About Me

Hi, my name is Shandi Higgins.

I have a daughter who is 10 years old and a stepdaughter who is 18 years old.

My passion for being with children started when I was 11 when my twin sisters were born. From then on, I was fully engaged in helping my mom with the girls. I loved everything about them, from watching all the milestones they achieved, etc. This led to me taking the St. John's Babysitting course; the next thing I knew, I babysat for families in my community. I've always had a love and passion for children throughout high school, so I continued babysitting whenever I could.

When my daughter started Junior Kindergarten, I applied for a lunchroom supervisor position at her school. I was an LRS in a kindergarten class for 6 years, and it was one of the highlights of my day for that 1 hour. I made many connections with school staff and the administration team, among other Durham District School Board professionals. The RECE I was working alongside inspired me to apply to Durham College and take the Early Childhood Educator part-time course. A year or 2 into my course, I was approached by the principal who said that a YMCA childcare centre was being added to our school and they were looking for someone. I applied and got the position. I was hired as an enhanced staff member to help manage children with behavioural issues. I LOVED IT! Roughly 4 months into this position, I was then upgraded to an Assistant Educator. In 2023, I was ministry-approved for the Before and After School age program. I am still enrolled as a student in an ECE course at Durham College; I graduate in August 2023. With the YMCA, I am the head educator; I plan 5 activities and 3 physical activities for Monday morning based on children's interests. By the end of the week, I am expected to complete 15 activities and 10 physical activities.

I have built strong, healthy, positive relationships with the children and their families. All the children (even in other programs) know and feel how much each of them means to me.

I strive for positivity, love and warmth.