Business Details
25 Years
experience
Your Trusted Childcare & Montessori Partner in Oakville
GlenAbbeyChildcare has been nurturing children's growth and development since 2001, with a dedicated focus on creating safe, engaging environments that foster confidence, independence, and school readiness. Our programs, rooted in Montessori principles, are designed to meet the unique needs of children aged 14 months to 11 years through a balanced approach of play-based learning and structured activities. Our team of experienced Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) brings decades of expertise to our toddler, preschool, and school-age programs, ensuring each child receives personalized attention in a supportive setting. We maintain strict staff-to-child ratios across all our licensed programs, which accommodate up to 107 children daily, with specialized meal plans following Canada's Food Guide.Our commitment to excellence extends to transparent communication with families through daily reports, Brightwheel app updates, and responsive parent engagement. As a community-focused organization, we prioritize accessibility through fair waitlist policies while maintaining high standards of care that have earned us consistent praise from families. Our leadership team, including President Deki Shukla, combines entrepreneurial vision with hands-on childcare experience to create environments where children thrive and parents feel confident in their child's development.
Services
Toddler Care
Pre-CASA Program
Montessori Program
Before & After School Care
Summer Camps
Parent Communication Tools
Waitlist Management
Licensed Childcare
Nutritious Meal Programs
Early Childhood Education
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We offer Montessori-based programs fostering independence and curiosity.
- Our team includes experienced RECEs with over 15 years in childcare.
- Licensed for 107 children with strict staff-to-child ratios.
- Nutritious meals prepared on-site following Canada Food Guide.
- Flexible waitlist policies ensuring fair access to programs.
Associations and certifications
- Ministry of Education - Childcare Quality Assurance and Licensing
What people say
Friendly and courteous staff
Excellent teachers
Kids are happy and safe
Phenomenal staff
Issues addressed immediately
Services
Toddler Care
Our Toddler Care program serves children aged 14 months to 2.6 years, focusing on physical development and social skills through nurturing guidance. We create confidence-building environments with 1:5 staff-to-child ratios, supporting emerging milestones through age-appropriate activities. This foundational program prepares toddlers for smooth transitions to preschool learning while maintaining strict safety standards.
Montessori Program
The Montessori Program for ages 2.5-6 years combines Maria Montessori's principles with modern educational practices. Our classrooms feature specialized materials that encourage independent exploration while developing critical thinking skills. With 1:8 staff-to-child ratios, we balance teacher-directed instruction with child-initiated learning to cultivate lifelong curiosity and academic readiness in a structured yet flexible environment.
Before & After School Care
Our Before & After School Care program supports JK/SK to 11-year-olds with safe, educational environments outside regular school hours. Operating 7:00am-5:30pm daily, we provide homework assistance, recreational activities, and social development opportunities with 1:15 staff-to-child ratios. This program offers structured routines while allowing flexibility for individual learning needs and family schedules.
Summer Camps
Summer Camps for JK/SK to 11-year-olds combine educational field trips with creative activities in a fun, supervised setting. Our camps feature weekly themes like nature walks, museum tours, and seasonal crafts, maintaining 1:15 staff-to-child ratios. These programs promote social development through peer interaction while providing structured learning experiences that prevent summer learning loss.
Parent Communication Tools
We maintain transparent communication through daily reports for toddlers and the Brightwheel app for preschool classrooms. Our systems provide real-time updates on children's activities, meals, and developmental progress. With multiple contact channels including in-person meetings, phone calls, and email, we ensure parents stay informed about their child's daily experiences and any important center updates.
People
Deki Shukla
President
Deki Shukla is a single mother of three and entrepreneur who owns three childcare centers in Ontario. Born to a Tibetan refugee mother, she overcame early hardships to build a successful childcare and real estate career while maintaining active community involvement through charitable work and Rotary Club leadership.
Michelle DaCosta
Manager
Michelle DaCosta has 18 years of experience as a Registered Early Childhood Educator. She manages multiple childcare centers in Ontario and holds an ECE diploma from 2006. As both a professional educator and mother of a young child, she combines personal and professional experience to create welcoming environments for families.
Amy Desousa
Supervisor
Amy Desousa brings 15+ years of RECE experience to her supervisory role. Formerly an Educational Assistant with the Halton District School Board, she works with children aged 12 months to grade 12, including those with special needs. Her focus is on creating inclusive environments that connect families with community resources.
Amanda Hoytema
Assistant Supervisor
Amanda Hoytema has worked at Glen Abbey since 2017 and is currently pursuing her ECE diploma at Fanshawe College. She balances her childcare career with family life, bringing personal experience as a parent to her role while maintaining commitment to creating nurturing educational environments.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We serve children aged 14 months to 11 years through our Toddler Care, Pre-CASA, Montessori, and Before & After School programs.
Are meals provided?
Yes, we prepare breakfast, lunch, and snacks on-site following Canada's Food Guide, with meals included in our program fees.
How are waitlist spots assigned?
Waitlist priority follows: 1) internal graduates, 2) siblings, 3) staff children, 4) full-time care needs, with registration dates determining order within categories.
Are you licensed?
Yes, we're licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Education for 107 children with separate licensing for our half-day preschool program.
What is your staff-to-child ratio?
Our ratios are: Toddler 1:5, Preschool 1:8, Junior Kindergarten 1:13, and School Age 1:15, exceeding minimum regulatory requirements.
