Acorn Daycare is proud to be led by staff that have been honoured with a Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education. This certificate of achievement honours outstanding early childhood educators who excel at fostering the early development and socialization of the children in their care.

All permanent staff members at Acorn Daycare are trained in the principles and practices of Early Childhood Education (E.C.E), possess current licenses to practice and up-to-date First Aid Certification that are posted in the Centre. All staff are members of the B.C. Government Employees Union. Each staff must renew their license periodically and attend a designated number of hours in workshops and courses to maintain licensure.

Staff members work shifts that ensure legal and appropriate teacher/child ratios. All staff members are screened upon application and undergo a Canada-wide criminal record search conducted by the office of the Attorney General.

Substitute Staff

Substitute staff is hired for short-term replacement of permanent staff, for leaves related to sickness, vacation, administration, professional development, etc. Substitutes are required to have a clear criminal record and qualifications as required by the provincial childcare regulation.

Daphne Sweeney

Manager / Senior Early Childhood Educator

Daphne has been the manager of the Daycare for the past 30 years. While she takes care of the day to day running of the Daycare she enjoys the collegiality of the Acorn team who have worked together for many years. Daphne is committed to providing a high quality Early Childhood Education program and was recognized by the Prime Minister's office when she was awarded a Prime Minister's award for excellence in Early Childhood Education, Certificate of Achievement. Daphne is proud of and enjoys the strong community of Acorn families, past and present, who have demonstrated their enduring support and friendship. Daphne is married and has four grown children who all benefited from attending Acorn Daycare.

Cathy Carson

Early Childhood Educator

Cathy moved from Alberta to BC in 1985 and grew up in a large extended family with four siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles who regularly gathered to cook and share meals together. From a young age, Cathy showed a natural love for caring for children and was often seen looking after her younger cousins. Cathy completed her second specialty in Infant/Toddler care in 2014. Having worked at large childcare centres such as UBC and VSOCC, she has developed a well-rounded understanding of the childcare profession. Cathy believes in following children’s interests to support deeper learning, decision-making, creative problem solving, and resilience. She is passionate about fine arts, crafting, felting, drawing, cooking, and supporting local businesses and artists.

Michella Bech

Early Childhood Educator

Meet Michella, one of the early childhood educators at Acorn 8 Oaks. She completed her education in Denmark as an Early Childhood Educator, with a specialization in early intervention and supporting children with special needs. She also holds Infant/Toddler certification and is passionate about creating inclusive environments where every child feels valued, supported, and encouraged to grow. Michella first joined Acorn in 2023 as a practicum student for six months and has since felt that Acorn is her second home. She values the strong sense of community, warmth, and connection that makes Acorn a special place for children, families, and staff. Michella enjoys supporting children through play, creativity, and meaningful relationships. She especially loves storytelling, imaginative activities, and helping children bring their ideas to life through art, exploration, and hands-on experiences. She believes every child has unique strengths that deserve to be celebrated and nurtured. Michella lives in Squamish with her husband, and together they enjoy spending time in nature, hiking in the mountains, and exploring the outdoors.

Maylinh Nguyen

Early Childhood Educator

Maylinh Nguyen is a student at Langara College studying in the Early Childhood Education program and is excited to be part of the Acorn team. In 2026, she completed her Special Needs certification, further strengthening her ability to support children with diverse needs and abilities. She looks forward to building warm connections with the children, developing her skills in creating play-based curriculum, and learning alongside both the children and educators. Maylinh enjoys sharing her love of children’s literature and plans to bring some of her favourite books to read with the children. She values creating positive learning experiences that inspire curiosity, imagination, and a love of reading. Maylinh is grateful for the opportunity to share her knowledge, enthusiasm, and growing experience while contributing to the caring and supportive Acorn community.