Since 1989
Our Team
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Angela Toland
Executive Director
My name is Angela Toland and I am the Interim Director of Care /Supervisor and RECE at the CNC location in Marmora. I have 3 children, all who have experienced childcare during their younger years and are now grown adults navigating their own lives and families.
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I have been in childcare for over 30 years and a supervisor for over 10. I am new to the organization but feel that I have brought Experience, amazing skills, and leadership to the Centre. My family currently resides in Shannonville, but Before moving, we lived in the Durham region for 16 years and I worked at Helping Hands Daycare in Pickering, Ontario as the RECE in the Toddler room and was also the Assistant Supervisor.
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I feel that I have made a positive impact here and hope to continue inspiring other educators through mentorship and work ethic. Being at CHEEC has been an eye-opening experience. I feel it's important to help keep the creativity and passion for children going for years to come. The municipality, schools, educators, and other organizations in this region are all an integral part of this community. Without their support, we could not provide quality programs, education and childcare within Hastings County.
Carla Haigh
Executive Director
With a strong background in bookkeeping, administration and financial management, my career has taken me on an interesting journey - from bookkeeping for a daycare in Trenton, to operating my own bookkeeping and tax preparation business, managing a local Chamber of Commerce and eventually working for the federal government in a finance and compliance focused role.
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Joining CHEEC first as a bookkeeper and now serving as Executive Director of Finance has brought my journey full circle. I enjoy being part of an organization that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families throughout the community.
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Being actively involved in my community has always been important to me. For more than 25 years, I was involved with the Navy League and Air Cadet programs. I was also involved with the Kiwanis Club of Trenton, including serving as Treasurer for Kente Kiwanis of Trenton. I served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Shannonville Agricultural Society. I currently serve on the Joint Hastings County 2026 Election Compliance Audit Committee.
Through my professional and community involvement, I have developed strong leadership, organizational and financial skills along with a genuine appreciation for the importance of community organizations and the services they provide.
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I bring this experience, along with my other community spirit and commitment to my work, to CHEEC and its mission of supporting children, families and the community.
Candy Dafoe
Cook & Nutritional Coordinator - Madoc
I have been involved with the daycare since 1994., when my own children attended. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors and later began cooking and planning healthy, nutritious menus for children. It is my absolute joy and pleasure to make sure the children receive the nutrition they need to grow, learn and prosper. I take great pride in preparing meals that are healthy, balanced and enjoyable for the children. Being part of this daycare community for so many years has been very special to me and I am proud to continue doing something I truly love.
Karen Wilman,RECE
Madoc Nursery Program Supervisor
I am a country girl at heart. I have lived in this community all my life and I am very proud of it. I love being outdoors so I spend as much time as possible outside with the children - weather permitting of course. I received my Early Childhood Education diploma from Loyalist College and have been iwth CHEEC for over 20 years. I love being with your children and watching them as they grow, take risks and challenge themselves to reach their goals. This is not just a job to me; it is my family. As one child pointed out to me, you don't work, you come to play
Hailey Smith, RECE
Educator - Madoc + Township
I've worked in Early Childhood Education for over a decade, beginning with a high school co-op placement that sparked my passion for supporting young learners. After completing my placement, I was hired by the daycare and later continues my education to become a Registered Early Childhood Educator. I truly enjoy working with children and feel privileged to be a part of their learning journey. Watching them grow, explore and develop into their own unique selves is the most rewarding part of my work.
Linda Gee, RECE
CHS Program Supervisor
Hello, my name is Linda Gee. I have been with this agency since 1999. I love this job and my favorite part is watching the children grow and succeed. Every day is a new adventure and to quote one of the children I
have cared for “We don’t get older, we get greater.” I am currently working the with toddlers and the school age children in Madoc. I have however, worked in all 4 of our locations and love to meet all if the children and the parents. I look forward to many more years with this agency and watching even more of the children that has been here in the past bring their children here as well.
Shawna Wilman,RECE
Educator - Madoc Nursery
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I have been part of the team since 2021. I work with the toddlers at our Madoc site. I enjoy working with toddlers, watching them grow and develop. I enjoy watching them and seeing how excited they become when they discover something new for the very first time.
Jaclyn VanExan,RECE
Educator - Madoc
I have been with this organization for almost 11 years. I graduated as an ECE in 2015.
I've known from a young age that I wanted to work with children. I love them learn and grow.
