Our Story
We started a program called Aspire Preschool because we kept meeting families who were doing “all the right things,” yet their children still needed more than a traditional preschool could offer—support that was play-based, relationship-driven, and clinically informed. We built Aspire as a therapeutic preschool where children could grow communication, regulation, and learning skills in a way that felt safe, joyful, and developmentally appropriate.
Over time, the need became even clearer: all families wanted these important foundations for their children—so Aspire became the seed for The Yarrow Centre, a larger vision for evidence-based early learning that builds resilience, connection, and lifelong wellbeing for all children.
We started a program called Aspire Preschool because we kept meeting families who were
doing “all the right things,” yet their children still needed more than a traditional preschool
could offer—support that was play-based, relationship-driven, and clinically informed. We built Aspire as a therapeutic preschool where children could grow communication, regulation, and
learning skills in a way that felt safe, joyful, and developmentally appropriate.
Our Story
Sarah Stepaniuk,
MSc, RSLP
Registered
Speech-Language Pathologist
Sarah is an enthusiastic multi-tasker who brings energy and endless ideas to the ownership team. She is passionate about supporting children’s communication and development in meaningful, relationship-based ways. When she’s not working, she loves going on adventures with her husband and young children
Shantelle Soto,
MA
Board-Certified
Behavior Analyst
Shantelle brings a grounding presence to the ownership team through her calm, steady, and thoughtful approach. She is deeply committed to trauma-informed practice and creating environments where children and families feel supported. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature with her grandson.
Our Story
Over time, the need became even clearer: all families wanted these important foundations for
their children—so Aspire became the seed for The Yarrow Centre, a larger vision for evidence-
based early learning that builds resilience, connection, and lifelong wellbeing for all children.
The Yarrow Centre & Aspire Preschool
Co-owned by Sarah Stepaniuk, a Speech- Language Pathologist, and Shantelle Soto, a Behavior Analyst.
With years of experience supporting children and families, they created these programs to bridge high-quality early learning with clinically informed practice - so children build regulation, communication, flexible thinking, and strong relationships in a setting that feels warm, playful and grounded.
With years of experience supporting children and families, they created these programs to bridge high-quality early learning with clinically informed practice - so children build regulation, communication, flexible thinking, and strong relationships in a setting that feels warm, playful and grounded.
The Yarrow Centre & Aspire Preschool are co-owned by Sarah Stepaniuk, a Speech- Language Pathologist, and Shantelle Soto, a Behavior Analyst.
Sarah Stepaniuk,
MSc, RSLP
Registered
Speech-Language Pathologist
Sarah is an enthusiastic multi-tasker who brings energy and endless ideas to the ownership team. She is passionate about supporting children’s communication and development in meaningful, relationship-based ways. When she’s not working, she loves going on adventures with her husband and young children.
Shantelle Soto,
MA
Board-Certified
Behavior Analyst
Shantelle brings a grounding presence to the ownership team through her calm, steady, and thoughtful approach. She is deeply committed to trauma-informed practice and creating environments where children and families feel supported. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature with her grandson.
Aspire Preschool was developed because we kept meeting families who were doing “all the right things,” yet their children still needed more than a traditional preschool could offer—support that was play-based, relationship-driven, and clinically informed. We built Aspire as a therapeutic preschool where children could grow communication, regulation, and learning skills in a way that felt safe, joyful, and developmentally appropriate. Over time, the need became even clearer: families wanted these protective foundations earlier, more consistently, and within a broader early learning model—so Aspire became the seed for The Yarrow Centre, a larger vision for evidence-based early learning that builds resilience, connection, and lifelong wellbeing.
