- London, United Kingdom
- 1, May 2024
I am a childcare professional with ten years of experience. During this time, I had the honour of supporting multiple families, offering them my knowledge and soothing their worries in order to help them develop strong and harmonious bonds with each other.
I have looked after children from multiple age groups, from newborn up to the age of eight, each time tailoring my methods to the needs of the families, ensuing both the children and the parents felt seen and understood.
I have continued to develop my skills throughout the years, partaking in individual research and study as well as in official childcare courses. This helped me maintain a flexible, can-do attitude, where finding the best method to tackle challenges is just a matter of time and willingness to try. It also made me even more mindful of my limitations and gave me the awareness of when the expertise of a specialist is needed.
I wish to expand my knowledge even further to make sure I can provide the best care for various families, and this is why I have now completed Babyem's maternity nurse training. I hope to put my experience and knowledge to good use and to support families during such crucial and beautiful times in their lives.
Education
English and American Studies
Experience
Initially, I assumed full-time care responsibilities and provided exclusive attention to the young girl (1yo) in my charge. Over the years, I continued to support her in the afternoons following her school hours, a commitment that persisted until the family's relocation.
During our time together, I provided fully flexible hours, accompanied the family on holiday travels, actively contributed to household tasks, and prepared nutritious meals tailored to the child's preferences and dietary needs. Additionally, I played an integral role in her educational journey by assisting with academic and extracurricular activities. This included swimming classes, foraging, soft play and social engagements, alongside activities such as science experiments, cooking, arts and crafts, and mindfulness. My aim was to provide her with a well-rounded skill set and experiences conducive to her overall development.
In this role, I maintained a high degree of flexibility to accommodate the unpredictable schedules of the parents, who had changing work commitments. My responsibilities included taking the older child to school and engaging the younger one in various activities until school pick-up. Following this, I helped with homework and encouraged the playful tidy-up routines. An important aspect of my role was preparing vegetarian Italian cuisine for the children.
Reason for leaving: Due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, commuting became unpredictable, and with the family's inability to offer live-in accommodation, we had to part ways.
Initially, I had full-time care of the children (1 and 3yo), from breakfast to post-dinner hours. While the older child attended nursery/school, I provided various activities for the younger one, including attendance at playgroups, soft play and other social engagements. After collecting the older child, our afternoons were filled with outdoor excursions to the park, play dates, and baking and arts and crafts on rainy days.
My duties extended to meal preparation, including lunch, dinner, and occasionally breakfast, along with active involvement in their bedtime routines and babysitting services upon request. Additionally, I maintained cleanliness and organization within the children's living spaces, including their bedroom and play area, as well as assisting with household chores such as kitchen upkeep and laundry duties.
A notable aspect of my role involved participating in weekly "adults only" dinners on Tuesdays, affording me the opportunity to experiment with Thai, Indian, Eastern European, and other cuisines. Furthermore, I provided care for the family's cat during their holiday trips.
In a demanding household where help was needed from early mornings to late evenings and occasionally even overnight, I collaborated with a team of helpers to manage the care of a newborn baby, a toddler, and a special needs child. The eldest boy, with Cerebral Palsy, required specialized attention and care, from assisting with physiotherapy to tending to his medical needs. I gained invaluable knowledge and skills as I faced the challenges alongside the family.
Night shifts with the eldest child were part of my role, ensuring his comfort and well-being around the clock. Additionally, I shared responsibilities in caring for the newborn, including all aspects of care such as feeding, diaper changes, and bedtime, adhering to a strict, structured schedule that proved effective for the three boys.
Beyond childcare, I undertook general tidying duties, assisted with laundry, and prepared meals tailored to meet specific dietary requirements for the children. Furthermore, I occasionally provided support in the family's small business as a PA, adding further versatility to my role within the household.
During term times, my afternoon responsibilities revolved around the care and well-being of the children. This included picking them up from nursery/school, organizing outdoor activities such as trips to the park, and preparing dinners featuring traditional English meals. Engaging the children in play, overseeing their bedtime routines, and providing babysitting services as needed were also integral aspects of my role.
In addition to childcare duties, I maintained cleanliness and organization in the children's play area and the kitchen, and took care of the laundry to ensure the children's uniforms remained well-kept.