Our Team

since 2006

Core management team

Founder & Owner

Rachel Khan RECE

With more than three decades of experience in early childhood education and childcare, I have dedicated my career to supporting children and families and creating nurturing environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

As a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) designation over 30 years ago I began building a career grounded in compassion, inclusion, and a deep commitment to the well-being of every child. Early in my professional journey, I worked at Giant Steps, where my role was to support children with special needs. During my time there, I worked one-on-one with a student with Autism for two years, this was an experience that strengthened my understanding of individualized care and the importance of meeting each child where they are.

I joined the York Region District School Board and for the next eight years I gained valuable experience working within the education system and further developing my expertise in supporting children’s learning and development.

In 2006, Distillery District Early Learning was established and my entrepreneurial journey began. Together, Lucy and I built a childcare program founded on the belief that children thrive in a safe, welcoming, and enriching environment in which they can develop with confidence and joy. Today overseeing two centres we share the dedication and commitment to families and the community.

Founder & Owner

Lucy Khan

My journey into child care began when I became a parent myself. Like many parents, I wanted to create a nurturing and welcoming environment where children could feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn and grow. What started as a personal connection to early learning soon grew into a passion and entrepreneurial journey that has shaped the past 20 years of my life.

For two decades, I have had the privilege of owning and operating multiple child care centres and being part of the lives of countless children and families in our community. Building successful centres from the ground up, developing dedicated teams, and creating environments that families can trust have been some of my greatest accomplishments.

My commitment to the child care sector extends beyond the centres I operate. I also oversee a staffing agency that helps child care centres connect with qualified and reliable educators through the apps and digital platforms the industry relies on today. My goal is to make quality staffing more accessible while helping centres find the right educators when they need them most.

I am also proud to serve on the Community Board at Computek College, where I have the opportunity to contribute to the development of quality training and help support the next generation of Early Childhood Educators entering the field.

Child care is not simply a business to me. It is a career rooted in my experience as a parent, a genuine passion for children, and a deep commitment to the families, educators, and communities we serve. After 20 years in the industry, I remain passionate about creating spaces where children can thrive, educators can grow, and families feel confident knowing their children are in caring and capable hands.

Supervisor

Susy De Sousa RECE

For 20 years, Susy has been an incredible part of the Distillery District Early Learning family. She has been with us since the very beginning, starting her journey as an RECE in our classrooms and growing into the amazing leader she is today.

Throughout her 20 years with us, Susy’s dedication, organizational skills, and genuine care for children, families, and her colleagues have made her an invaluable part of our Centre. Her warm and welcoming personality creates an environment where children feel safe and cared for, families feel comfortable and supported, and staff feel valued.

Today, Susy serves as our Supervisor, overseeing a team of more than 26 staff members while managing the day-to-day operations of our Centre. Her ability to keep everything organized, support her team, solve problems, and ensure that the Centre runs smoothly is truly remarkable.

Susy is always willing to lend a helping hand and step in wherever she is needed. Her commitment goes far beyond her role — she is someone our staff, families, and children can count on every day.

Over the past 20 years, we have had the privilege of watching Susy grow professionally and personally alongside our Centre. From her early days in the classroom to becoming a leader who plays such an important role in our daily operations, her journey is a wonderful part of our Centre’s story.

the heart of our centre

Our staff

Our dedicated RECE and ECA educators, cooks and chefs are at the heart of our centre. We are proud to have a team of experienced professionals, many of whom have been with us for many years, providing children and families with consistency, care, and a strong sense of community.

We carefully select qualified educators who bring both expertise and a genuine passion for working with children. We also welcome students completing their placements with us, giving them the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience while learning alongside our experienced team.

RECE educators ECA educators Cooks & chefs Placement students

Come meet us!