Lower Sackville Nursery School
Welcome to LSNS, an inclusive place for all children to play, learn and grow.
Our Philosophy
Our goal at LSNS is to provide a nurturing, emergent, play-based environment for Early Childhood learning, that promotes diversity, inclusiveness, creativity, exploration and developmental growth.
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Lower Sackville Nursery School is an inclusive community. We welcome all families, inclusive of race, religious beliefs, socioeconomic status, gender identification or orientation, sexual orientation, physical health or mental health. We believe that every child has the potential to learn, grow, and succeed within an inclusive environment.
Our Team
Chelsey vanRossum
Director
I have been working in the Early Childhood field for close to two decades. Throughout that time in the profession, my philosophy on education has grown through professional training, classroom experience, collaboration with educators and families and management experience. I am a lifetime advocate of quality care and play based learning for young children. I believe that educators should strive to be positive role models for children while respecting the cultures, genders, and views of all children and their families.
At LSNS we support the idea that families, communities, and educators should work together to provide all children with a caring and inclusive environment in which to learn and grow. My favorite part of being at LSNS is watching the children enjoy meaningful play experiences in our care.
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I live in the Bedford community with my husband, daughter and golden retriever. In our spare time we enjoy outdoor activities, and being with friends and family.
Candace Fiander
Assistant Director
I have been a level 2 ECE for 15 years. I have worked with all age groups, my longest position was working with infants for six years. I really enjoy helping to create quality programs for young children and mentoring other Early Childhood Educators. I am also currently attending NSCC part time to complete the Office Administration program. I am a wife and mother of 7 year old identical twin boys. We are a very active family and enjoy swimming, camping, and hiking with our Golden Retriever.
Heather Mullan
Assistant Director
Hi, my name is Heather. I have been a qualified Level 2 ECE for 10 years and have experience working with children of all ages. Originally from a small town in Ontario, I have made Nova Scotia my home. In my spare time, I enjoy crocheting and spending time with family. Working with children brings me joy, I especially love observing the funny things they say and do. Children are life's precious original comedians.
Cathy Hebberd
Inclusion Coordinator
Hi! My name is Cathy. I have 27 years of experience working with children of all age groups. I am an ECE level 2 and hold a Montessori diploma. I have worked with all age groups from Birth to Preschool. Inclusion is my passion and I am very happy to be the Inclusion Coordinator at LSNS. In my free time, I love to travel back home to Bermuda to visit family and friends. My favorite pass times are swimming and boating.
"Behind every child who believes in themselves is a teacher who believed in them first."
Amber Mackenzie
Early Childhood Educator
Senior Toddlers
Hi my name is Amber. I’m a level 1 early childhood educator and am going for my level 2. I have been working with kids for the last 3 years and enjoy watching them learn and grow. I also enjoy building relationships with the kids as well as their families. I am a mom of a 5 year old girl and a 3 year old boy. In our spare time we enjoy camping, being outside and spending a lot of our time at the beach.
Tara Goddard
Early Childhood Educator
Jr Preschool
Hi my name is Tara Goddard. I have been working with children for 13 years. I work in the preschool room here at LSNS. It is a joy to watch the children explore and try new skills.
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Emma MacNeil
Early Childhood Educator
Junior Toddlers
My name is Emma. I have my Level 1 ECE diploma and my hairdressing license. I have been an ECE since 2018 and my passion is working with Toddler and Preschool children. I love doing circle time and exploring with them through sensory and art play. I am a Cape Bretoner, and love spending time with my golden retriever, Charlie. I also love spending time with my friends and family. I can’t wait to meet you all in Junior Toddlers!
Floralba Mosquera
Early Childhood Educator
Senior Toddlers
My name is Floralba (Flora) Mosquera. I have always had a love and passion for teaching young children. I am a patient, caring and empathetic educator who brings lots of enthusiasm to the early learning profession. I have been working in the field for over 12 years as a trained Early Childhood Educator.
Kathy Nickerson
Early Childhood Educator
Senior Preschoool
Hi everyone! My name is Kathy Nickerson and I am a level 2 ECE in the preschool room here at LSNS. I have been in the childcare field for 25+ years. My favorite activities to do with the children include reading and making flannel board stories and finding new and exciting sensory bin ideas. I currently live in Lower Sackville with my husband, daughter and cat named Charlie. In my spare time I enjoy camping, crafts and spending time with my family.
YuliiaYuliia Bratash
Early Childhood Educator
Junior Toddlers
My name is Yuliia. I came to Canada from Ukraine where I worked as a teacher for 11 years. I have a family and two children. My goal everyday as an ECE is to love and respect every child by accepting them as they are.
Tish Goble
Center Cook & Baker
Hi, I’m Tish, and I’m the cook here at the nursery. I got my degree in Baking and Pastry Arts in 2013 from Algonquin College. Over the past few years, I have done everything from café fare to ice cream created from scratch. My newest adventure has been relocating to Nova Scotia. When I’m not at the nursery, I’m out and about with my dog Earl, or soaking up as much time as I can with my nieces and nephews.
Debbie Falconer
Early Childhood Educator
Junior Preschool
Hi I'm Debbie :)
I'm a Level 2 graduate from Nova Scotia Teachers College. I have worked in many child care centers over the past 30 years. I’m the mother of one, and have also been a foster parent to many young children in the past. In my spare time I enjoy camping and looking after my two young kittens.
