Level of education: College - I'm currently back in school (online courses) for a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Additional skills or certifications: I am fully Vaccinated and take Covid-19 seriously. Postpartum Doula Training, Newborn Care Specialist Certification, Lactation Educator Training, Infant & Child CPR/First Aid, and Montessori experience.

Experience: I have worked with multiple families as a full time nanny since I graduated high school in 2002, started working overnights with newborns in 2006, and have 18 years experience as a nanny, postpartum doula, house management, and newborn care specialist, including travel, overnights, and 24/7 care. I've traveled with families (domestically and internationally) and have cared for children while parents were out of town. In high school and my early 20's I taught swimming lessons, coached swim team, and was a summer camp counselor.

Experience with the following age groups: Newborn through elementary age. I also have multiple years experience with Infants through Preschool age.

Interests and hobbies:Being outdoors is my favorite, and one of the main reasons I moved to Colorado. I'm a fan of hiking, camping, swimming, and would love to get into winter sports. I spend a lot of time reading, going to yoga, cooking/baking, and playing with my giant Goldendoodle. If brunch could be considered a hobby, it would right up there with camping. Brunch while camping may be the best thing ever!

Describe your childcare style:I place importance on establishing rhythms, routines, and rituals. When big things like naps and meal times are accounted for, the days go by more smoothly. A somewhat predictable schedule, along with boundaries and expectations set from the beginning, help cut down on many typical behavioral issues. Once that foundation is established, all the fun can be had! I love being playful, silly, and active with little ones. I keep kids involved and learning through the process of daily life, and encourage independence, manners, and creativity. I read child development books to keep up to date on latest practices, and resonate with Montessori and RIE philosophies.

What activities do you like to do with children:For babies and young children, I use play and everyday life to teach them what they need to know. They develop fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, and language/communication through everyday fun and games like climbing at the playground, digging around in a bucket of dried beans, and reading stories. I love fostering a sense of independence in young children by trusting them (and having the patience to allow them) to accomplish life skills on their own - like dressing themselves, brushing their teeth, using utensils at dinnertime, etc. I also like to incorporate the Montessori approach of uninterrupted blocks of time working with a specific activity, to foster independent play and concentration.

Why are you interested in working as a Nanny or Babysitter? My absolute favorite thing about being a nanny is knowing a child as an infant and having the privilege to witness their development into their own little person.

What qualities are important in a Nanny or Babysitter?Flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor - for working with children. Reliability, being pro-active, and good communication skills - for working with parents.

Additional comments:I look forward to meeting you!