ABOUT
JLC Victoria was born out of a passion for Japanese bilingual education in Canada.
A mother had an idea of opening the first Japanese immersion preschool in Victoria for her own child in 2017. Since her idea became into reality in 2018, this first and only licensed Japanese immersion childcare on Vancouver Island has been growing with wonderful educators and the local community.
We value "LEARN THROUGH PLAY" method and strongly believe that children learn the best through play; therefor, our priority is to keep our activities always fun and enjoyable for children.
We value "JAPANESE ONLY" policy and keep it strict. It is important that children are immersed into Japanese environment to learn Japanese language and culture as natural as possible while having fun. Our goal is NOT to force them to study Japanese but to make them coming back to our programs to use Japanese!
OUR PHILOSOPHY
HOLISTIC EDUCATION
We believe in the importance of well-rounded education.
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY
We value child-initiated free play to cultivate child's independence of mind.
DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM
We value individual differences and stimulate growth individually.
POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL GUIDANCE
We value positive guidance to respect every stage of child's growth.
MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION,
We believe in the benefits bestowed by diversity.
OUR TEAM
AYAKO INOUE
Founder/School Director/Educator
Language education has been always Ayako's passion, and she has been teaching children both in Japan and Canada while deepening her knowledge & experience in business management, working at global corporations. After settling in Victoria, she decided to open the first Japanese immersion preschool in Victoria with Yuri.
YURI POMEROY
Preschool Principal/ Educator (ECE)
Yuri has raised her own children in Japanese in Victoria and pursued her career as an Early Childhood Educator. She has worked in the local daycare facility for over 10 years and she has been also teaching children Japanese language & culture in Victoria over 20 years.
MIZUHO KASHIWAGI
Educator (ECE)/ Office Administrator
Mizuho's journey as an Early Childhood Educator began in Japan as licensed nursery teacher in 2011. She took the ECE program in Canada while raising her own children and became an ECE in 2021. She has been working as an educator as well as office administrator since 2020.
AYA MIZUKAMI
Educator (ECE)/ Office Administrator
Aya has a kindergarten teacher license in Japan and became an ECE in Canada in 2021. She has tremendous experience in early childhood education both in Japan and Canada, not only as a preschool/kindergarten teacher but also as a professional nanny in Canada over ten years .
KEIKO PIMLOTT
Educator
Keiko has over-10-years of experience in teaching Japanese for preschoolers in Victoria while she raised her own children. She has been working for JLC preschool program since 2018.
MIYOKO ABE
Educator
Miyoko worked as a kindergarten teacher in Japan before moving to Canada. She has been also teaching Japanese for kindergarten children in Victoria over ten years. She joined our team in 2020.