Vanessa Simmonds

Courtenay

NESTLINGS Program

NATURE EDUCATOR

Through many years of working with children in various settings, and with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Care & Education, I have come to believe the early years are by far the best years to spend outdoors. With rich imaginations, an insatiable curiosity and a love for experimenting, I think time spent in nature beautifully compliments a preschooler’s need to explore their world. Preschool aged children have the delightful gift of being able to turn ‘nothing’ into something and I think nature’s plenty allows for children to use its materials to do so. No toys are needed outside because nature provides endless ways for children to explore with their bodies and their minds. It is my experience that children (and adults) are able to feel a sense of calm, adventure and wonder in natural settings that cannot be mimicked indoors.

After spending most of my life in Vancouver, I moved to the Comox Valley in 2017. In addition to being a great place to start a family, it has allowed me more time outdoors and to rekindle my relationship with nature. It seems fitting that I now have the opportunity to combine my work as an educator with my love of nature. I am thrilled to be a part of the Hand-In-Hand Team and to spend my mornings exploring alongside your children.