ABOUT MDNS

Your Partner in Early Childhood Education

Merrickville Day Nursery School offers a program that follows “How Does Learning Happen?” pedagogy (HDLH?) and ensure our program aligns with the Ontario Ministry of Education’s policies and curriculum.

High-quality early learning experiences with warm and supportive relationships help children feel happier, less anxious, and more motivated to learn.

The staff at MDNS see all children as competent and capable, complex thinking humans, rich in potential and full of curiosity. Every child should feel like they belong and are a valuable part in their learning environment and they deserve opportunities to succeed.

MDNS believes that the children’s families should also feel like they belong and are equal contributors to their child’s learning and success.  We want families to feel engaged in a meaningful way.  The educators at MDNS are knowledgeable and caring professionals.  They collaborate with each other to create engaging environments and attend professional learning events in order to expand their training and network with professionals from other centers.

Join The Waitlist

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My son loves spending his days at Merrickville daycare.

He is excited to go every morning and even wants to be there on the weekends! We feel very comfortable leaving him at the centre and know he will be well taken care of by the wonderful staff. We couldn’t be happier and neither could our son! 🙂

Mark and Camille Stenhouse

Meet The Team

Dana

Daycare Cook

Favourite things:
Hawaiian Pizza, Jelly Bellies, my family

Fun facts:
I like hunting for antiques

Your favourite inspirational quote:
Make it a Great Day  – JRR

One thing on your bucket list:
RV trip through Alaska

One life lesson you’ve learned from a child:
Don’t stop, keep persevering

Amanda

RECE, Toddler Room teacher

How many years as an educator:
Almost 12 years. I started at MDNS in November 2012

Favourite things:
Cats, Reading, Spending time with my loved ones

Fun facts:
I taught myself to juggle (I can’t do it for long), I try and read a minimum of 12 books a year

Your class Motto or a favourite inspirational quote:
“The more that you read, The more things you will know. The more that you learn, The more places you’ll go.” – Dr Seuss

One thing on your bucket list:
To have a library in my own home

One life lesson you’ve learned from a child:
Always have fun!

Carrissa MacGregor

RECE, school age room educator

How many years as an educator:
16 years

Favourite things:
Playing with my puppy, reading, crafting, daily exercise, cooking/baking, working on the family farm, live music

Fun facts:
I love bringing children and agriculture together in interactive and accessible ways

Your class Motto or a favourite inspirational quote:
“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think”. Margaret Mead

One thing on your bucket list:
Go whale watching

One life lesson you’ve learned from a child:
Embrace your inner child, never stop playing

Ava Scott

Summer Staff/Supply Staff

Years as an educator
First year!

Favourite things:
Skiing, a good book, and iced coffee!

Fun fact:
My first job was working as a Ski Instructor for kids 3-12 years old

Your class Motto or a favourite inspirational quote:
“Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it” – Anne of Green Gables

One thing on your bucket list:
Visit Greece

One life lesson you’ve learned from a child:
Always strive to be “big happy!”

Grace Charland

Preschool Educator and ECE student

How many years as an educator:
2.5 years

Favourite things:
Spending time on the water and her cottage on Charleston Lake, snowmobiling, and her family

Fun facts:
I have worked on a Barge

Your class Motto or a favourite inspirational quote:
I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship

One thing on your bucket list:
To have pasta in Italy

One life lesson you’ve learned from a child:
You can start over a million times in a day

Bobbi Sue Smith

RECE, Preschool room educator

How many years as an educator:
I graduated from the ECE program at Perth Algonquin in 2020 and have been in the field since then. In the last 4 years I have worked in a Montessori for a year and a half before coming to MDNS as a preschool educator.

Favourite things:
My family, the wilderness and animals, working with children.

Our class moto:
“If a child cannot learn in the way we teach, we must teach in a way the children can learn”. “No need to cry over spilt milk”. “Straight to the bathroom, HONEEEY”. “If at first we don’t succeed, we try, try again”.

One thing on your bucket list:
Travel the world.

One life lesson I have learned from a child:
I’m doing a “good job”. “I am patient and loved”. “To plan for a successful program, we need to lead with the children’s interests and inquiries!”

Kayla Donaldson

Toddler Room Educator

How many years as an educator:
I’ve been an educator for 2 years here and have cared for many children previously.

Favourite things:
Photography, art and camping!

Fun facts:
I’m the oldest of 9 and I’ve met the cast from Oak Island NS tv show

Your class Motto or a favourite inspirational quote:
“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’M POSSIBLE’ “- Audrey Hepburn

One thing on your bucket list:
I’d like to travel somewhere tropical and to get my full ECE education!

One life lesson you’ve learned from a child:
Remembering the joy of simple things, especially in the busy day to day life!

High Quality Care • NurturingEnvironment • Play-Based Learning • Family Engagement • Ages 18 months to 13 years • Merrickville • Exploration • Creativity • Critical thinking • Learn • Grow • Thrive •High Quality Care • NurturingEnvironment • Play-Based Learning • Family Engagement • Ages 18 months to 13 years • Merrickville • Exploration • Creativity • Critical thinking • Learn • Grow • Thrive •