I am a very caring fun and loving person, I really enjoying being there for others and helping people out. I also love animals; I have a few pets of my own and hope to get more as time goes by.
Sara Wells
Educator - Madoc Nursery
I am passionate about working with children and creating a safe, caring and fun environment whre they feel comfortable and and supported. I enjoy watching children learn, grow and explore through play and everyday experiences. I believe every child is unique and deserves patience, kindness and encouragement. Building positive relationships with children and their families is important to me and I love being part of the special moments and milestones throughout their early years.
Christine Ferguson
Educator
I am so happy to be a part of the CHEEC family! I've always had a passion to work with children of all ages. It's such a privilege to be a part of their growth and development on a daily basis. It's amazing to see them go through the different stages of life, as they learn, take risks and challenge themselves to reach their goals. I am here to help create a warm, nurturing space for your children to learn and explore and become who they are meant to be. I enjoy playing games, creating crafts and reading books as well as getting hugs and snuggles and calming them down. the odd tear and nose wiping isn't bad either.
Thank you for choosing our organization to enroll your children with and putting your trust in us to be a part of your child's early years.
Jaden Freeman
Educator
My love for working with children started with babysitting the neighborhood kids, which quickly turned into nannying throughout high school. After graduating, I started my career in childcare and haven't looked back!
At my previous center, I had the chance to work with children of all ages, from infants to school agers. While I love every stage, preschool has a special place in my heart. I love following children's interests, watching their little minds get curious and learning, building, creating and discovering right alongside them. I believe there should always be lots of laughter, fun and a little bit of silliness mixed into our days.
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when I am not at daycare, you can usually find me camping and enjoying the outdoors with my husband and son. I also love a good audiobook, cozying up iwth a favorite show and a well needed coffee.
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I feel so lucky to get to spend my days watching little ones learn, grow, laugh and become their own amazing little people.
Amelia Shire
Educator
On maternity leave
Debbie Wilman,RECE
Educator - Madoc Nursery
I have been a team member at the Madoc site since 2004. When I began, I worked party-time (as the cook) as my own children were quite young. In fact, my youngest child attended the Madoc Nursery School until she began school. I have held many positions with the organization; enhanced support, preschool and infant/toddler teacher. Presently, I am working in the Toddler program. I enjoy working with young children; learning with them and learning from them.
Emerson Gaudar
Educator - Madoc Nursery + CHS
I have been at the Madoc site for over two years now where I am positions on the preschool floor. I am currently in school to become a Registered Early Childhood Educator through the Loyalist College online program.
I grew up as one of the oldest in a big family and have always loved children. I had plenty of experience babysitting, volunteering in a nursery room and working as a camp counselor before joining the CHEEC teem. I love it here! It truly is a privilege to take care of and teach your lovely little ones. It is a great joy to get to see them learn and grow in our classroom.
Christine Shire
Educator - Madoc
I've been part of the CHEEC family for about 10 years and I feel so lucky to have spent that time surrounded by wonderful children and coworkers.
I'm a proud mom of three grown children and grandma to three grandchildren. I love spending time outdoors, playing baseball and of course, listening to all the wonderful stories the children have to tell.
One of my favorite parts of working at CHEEC is building relationships with the children and sharing so many special moments with them. I also truly value the friendships and relationships I've build with my coworkers over the years.
Rachel Huynh, RECE
Educator - CNC Marmora
Having left Vietnam in 2019, Peterborough nurtured me with the love for early learing and CHEEC is now my second home where I learn and grow in a welcoming community.
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I have experience working with children from infancy to school age. I take pride in supporting the curious minds in their journey and introducing parents to their child's world of possibilities. Furthermore, I advocate for play based environments that foster social and cognitive growth as well as creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome in their home away from home.​​
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Outside the classroom, I enjoy playing with my 2 poodles and going to farmers markets. So if you ever see a lady fighting with two curly dogs out in the wild, chances are that's me!
Jessica Cowan
Educator
Introduction coming soon!
Carmen Caraman, RECE
Program Supervisor
Coming Soon
Nakita Mondria
Educator - Township
Introduction coming soon!
Kirstie Young
Educator - Madoc
Introduction coming soon!
Trichia Martin
Educator - Township
Introduction coming soon!
Rachelle Tam
Educator
Introduction coming soon!
Jenna Hicks
Edicator
Introduction coming soon!
Kate Meevis
Educator
Introduction coming soon!
Hanna Volk
Educator
Introduction coming soon!