About Us

The Gulf Island Early Learning Society is a non-profit organization that is operated by a dedicated group of parent volunteers (our board of directors) and our certified Early Childhood Educators. The Early Learning Centre (ELC) offers full-time care to children ages 3-5, while Little Rainbows offers infant and toddler care to those under the age of 3.

Our History

The Salt Spring Early Learning Centre began as SSI Daycare in 1978 by a group of islanders, including local educators Barb Aust and Robin Andison. In 1983, the SSI Daycare Society (now known as The Gulf Island Early Learning Society) was created, operating with a volunteer board of directors and charitable donors.

Over its history, SSI Daycare acquired a reputation for delivering high quality early learning. It has attracted capable and loyal staff over the years including Aileen Neish and Andrea Hollingsworth. These two women were instrumental in the centre’s early success. SSI Daycare eventually became Salt Spring Early Learning Centre (SSELC), to reflect its focus on offering modern, research-based early learning, delivered by trained and certified early learning educators.

In 2009, the Society was fortunate to receive a legacy donation which enabled them to purchase a permanent home for the centre—a beautifully restored twentieth century building at 115 Drake Road. In 2016, the building was named Laurel R. Bauchman Building, in honour of Laurel Bauchman who served on the board for many years.

In 2023, the Gulf Island Early Learning Society supported the opening of Little Rainbows Early Learning Centre, to better meet the needs of the community. Today, Little Rainbows remains one of the only centres on the island focused solely on infant and toddler care.