Level of education: Bachelors Degree in Marketing with a minor in Sociology.

Additional skills or certifications: I am First Aid and CPR certified for infants and children, I taught swim for two years to children ages 3-14yrs and I currently coach climbing to children ages 3-12.

Experience: I began part-time while I was in college caring for two boys in elementary school. I served as taxi, tutor, house manager and friend for their family. We spent our evenings doing homework and crafts and our summers exploring the city and outdoors. After I graduated, I began working for a family of 5 children and stayed with them for 3 years; I thrive with big families, I love the chaos and feel at home. Additionally I've assisted with appointment planning, pet care, and meal preparation. Most recently, I cared for two young children ages 2 and 4 here in Colorado. They were spunky, busy, and thoroughly curious. They challenged me to explore new ways of creative expression through imaginary play and fact based research projects.

Experience with the following age groups: I have been a nanny for 7 years; I have worked with toddlers to teenagers. My youngest was 17mos when I started with her family and I got to be a part of her growth and development into the wonderful, curious, bright 6 and half year old she is now. Her siblings and other children I've worked with have ranged in ages from 4 to 13. Each age requires a different type of attention and individualized care which I am adept to understand and handle (those preteens are no small task!). I have worked closely with a child on the spectrum and a child with anxiety.

Interests and hobbies:I love to adventure and explore. I spend my time being active and curious. I climb a the local rock climbing gym, I swim at the local rec center and I try to get out into the mountains to go hiking whenever I can! Other personal hobbies include cooking/baking, crafts (scrap booking is a personal favorite!) and reading. I love to create and I adore including children in this process.

Describe your childcare style: I operate from a play-based philosophy of learning and seek to engage all ages; whether it is game or conversation based, there is always fun to be had in learning about anything! I work hard to develop intentional relationships with each child that I care for because I believe that it is crucial to recognize and encourage their individual spirits. I set firm boundaries and follow the parents' disciplinary lead. It is important to establish fluid consistency between nanny and parents because it allows for open communication.

What activities do you like to do with children: I love to do arts & crafts, bake, cook, and play outside. I am not opposed to screen time but I never use it as a go-to activity and if we do have screen time while I am working its used in a way that we are still spending time together (Ex. watching a movie together or playing a video game together). I default to books when downtime is needed, I love to read to children and encourage them to read to me.

Why are you interested in working as a Nanny or Babysitter? Working with children has fulfilled a deep sense of purpose in me. I adore children; they experience their lives so authentically and I find that inspiring. They are so silly and genuine, they approach the world with open hearts and minds in the purest way! Being a nanny challenges me to continually turn inward to understand who I am and who I want to be for the children I work with. I want to be the best version of myself so that I can implore them to do the same.

What qualities are important in a Nanny or Babysitter? The two most important qualities in a childcare professional are loads of patience and a great sense of humor! Over the last seven years I have actively cultivated patience in myself because I believe that it is my responsibility to be emotionally stable and receptive to little ones as their nervous systems learn to process all the stimuli within and around them. I have learned to be flexible and laugh when plans shift or things "fall apart". There is no use in getting upset or overwhelmed when life throws a curve ball in the form of anything from temper tantrums to last minute "sorry I forgot til the night before" projects/assignments; it is better to smile and problem solve.

Additional comments:I believe in cultivating personal autonomy. I love to help and will gladly step in when needed but my approach to child-care incorporates raising these small beings into self-sufficient young adults. I try to find the learning opportunity in every situation while still making it fun and relevant.