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Our Team
Tammy
Hi my name is Tammy Hayes. I have been the proud Owner/Operator of First Steps Daycare since 2000. I am an ECE graduate of Ryerson Polytechnical Institute with a BA. I have been in the childcare profession for over 30 years and I understand Quality Childcare first-hand. Our facility is enveloped with the Professional Development I pride myself in having. I participate in professional development opportunities on an ongoing basis through workshops, conferences, and Institutes. My skills and knowledge...
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Denise
Hello, my name is Denise and I am a loving and caring mother of two wonderful children. After achieving my Nursery Nursing Examination Board Diploma in England, I worked as a daily nanny and later moved on to work as a manager at a daycare with a capacity of 140 children. I have worked in the child care field my whole, adult life and would not change it for the world! Having over 34 years of experience I can honestly say each day has never been the same and I love my profession!
I see the children in my care as...
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Rebecca
Hi, I’m Rebecca! I’m currently in my fourth year of Child, Youth and Family at the University of Guelph. I have loved learning about children in class and continue to learn alongside them at First Steps. Spending time with children and developing a trusting relationship with each child and their families is a privilege, I am grateful for the joys and rewarding experiences each day!
Hannah
Hey, my name is Hannah! I will be attending Mohawk College in September but I've enjoyed working full time at First Steps since June, 2019. Everyday, I am learning more and more about this profession and falling more and more in love! I am very fortunate to have the opportunity of teaching, guiding, befriending and loving the wonderful children in our care. Watching them discover new things and develop new skills bring me as much joy as I observe it bring them. I genuinely believe each and every...
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Becca
Hi, my name is Rebecca Pollington
but, all my friends call me Becca.
I am a recent graduate of the Early Childhood Education program at Conestoga College. As an educator I believe the best way to teach children is through play and by being a co-learner along side the children. Children are eager to learn about the world around them and it’s my belief that we are to encourage this exploration by incorporating their interests into our curriculum. Being an educator isn’t just about teaching it’s also about relationship building...
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Angela
My name is Angela and I’m the cook at First Steps. I studied culinary
nutrition at George Brown College and I believe passionately that proper nutrition is the foundation of good health. I look forward to creating and cooking delicious, healthy meals and snacks for everyone at First Steps.
Julie
Hello, I’m Julie! I am originally from Windsor, Ontario where I graduated from the Early Childhood Education program at St. Clair College. I recently moved to the area and I am so happy to have ended up here at First Steps Early Learning Center! Being an ECE and working with young children is the most rewarding job and it brings me so much joy to come to work seeing those beautiful faces every day. I look forward to continuing to build strong relationships with my coworkers, students, and families here at First Steps.
Lorissa
Hi, my name is Lorissa Schirmer. I enjoy being outdoors and love to go camping. Some of my hobbies are dancing, basketball, and volleyball. I also really love traveling. I've been to Florida, Mexico, and Hawaii. I am hoping to take a trip to Germany soon as I can speak a little German. I love spending time with children and enjoy making connections and getting to know each of their individual personalities. I took my Co-op high school placement here at First Steps and started working here not too long after. I have worked at...
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Katie
Hello my name is Katie! I am a recent graduate from Fanshawe College in Woodstock where I studied Early Childhood Education! I love working with children, watching them learn and grow to their full potential! One of my favourite parts of working with children is seeing that beautiful smile on their face while they are learning and having fun! I look forward to building a strong and loving connection with each individual here at First Steps!
Nikki
Hi everyone, I'm Nikki and I have spent most of my time at First Steps in the preschool rooms - I absolutely love the energy, happiness and inspiration that these preschoolers fill me with each day.
n the next coming years I plan on continuing my education at the University of Guelph. I am happy to be able to continue with First Steps as an occasional supply during this time.
Bree
Hi, my name is Breanna Hill. I have worked with children most of my adult life. From nannying infants to working with teenagers with multiple challenges. I have a behavioural degree as a Child and Youth Worker; I graduated in 2015 from Fanshawe College. I absolutely love it here at First Steps! I started in April 2021 in the Emergency Childcare program at First Step's School Age site. Then, I jumped in at the baby house in August 2021 to help in the preschool rooms, and finally to the Toddler room September 2021. I have an extreme passion for Music and sing to the children almost everyday! Read more...
Candace
Hi, I’m Candace.
I graduated from the Early Childcare Educator program at Conestoga in 2014. I joined First Steps after, I’ve had the pleasure of working in all the programs and learning along side the children ever since. My very own children also have the pleasure of being part of the programs here.
Rachael
Hi! My name is Rachael, I'm a Registered Early Childhood Educator and a recent graduate of the University of Guelph. I have an undergraduate degree in Family Relations & Human Development, with a focus on Child, Youth, & Family studies. I've completed practicum placements that gave me experience in toddler, preschool, and school-age settings. Outside of the classroom, I also have experience working in outdoor education, overnight summer camps, nannying, and online learning programs. I started working at First Steps in January 2022 in a preschool room... Read more
Bethany
Hi, my name is Bethany and I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator here at First Steps Early Learning Center. As I love young children, I have spent most of my life working with them. I began babysitting as a young teenager, worked as an Early Childhood Educator with the Waterloo District School Board for six years, and lived in South Korea for a year and a half where I taught English to children ages three to twelve. I did a Bachelor of Arts at The University of Waterloo and then did my Bachelor of Education at The University of Ottawa. Read more...
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