Catherine Burnett: Founder & Early Childhood Educator

Early Discoveries was founded by Catherine Burnett in the spring of 2003. Driven by her passion for working with children and her conviction that “Quality Care and Education go together” she created an innovative program where children develop and learn through their world of play.

Catherine is a fully qualified Early Childhood Educator, and has completed post basic courses on both Special Needs, and Infant & Toddler Care. She has been working with children professionally since 1985. She enrolled into the Early Childhood Education (E.C.E) program in 1994, and has been teaching preschool since that time. For many years she worked alongside children with special needs as a Teaching Assistant, working to support them in the classroom.

She was born and raised on the North Shore and had been teaching Preschool in the West Vancouver Community since 1995 before relocating to Squamish in 2010. In 2011 Catherine moved from teaching Preschool (children aged 3-5) and afterschool care (children aged 5-12) to working in a home based facility with multi ages. In September of 2014 Early Discoveries returned to offering Preschool Aged (children aged 3-5) programs. Catherine believes “Together we’re better”. She works with local schools and universities to have the classroom open and available for students in the field of Early Childhood Education to come observe and learn.

Awards & Achievements

• 2006 Prime Minister’s Award in recognition for her extraordinary work with young children and families. Only 25 Prime Minister’s Awards are awarded nationally every 2 years to the top 25 ranked Early Childhood Educators in Canada.
• 2007 ECE Conference Keynote Speaker: “How to Set the Stage for Learning”. Catherine also presented a “Little Masters” workshop on bringing fine arts into the classroom. She is known for taking children outdoors to paint and explore the colours of nature like our famous BC resident Emily Carr once did.
• Music Together Teacher Training (2009 & 2010): a research-based, developmentally appropriate music curriculum based on the recognition that all children are musical.
• Columnist in North Shore Magazine‘s “Got Kids” section. Catherine’s “Learn Through Play” column promoted opportunities for parents to engage in meaningful activities with their children while learning through play.
• Provides training workshops for educators in the field of Early Childhood Education

Catherine has been described by her peers as passionately dedicated to her profession and an advocate for children. She firmly believes learning should be fun. She is best known for her ability to inspire, her creative programming and warmth when dealing with children and families.