About Taylor

Welcome & thank you for taking the time to learn more about Experience Childspace Early Learning!

My name is Taylor Hansen and I am the person behind this unique program. I am an experienced and qualified Early Childhood Educator who has worked in the field of Child & Youth Care for over 10 years in a variety of contexts and capacities, some of these include: as programming manager, arts & crafts coordinator, leadership programmer, youth worker, practicum supervisor, and in curriculum development. I currently teach part-time in the Department of Child & Youth Study at Mount Saint Vincent University.

I believe that every child should have the right to play and that entering a children’s world is where meaningful learning begins, for adults and children alike.

I was born in Sydney, Cape Breton and moved away to Ontario as a young child. My mother says that I always stated that I would return to Nova Scotia when I was old enough, and that is just what I did, now calling Herring Cove home with my young child and partner.

I graduated  from the University of Ottawa with an Honors Bachelor of Social Science Degree in 2010, and spent the following 2 years working with children in Korea and the Republic of Georgia, gaining invaluable experiences and knowledge on how different cultures view the world, childhood, and education. Upon returning to Canada, I began my Masters in Child & Youth Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University, which I completed in 2016. While completing my Masters I also worked full-time at the MSVU Child Study Centre alongside exceptional leaders in the field.

As an Early Childhood Educator, I have participated in professional development in the areas of Nature Kindergartens, Loose Parts Play, Process Art, The Environment as the 3rd Teacher, and Our Image of the Child. I also hold a valid Criminal Record Check, CPR & Emergency First Aid Certificate, and a Food Handlers Certificate.

Childspace was born out of my search for early learning programs for my own child. I discovered that there was a serious lack of high quality early learning options in my community or options that were not daycare settings. I made the decision to take my education and experience and develop the type of program I would want for my own child, a program that provides an opportunity for children to learn through experiences with the natural world and creative expression.

Whether working with very young children or youth, my practice has always emphasized nature-based learning and the power of the creative process.  As a lifelong learner, I regularly create art for myself and make a point to get outside and just be in nature daily.