OUR TEAM!

 Hi I'm Sarah! I'm the owner/director and resident chef at the daycare.  I have my level 1 in Early Childhood Education, but my background has primarily been in management and marketing.  I opened my  first childcare centre in Mt. Uniacke in July 2005 but closed it in 2010 to focus solely on Brooklyn.

When my day of feeding children ends, I leave the reins in Coonie and Reynolds very capable hands so I can do administration work at my home office.  

In my spare time, you can usually find me on a golf course or on a beach bass fishing. I love to travel and I am looking forward to touring all of southern Europe with my daughter when she returns from Australia next year. 

  I am a Level 2 Early Childhood Educator with 16 years of experience all served right here at Brooklyn Early Learning, where I also serve as Co-Assistant Director. I love working with toddlers because of their spunky personalities and the incredible cognitive growth they experience at this age. I strive to create a safe, welcoming environment where every child feels comfortable being themselves and knows they belong. Outside of work, I'm a proud mother of three who enjoys reading a good book and soaking up the sunshine whenever I can. 

My name is Sara MacNeil, and I am one of the Assistant Directors at Brooklyn Early Learning Childcare Centre. I earned my Early Childhood Education Level 2 diploma from NSCC Kingstec Campus and have proudly been a part of the Brooklyn Early Learning team for the past 14 years, primarily working in the infant room.

I am passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. Building strong relationships with children, families, and colleagues is one of the most rewarding parts of my role.

Outside of work, I have been happily married for 13 years and am the proud mother of one son, Zachary, who keeps life fun and exciting. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends, making memories, and appreciating life's simple moments.

  Hi, I’m Shannon! I’m a Level 2 Early Childhood Educator with over five years of experience, and I absolutely love working with infants and being part of such an important stage in their development. As a mom of four, caring for children comes naturally to me, and I enjoy helping little ones feel safe, loved, and excited to learn. When I’m not at work, you’ll usually find me spending time with my family, cheering at the rink or ball field, or making memories while camping with my kids, niece, and nephew. 

  Hi, I’m Ceilidh! I have my Level 1 Early Childhood Education certification, which I completed through NSECE, and I’ve been working in the childcare field for the past two years. As a floating educator, I enjoy spending time in all of the classrooms and building positive relationships with children of all ages.  I’m passionate about creating a caring, welcoming environment where every child feels safe, supported, and valued. I strive to approach each day with empathy, patience, and kindness while encouraging children to learn, grow, and have fun.  Outside of work, I enjoy reading a good book and relaxing in the sunshine whenever I can. 

 Hello, I'm Shannon. I have worked in the early childhood education field for over 20 years and hold my Level 2 Early Childhood Education Diploma. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to support children's learning and development, and I especially enjoy working with toddlers. I love creating a warm, safe, and engaging environment where children can learn, explore, and build confidence through play.  Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and travelling throughout the Maritimes, making memories and exploring all the beautiful places our region has to offer. 

Hi I'm Natasha, and I work in the preschool room!

I graduated from NSCC Kingstec with my Level 2 Early Childhood Education diploma in 2024 and have been part of the Brooklyn Early Learning and Childcare team for the past three years.

I love incorporating my passion for the outdoors and learning through play into everyday experiences, helping children explore, discover, and build confidence through meaningful hands on learning.

When I'm not at work you’ll find me hiking in the woods, paddling on the lake, or curled up with a good book!

  Hello! My name is Cheyenne Hirtle, and I am an Early Childhood Educator in the Preschool Room at Brooklyn Early Learning and Childcare Centre.

I graduated from NSCC Kingstec in 2023 with my Level 2 Early Childhood Education diploma and have over five years of experience working with children. I am very passionate about creating a fun, safe, and nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and explore through play. I strive to be a positive role model and enjoy supporting each child’s development. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is watching children build new skills, gain confidence, and discover something new every day.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, exploring new places, and going for drives while listening to music!

  Hello! My name is Emily Hirtle, and I work primarily in the Pre-Primary classroom while also floating between classrooms to support children and educators in the other age groups.

I graduated from NSCC Kingstec in 2020 and have over seven years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field. I have been part of the Brooklyn Early Learning and Child Care Centre team for the past two years, and I have loved every minute of getting to know the children, building relationships, while supporting their development!

Outside of work, I enjoy going four-wheeling, relaxing around campfires, and spending time with family/friends and my energetic and loving 5-year-old daughter! 

 My name is Riley  Levy (Kitchin,) and my passion for working with children began years ago during my time at Acadia University, where I studied Recreation Management. I had the opportunity to manage all recreational camps in Wolfville, which solidified my love for creating engaging and supportive environments for kids. Following this, I pursued a culinary degree from NSCC and advanced to the position of head chef, a role I held for several years. However, my true calling always remained with children.

After becoming a parent, I realized that balancing the demanding chef lifestyle with family life was challenging. This led me back to my roots in recreation, and I started working in daycare settings. To further my qualifications, I enrolled in night classes and earned my Level One Early Childhood Education certification.

I am a proud mother of two energetic and wonderful children, and I cherish spending time outdoors with them. I am deeply passionate about sports and actively engage in planning events, coaching, and exploring nature with my family during my free time.

 Hi! I'm Josie Smith, a Level 1 Early Childhood Educator with a year and a half of experience, as well as the after-school teacher at Brooklyn Early Learning & Childcare Centre. Being a big kid at heart helps me build strong connections with children, and makes every day full of fun, creativity, and laughter. I love creating a warm, welcoming environment where children feel safe to play, explore, and grow through meaningful relationships. When I'm not at work, you'll find me out in the garden, trying new baking recipes or hanging out with my dogs!