Level of education: I have a Bachelors degree in Family Life & Human Development plus professional education in Nutrition, Holistic Health training, herbal medicine & body work.

Additional skills or certifications: CPR, Certifiied massage therapist, Certified Eating Pscyhology Coach, Holistic Health Pracitioner

Experience: I have professional training and 6 years experience as a labor and postpartum doula, caring for newborns and multiple children in the home. I have been a full time nanny for the past year for a local family. I have worked as a babysitter and nanny since on and off since I was a teenager. In addition, my mother ran a daycare out of our home while I was growing up, so I have been around younger children all my life! I also have a bachelor's degree in Family Life & Human development, with emphasis on early childhood development and education. In addition, I have also worked with dogs professionally, so I am comfortable and familiar around dogs, dog behavior and dog/child interaction

Experience with the following age groups: Newborn through elementary.

Interests and hobbies:I am an outdoors/nature lover. I love to cook, garden and swim (these are all really fun to do with kids too!) I enjoy reading, writing, music, homemaking things like canning, soap making, etc. I like to travel and although I am new to Colorado I am really interested in the mountains, camping and hiking all over the state.

Describe your childcare style:When it comes to play, I provide general guidance and structure with what is appropriate, fun and acceptable. I re-direct rather than scold, and if it is age appropriate, describe why we are doing something different/why the other play option was not ideal. I like to follow the child's lead (as appropriate) because I believe that following their natural curiosity and imagination is the best way to encourage children. I add in educational opportunities wherever possible; with young infants that means body movements, facial gestures, talking to them, playing music, etc. With older toddlers/preschool age it is naming things, singing songs, dancing, counting, naming colors, etc. I am flexible but also maintain boundaries of what is okay and what is not in terms of the "rules." I also strive to educate children to understand the why rather than enforce something rigidly.

What activities do you like to do with children:Being outdoors, swimming, reading books, coloring, singing and dancing, doing crafts, story time at the library, museums, etc.

Why are you interested in working as a Nanny or Babysitter? I feel passionate about supporting families and parents because I believe it to be the hardest job there is! I take a great deal of satisfaction and pride in positively impacting the life of a child, because I believe the influence in early years colors the rest of a child's life.

What qualities are important in a Nanny or Babysitter?Flexibility, openness, maturity, fun-loving, playful and caring, good communicator, patient, able to juggle multiple tasks and ever changing landscape with kids. Willing and able to educate and hold boundaries, set structure.

Additional comments:I do best when I have multiple children and/or multiple responsibilities such as child care & cooking, or child care & house management type duties. I am young at heart and love to laugh and find the curiosity in everyday things to impart to children.