the lake academy
NURTURE . DISCOVER . FLOURISH
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Ontario Licensed Childcare
Ontario Licensed Childcare
The Lake Acadmy takes part in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program. This means our families benefit from reduced fees of just $22 per day, along with enhanced support for our daycare.
Nurture . Discover . Flourish
Nurture . Discover . Flourish
At The Lake Academy, we believe children flourish when they feel nurtured, inspired to discover, and confident in who they are becoming.
From their earliest experiences with us, we create a warm and nurturing foundation where children feel safe, connected, and supported. As their curiosity grows, we encourage them to discover the world around them through meaningful play, exploration, strong relationships, and intentional learning experiences. Along the way, we build upon each child's unique strengths, interests, and development, helping them grow in confidence, independence, and a genuine love of learning.
Our goal is to nurture each child's potential throughout their early learning journey, giving them the strong foundation, skills, and confidence they need to flourish in Kindergarten and beyond.
The Expertise Behind The Lake Academy
The Expertise Behind The Lake Academy
Experienced leadership. Educational expertise. A higher standard for early learning.
The Lake Academy is guided by leaders who bring together expertise in education, early childhood development, curriculum, and childcare operations. Our leadership team combines the perspective of a certified teacher with extensive experience in early learning and the expertise of an experienced Registered Early Childhood Educator and post-secondary professor. Together, they help ensure that everything we do — from our learning environments and educator development to curriculum and individualized learning opportunities — is thoughtful, intentional, and grounded in how children learn best.
Rachel McIntosh, OCT | Owner
Rachel McIntosh, OCT | Owner
Ontario Certified Teacher | Early Learning & Curriculum Leadership
Ontario Certified Teacher | Early Learning & Curriculum Leadership
Rachel McIntosh is an Ontario Certified Teacher with extensive experience in French Immersion and early primary education. Her background in Kindergarten and primary education brings a strong understanding of early literacy, numeracy, child development, and the foundational skills children need as they prepare for school and beyond.
Rachel leads the educational vision of The Lake Academy, helping translate current research and effective teaching practices into meaningful, developmentally appropriate experiences for young children.
Her work is particularly focused on early literacy, explicit and systematic instruction, individualized learning, and creating environments where children are challenged while still having the freedom to explore, play, create, and develop at their own pace.
As an owner and educator, Rachel's goal is simple: to ensure The Lake Academy offers families more than exceptional childcare — it provides a thoughtfully designed early learning experience that gives every child a strong foundation for what comes next.
Tabatha Hoggarth | Director of Operations
Tabatha Hoggarth | Director of Operations
Registered Early Childhood Educator | Professor | Early Childhood Leadership
Registered Early Childhood Educator | Professor | Early Childhood Leadership
Tabatha Hoggarth is a Registered Early Childhood Educator who has dedicated her career to early learning and childcare. A graduate of Conestoga College's Early Childhood Education program, Tabatha has been part of our organization since 2017 and brings extensive experience in early childhood pedagogy, educator mentorship, program leadership, and childcare operations.
In addition to her leadership at The Lake Academy, Tabatha is a part-time professor at Fanshawe College, where she helps educate and mentor future early childhood educators.
At The Lake Academy, Tabatha oversees the day-to-day operation of our programs while supporting and mentoring our educator team. Her combination of practical childcare leadership and post-secondary teaching experience provides an important bridge between early childhood theory and what exceptional practice looks like inside a classroom every day.
Tabatha's leadership helps ensure that the philosophy of The Lake Academy isn't simply something we talk about — it is reflected consistently in our classrooms, our educators, and the experiences we provide for children and families.
Two Perspectives. One Educational Vision.
Two Perspectives. One Educational Vision.
By bringing together expertise from Ontario's education system and the early childhood education profession, Rachel and Tabatha provide complementary perspectives on the years that matter most.
That collaboration shapes The Lake Academy's approach to curriculum, educator development, individualized learning, and school readiness — helping us create an early learning experience that is intentional, evidence-informed, and unmistakably different.
We invite you to become part of our family.
At The Lake Academy, we nurture your child's passions and provide a high-quality early education that prepares them for a future filled with achievement and happiness.
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