Meet the Meraki Staff

Vicki Costas – Educator

Vicki Costas is a dedicated educator with extensive experience working with young children. She plays an active role at Meraki Early Learning Centre, assisting her daughter, Danae Spittel, in creating a nurturing and enriching daycare environment.

A graduate of Simon Fraser University, Vicki began her teaching career at the Hellenic Community of Vancouver in 2002, where she taught preschool through grade 2 until 2018. In 2003, she expanded her expertise by attending the University of Crete, participating in a summer teaching program for Greek language education abroad.

Throughout her career, Vicki has been passionate about early childhood development. She has:
    •    Organized school plays and concerts
    •    Developed comprehensive lesson plans
    •    Written report cards and tracked student progress
    •    Maintained strong relationships with parents to support children’s learning

With her wealth of experience and deep commitment to education, Vicki continues to inspire and nurture young learners at Meraki Early Learning Centre.

From left to right: Danae & Vicki

 

 

Iakovos (Jack) Chondroyannos

Iakovos, also known as Jack, has been working with children since 2022 and holds both his Responsible Adult certificate and first aid certification. As a dedicated co-founder of Meraki Early Learning Centre alongside his partner Danae Spittel, Jack is passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging environment for children.

With a background in graphic design, Jack brings creativity into the daycare, incorporating art activities that inspire and excite the children. He finds joy in learning alongside Danae every day, continuously growing in his role as an educator. His greatest passion lies in witnessing the positive effects of children interacting, learning, and building friendships with one another.

Before entering early childhood education, Jack spent years in the restaurant industry, starting at just nine years old. His experience has taught him invaluable skills in customer care, communication, and patience—qualities that serve him well in working with children and families. Jack’s warmth, creativity, and dedication make him a cherished part of the Meraki Early Learning Centre community.

From left to right: Danae, Jack & Meli