Our Staff
Barbara MacKay Ward, M.Ed. and Claire Watson MSc. SLP together with Ayala Hanen Manolson founded First Three Years – Parenting Resources & Training in 2001. The mission of the charitable organization was to develop 'preventative' programs which would optimize healthy child development during infancy (0-3) - the time when foundations for future development are established.
Both Barb and Claire had previous experience with birth to six year olds in their respective work with children with special needs and subsequently with parenting programs developed at The Hanen Centre in Toronto - (You Make the Difference in Helping Your Child Learn, 1995 and It Takes Two To Talk, 1989).
Barbara MacKay Ward
MEd. Special Education, Director of Operations, Founding Partner
barb@firstthreeyears.orgBarb has over 20 years experience managing specialized preschool programs in Toronto. She collaborated with Ayala Hanen Manolson in the development of the 'You Make the Difference' parent program, resources and training. Barb also consults to children's educational television.
Claire Watson
M.Sc. SLP, Director of Programs and Training, Founding Partner
claire@firstthreeyears.orgClaire has devoted her career to supporting parents and professionals in the area of parent-child communication, including 12 years collaborating with Ayala Hanen Manolson in the development of 'It Takes Two Two Talk' and 'You Make the Difference' professional training and resources. Claire is also a trained psychotherapist.
Andrea Lambert
Office Assistant
andrea@firstthreeyears.orgAndrea, an accountant by profession, not only speaks Spanish but is fluent in French, Italian and English. Born in Cordoba, Argentina, she arrived in Toronto in 2003 having worked in the fields of finance and administration. Andrea brings her interest in children and enthusiasm for learning to her work at First Three Years.
