Years ago, my first profile picture on this site was criticized by a potential family for being too strange. I picked one way stranger in response (me in a unicorn onesie) until the 2024 powers that be on this site recently called it inappropriate. So, now I’ve found one off the charts strange with my head half shaved in the middle of a home COVID haircut ;-). Children are SO important to me—yes that means physical safety, but for me it also involves emotional safety. I want deeply for children and young people to love themselves and find their voices as they grow, but to do that they need to see adults who appreciate and take joy in their own uniqueness. That, more than any resume point, is what I offer to kids and families with fierce commitment. I have worked with children and young people in a variety of settings for thirty years. In my early days there was the usual teenage babysitting. I have also worked for summer camps and non-profits--designing, leading, and overseeing children's activities and programs. Next, I taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade English for the last thirteen years in both Southern California and the Bay Area, followed by ten years of nannying for children of all ages. Finally, I have started to move very organically into parental coaching, upon request of families I care/have cared for. I have special insight into neurodivergent kids and school engagement struggles. I am certified in CPR, First Aid, AED, have taken expressive arts therapy training, and have had multiple experiences working with autistic young people, in addition to being autistic myself. I am happy to help older children with their English homework and do Elmo's voice for the younger children in the fort we just built :) I am tidy, punctual, and you will not find me on my phone or devices while my attention should be on your child. I love and appreciate the curiosity, creativity, kindness, and honesty of all children, and I look forward to being part of the village that helps care for yours. Thanks, Water pronouns: he/him newstoriescalling.com (for the time being, legally still: Chelsea Delaney)

Hello, I am Julia. I am a teacher with over 7 years of experience caring for and providing education to children. 2 years ago I established myself as an independent teacher after having worked as an Early Childhood educator in a Waldorf school for 5 years. As an independent teacher I specialize in teaching sewing and clothing design. I also enjoy providing care for young children and pets. I am a very attentive and gentle woman with lots of experience as a teacher and I possess a natural care giving ability. I have mainly taught children ages 2-11, along with recently providing care for a young man of 22 years who had a disability. I have been teaching clothing design & sewing over the past 9 years. I really value fostering the creativity of children and enjoy assisting them in bringing their ideas to life. I am Waldorf trained and I believe in the importance of nurturing the holistic well being of young children. I have been making clothing since I was 7 years old and I am trained in clothing construction and clothing design, having operated my own clothing line for 4 years before my teaching career started. I also love to cook, paint, decorate homes and participate in many creative activities. One of my main love languages is cooking for others. I have lots of experience with animals. I fostered rescue cats for 4 years and I also do pet setting. I know how to administer medicines and offer a calm environment. I also have recently become a certified yoga teacher and I have also started to teach yoga classes. I am also offering that within my care services.

Hi, I'm Shak! As the eldest in a large family, childcare has been a part of my life from a young age, and over the past 15 years I've worked primarily with newborns and toddlers, though I genuinely love kids of all ages. I bring an empathy-first approach to every family I work with. For infants, I specialize in sleep training and mother's helper support, and I'm happy to work alongside new parents through that journey every step of the way. I also focus on early language development through textures, sounds, rhythm, and music. With toddlers, I lean into interest-led play — imagination building, curiosity about the world, early reading and counting. For school-age kids and teens, I emphasize active listening, healthy boundaries, and creating safe spaces for authentic expression. I also have meaningful experience with neurodiverse children who benefit from a different level of engagement and care. And since I studied classical text and diction, I love putting that to use — making up plays, collaborative storytelling, theatre games, you name it. But I'm just as happy getting active: bike rides, fort building, kite flying at the beach, little hikes, and whatever else sparks joy. I have a very low cancellation rate. If I accept a booking I am committed and will be there. I also have a reliable vehicle. I'd love to be a part of your family's village. Feel free to reach out with any questions!

I love children and children love me. I’m very lucky and blessed, children are enchanted with me and we naturally delight in each others company. I am a highly trained caregiver in providing for your child’s mental, emotional and physical needs. I bring over 25 years of practical experience with children, from infancy through teenage-hood. I’ve had unique opportunities of working with children ranging in needs from being deemed extremely gifted to being a patient in a lock-down psychiatric ward. It’s important to me that children are given the opportunity to and learn to cultivate their ability to: thrive, be resilient, express themselves fully, develop high levels of self-efficacy & self-worth, love and be loved. I love to play! I’m crafty, artsy, musical, adventurous, active, happy and have great boundaries! Children naturally love me, this makes my job very easy. 😍 (I’ve also worked as a private chef, caterer, and personal assistant.) Some of my experiences with children include: -2 summers of teaching K-5 Science and Art for summer school, 4 yrs of substitute teaching, 2.5 years teaching pre-school for 3'-4's, 2yrs as aTiger Cub 'mom', 2 years I ran a Children's Crisis Shelter, 4 yrs I worked in a lock-down Psychiatric Children's Facility. I was a licensed Respite Care Provider and Foster Parent. I contracted with Child Protective Services for 5 years. I created a program working with Autistic boys (1 yr), for 4.5 years I was a Family Builder Specialist and Program Manager, for 2 yrs I was a Child Developmental and Behavioralist Specialist. I have been a temporary, part time, and full time nanny and sitter for over 20years. Over Covid lockdown I ran a private school and course for grades k&1. I volunteer with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Adventure Scouts, food kitchens, Women’s DV shelters... Using my expertise in emotions, I teach classes for parents (and also for children) on empowerment, emotional development and intelligence, transformation, and self efficacy/esteem. ** Please note that I have cancellation policy - if you cancel a booking with in a week of, I charge a $50 cancellation fee or 50% of the booking, whichever is higher. After having several last minute cancellations I’ve had to implement this policy, thank you for understanding! **