Suchitra Yadav – Early Learning and Child Care Diploma – Class of 2022
The Yellowknife Day Care Association is a busy place.
For a city in high demand for early child care, Suchitra Yadav is one worker that many residents have come to know for more than a decade as she has helped ensure the early learning environment excels. After immigrating to Canada from Nepal in 2009, Suchitra settled in Yellowknife and began working at YKDA.
“I’ve spent over 16 years working with preschool and afterschool-aged children,” Suchitra says. “I love the way children see the world. Every day is an opportunity to make a difference in their lives.”
After working nearly a decade at YKDA, however, Suchitra decided to strengthen her skills and develop new career opportunities. She enrolled in Aurora College’s Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) program, completing her certificate in 2018 and diploma in 2022. She ended up returning to YKDA as a Program Manager at YKDA, where she oversees daily operations, supports educators, and oversees quality learning environments.
“The ELCC program gave me the confidence to grow,” she says. “I learned how children develop at every stage, and I continue to learn and evolve with them.”
For Suchitra, she found many aspects of the ELCC program impactful including the hands-on learning opportunities and strong support from instructors. A standout experience was her involvement in a playgroup association offering free sessions for children aged 0–5 in the community—an initiative that helped her apply her learning in real-world settings.
“There’s a high demand for qualified early childhood educators in the North,” she explains. “The College’s focus on Indigenous knowledge and Northern culture helps prepare educators to support children and families in meaningful ways.”
Suchitra encourages anyone considering the program to take the leap.
“Education is the most powerful toolbox. The ELCC program doesn’t just prepare you for a job—it prepares you to help shape the future.”
