I have been a nanny for infants and toddlers for the past 3 years. Before this time, I worked as teacher's aide, after-school program teacher and administrative assistant. I have an Early Childcare Certificate, a current First Aid/CPR Certificate for Infants - Adults, Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate, and Public Information degree.
I care deeply about forming a strong bond with the children I care for and love introducing them to various experiences that build their awareness of themselves, others and the world around them. In addition, I believe in offering gentle guidance to children in a respectful, kind, instructive and even fun way. During my time with children, I do activities and engage with them in a way that sparks their curiosity, builds their knowledge and skills, follows their interests, helps them learn age-appropriate socio-emotional and communication skills.
Based on several factors, I may use redirection, modeling what I want them to do or say, several reminders to reinforce behavior expectations such as washing hands after outside play and before meals, offering "first this, then that" or a choice of what to do first when both activities are required, advanced notice before transitioning to something else, and other age-appropriate caregiving practices.
As a strong empath, I want to use my innate ability to connect with children (and all people) in a way that helps them feel understood, valued, worthy of kindness and attention, great for who they are JUST AS THEY ARE, and safe. I've found that I can't nurture children as deeply as I'd like and, in the case of very young children, to the degree I feel they need as they learn about themselves, others and their world.
