
Forest Nursery School Team
Our Team includes one Forest School Practitioner and ECE II (Early Childhood Educator), one CCA (Child Care Assistant) and, whenever possible, a volunteer. We maintain a 1:6 ratio of Educators to Children, in line with FNS recommendations.
Educators
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Co-Founder, Primary Educator
Esther McNairnay, ECE II, Forest School Practitioner
I am an ECE and Forest School Practitioner living and working in South Osborne. I have worked with children in the Riverview neighbourhood for almost 20 years. I have a BA in Human Geography which has shaped my interest and perspective on how children interact with the places they spend time in - how they shape these places and, in turn, how they are shaped by them. I consider my work connecting children to the land to be environmental justice work.
I know children to be trustworthy, capable and competent, and filled with wonder and curiosity. My work centres on building strong, caring relationships with children, families, and the land. Through this trust, care and attention, I believe children are afford room to play freely and deeply.

Secondary Educator
Katie Daman, CCA in ECE III Training
I live in South Osborne and have been involved in community projects for over ten years, including co-founding the South Osborne Farmers' Market. I am passionate about co-creating strong, nourishing, relational communities for everyone. While I am still new to the field of Early Childhood Education, I am not new to caring for children or spending time outside. I am currently studying towards my Developmental Studies degree at U of W. The care I offer children is grounded in values that centre physical, emotional, and psychological safety, play, secure attachment, harm reduction, and autonomy. I believe it is one of the greatest privileges in life to have a child choose to trust you, and to be able to learn from them and the ways they experience the world when they are feeling safe and supported.

Substitute
Tessa Allen, CCA in ECE II Training
Tessa lives in neighbourhood and joined us at the centre in 2018. She previously worked at the Riverview Community Centre establishing their day camp and conducting historical research on Riverview. Tessa will be taking her ECE diploma in 2025.

Consultant
Alicia Alphonso, ECE III
I am a proud band member of Waywayseecappo First Nation with roots in Guyana, South America. Winnipeg, along the Red River in fort rouge has been my home. My journey into the world of Childcare began in 2008, driven by a strong belief in the potential of every child. I knew that furthering my education would allow me to make an even greater impact. This led me to pursue a degree in Developmental Studies at the University of Winnipeg, where I gained deeper insight into child development and early childhood education. Graduating with my BA in June of 2024 has been one of my proudest achievements, affirming my commitment to nurturing the next generation. As a consultant, I am passionate about incorporating more cultural teachings and land-based education into early childhood programs.

Co-Founder, Executive Director
Corine Anderson, ECE III, Forest School Practitioner
Corine is originally from Saskatchewan where she studied Fine Arts at U of S. She has worked in ELCC for almost 25 years in Alberta, BC and Manitoba. She sits on the Public Policy & Professionalism Committee at the Manitoba Child Care Association and is the Treasurer of the Manitoba Nature Summit. When she’s not at forest school or RACC, you can find her in her garden or making soup.
Volunteers

Volunteer
Jen Miles
Jen is a retired early years teacher, a mother of two, grandmother of two, and a long-time Riverview
resident. She loves to bake and garden, and walk with her husband and dog along the Churchill parkway
and forest paths. She has been volunteering weekly with Forest Nursery since we began in Sept 2024, and often helps us identify different birds and plants in the Forest and gardens.

Volunteer
Natalie Mulaire
Nat has been volunteering with Forest Nursery since its inception. Her interests include walking her dog Lacey, eating crab apples from the tree, gardening, growing watermelons, hiking with friends (especially in the snow), camping, chopping wood, and swimming in a lake. Nat also loves the shade and sounds of trees, likes to see the stars and the moon at night, and is trying to play the guitar. She is the parent to two adult sons and loves to cook for them.