, operations, and compliance with relevant legislative requirements. Kelly will remain reachable at emmchild@emmanuelchildcare.ca or through the office line: 519-886-3610. Please note that correspondence to director@emmanuelchildcare.ca will only be periodically monitored.

As a next step in the leadership transition, a recruitment committee is now being formed with representation from the Board of Directors (including current parents) and Emmanuel employees. This committee will work to articulate the strategic competencies and skills required for the ED role and propose a hiring process for Board approval. The committee will seek a candidate that can fulfill continued delivery of quality care, rooted in Emmanuel’s values, while also supporting innovative growth in alignment with the strategic plan. Applications from within Emmanuel as well as outside the Centre will be welcome. It is a priority for the Board that the hiring process is both fair and transparent. To this end, full details will be shared with all employees once finalized.

In closing, we want to extend our thanks to Kelly for her continued leadership and to all of the employees for their ongoing dedication. Your questions, comments and concerns on the transition process continue to be welcome to chair@emmanuelchildcare.ca.

Sincerely,
Eve Nadler, Chair, on behalf of the Board of Directors, Emmanuel at Brighton

Notice of Leadership Transition at Emmanuel at Brighton

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On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Emmanuel at Brighton announces the departure of Bonnie Zehr as Executive Director of Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre, effective July 18th, 2019. 

Throughout her years of service, Bonnie has given her whole heart to the children and families of Emmanuel. The organization has seen many successes during her tenure, including the creation of new classrooms, the expansion of outdoor and forest programming, and continued stability through an ever-changing legislative landscape.

The Board thanks Bonnie for her contributions in her many years as an educator and in her central role as Executive Director since 2006, and wishes her well in her next endeavours. 

In the coming months, we will work to realize the first steps of an ambitious new strategic plan that outlines direction and focus for organizational growth in the years ahead. We are hopeful and excited for the next chapter of Emmanuel at Brighton as we continue to support our children, families, and community. 

Acknowledging that changes such as these present both challenge and opportunity, over the next few weeks we will initiate the search process to hire a new Executive Director for Emmanuel at Brighton. During this transition period, our priority is to continue to deliver the highest quality of childcare with support from interim leadership and Emmanuel’s dedicated employees.

Sincerely, 

Eve Nadler, Chair, on behalf of the Board of Directors, Emmanuel at Brighton