Thimblewood Village Play Café is a one-of-a-kind enchanted play village and whimsical café designed for young families on the Saanich Peninsula. It’s a cozy, storybook-inspired space where children explore gentle, imaginative play while their caregivers enjoy locally crafted coffee, a quiet co-working nook, and a moment to breathe. We offer a beautiful, inclusive environment that nurtures connection, community, and creativity. Thimblewood is where play, purpose, and a little everyday magic come together.

Impactful Presence Educational Society was registered under the Societies Act in April 2025.

Tristan Bannister is our Director of Operations, currently working as a BC Independent school administrator and teacher. She holds a B.Ed Elementary and an M.Ed Curriculum Leadership, as well as Montessori teacher training and an Inclusion Support diploma. She is passionate about high-level academic learning and believes that meaningful projects and free play are vital to the holistic development of the child. She is our go-getter and visionary, seamlessly weaving the pedagogy and practices that spark joy and love for learning. She is a proud mom of a little girl who inspires her every day.

Aeryn Bannister is our Director of Education, with over 15 years of education and outreach experience as well as extensive retail management experience. They hold a B.Sc in Physics and Astronomy and an M.Sc in Medical Physics, and now holds a BC Teaching Certificate after completing their B.Ed Secondary. Aeryn strongly believes in the power of play and exploration, even at the high school level, and sees the power of project- and inquiry-based learning for promoting collaboration and deep understanding. They are also a keen manager, developing effective systems and strategies for creating positive work environments and generating award-winning volumes.

Rosemary Addison is our Director of Relations, as well as an experienced primary educator and nature-loving parent of two with a special gift for creating calm, student-led learning environments that nurture the whole child. She is deeply involved in the home learning community of Greater Victoria and is inspired by the rhythms and exploration offered by Willowbrook for her curious, creative children.

The Thimblewood Village Play Café is by the Impactful Presence Educational Society, an incorporated not-for-profit organization registered under the BC Societies Act. This structure allows us to receive grant funding from community organizations and provides additional funding opportunities from the Ministry of Education and Child Care to provide licensed Occasional and School-Aged Care spots.

Wayne Powell, CPA – With an extensive background in not-for-profit management, provincial government finance, governance and negotiations, Wayne offers a broad spectrum of skills and experience to support the establishment and day-to-day financial operations of Thimblewood Village.

Michele Caruana, M.B.A. – The owner of Profitable Play Consulting, Michele is a corporate marketing professional turned local indoor playground business owner who supports the owners of indoor playgrounds create sustainable, profitable businesses by providing courses, resources, and one-on-one consulting.

Jacqueline Flett, LLB – Counsel at Breakwater Law, specializing in Business and Employment Law as well as small business coaching.

Western Design+Build – Women-owned-operated commercial builder and designer, with experience in not-for-profit and educational space design.