Cordova Bay Preschool 2.61

The Cordova Bay Co-op Preschool (CBP) is a bright and cheerful parent-participation preschool with a philosophy of “learning through Play”. This philosophy provides children with the opportunity to learn about interacting with friends in a playful open environment and encourages emotional and social development. It also provides parents with an opportunity to participate in their child’s first school experience.

Our licensed Early Childhood Educator (ECE) has a wonderful way of engaging both children and parents in learning.

Cordova Bay Preschool is located in beautiful Cordova Bay behind St. David-by-the-Sea Church, in the municipality of Saanich, British Columbia and is a member of the Vancouver Island Cooperative Preschool Association (VICPA)

A big thank you to our supporter The Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs (CBA)


Meet the Teachers


Leasa Gatschene

Leasa is our licensed Early Childhood Educator who brings 20 years of experience to our program. Along with her formal education at Camosun College, Leasa has gained much knowledge of early education through practical experiences. Most of her teaching has been with three to five year olds in a preschool setting, however, she also has experience working in a toddler center, a kindergarten program, parent and tot programs, and as an aid to a child with special needs.

Leasa feels the empathy and understanding she has gained in her role as “Mom” to three children is a valuable asset to her partnership with parents in the cooperative setting.

Leasa encourages children to learn how to interact with others through one on one play and group activities.


Martine Norris

Martine is our Assistant Early Childhood Educator who for the last seven years has been teaching Fun with French at the Commonwealth Place, and has also taught parent and toddler classes.

Working with children has been a passion of Martine ‘s for many years, and her philosophy for learning is that each child is unique, and that each child learns in a different way. One of Martine’s jobs as the Assistant ECE is to help each child discover his or her individuality and work alongside them to maximize it. She believes in hands-on experiences, learning creatively and learning through play.

This will be Martine’s first year at the preschool and she is really looking forward to getting to know the parents and the children this upcoming school year.


Sophie Suzuki

Sophie has been working with young children in Saanich for the last 10 years. She started with her Home Based Day Care and then continued her studies to become an Early Childhood Educator. After earning her ECE certificate, she taught at Arbutus Grove Children Centre in Cadboro Bay for three years. This past year she has been on maternity leave to care for her second child. Along with being available for Cordova Bay Preschool, Sophie will be teaching the Fun with French program for Saanich at Commonwealth Place.

With her eldest child being in the First Grade at Cordova Bay Elementary, Sophie is very proud and excited to continue to be involved in the Cordova Bay Community.

Sophie’s love and understanding of children paired with her enthusiasm creates creative environment for young ones to learn with confidence.