Mississauga ON – on January 13, 2011, Sylvia Leal, Chief Executive Officer, PLASP Child Care Services, passed away suddenly. Sylvia will be remembered and missed by thousands of children, families, staff and community members whose lives she has touched.

“Sylvia leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for many, many years to come,” said Glen Shipp, President, PLASP Board of Directors. “She was extremely passionate, kind, caring and giving, and the ultimate leader that has made PLASP what it is today.”

For 33 years, under Sylvia’s leadership, PLASP has grown from 3 school age locations to 182 school age locations, 20 early learning and child care centres and recently, 10 locations with before and after school programs for children attending full day kindergarten. With more than 690 staff, PLASP programs can be found throughout Peel and Toronto. PLASP is an award winning organization that has been recognized, for the past 13 years, as providers of the “Best Before and After School Program” and “Best Child Care”.

Sylvia spent her career implementing her strong vision for what child care should be – a warm, caring environment where children are respected, valued and understood. Her passion and vision for high quality child care and early childhood education is visible throughout PLASP programs and centres, as well as shared with many community groups.

Sylvia was a passionate champion for children and a member of many community agency boards and committees including Child Development Resource Connection Peel (CDRCP); Success by 6 Peel, Council of Champions; Fair Share for Peel Task Force; the Multi-site Operators Group in the Region of Peel, and many others throughout the years.Sylvia worked in partnership with school boards, government agencies and many organizations to fulfill her vision.

Sylvia has been the recipient of Credit Valley Hospital’s Dr. Robert Bates Award for her outstanding contribution to the physical, emotional and social well-being of children, and the Week of the Child Award Recipient from the Association of Early Childhood Educators, Peel Branch.

Sylvia will be remembered for the legacy she has left, at PLASP, and the entire child care community. She will be greatly missed