Katherine C.

My name is Katherine and I am currently a nanny participating in a share-care situation for 2 amazing 17month old little girls. However, both sets of parents believe in the importance of preschool and are therefore on waiting lists for preschools and are hoping to start their girls in a preschool by September, which means I will need a new job!!!! I know I am starting very early, but I thought, hey if a family is looking at what is available, then I should put my ad up. I am extremely knowledgeable regarding the development of infants and young children, and I take my job as a care provider AND educator very seriously. Please note: I do not drive, but am a pro and maneuvering through the city using public transportation, and not having a car in no way limits the amount of time I spend outside DAILY with children. I like to go to the Academy of Sciences(I try to go at least once per week), the zoo, libraries, indoor rec centers, grocery stores, strolls, parks, etc…
My philosophy: I believe in helping young children and infants become independent, curious, social children. I am always there to help when a problem is there, but also believe in allowing children to try different solutions for their problems. I believe it is absolutely essential to give children exposure to their environment, taking DAILY walks to parks, playgrounds, libraries, museums, etc…. I am also familiar with baby signs and believe that teaching these to young infants and children helps lessen the frustration with the inability to express themselves verbally. I believe in teaching children and infants how to be self-sufficient human beings. I am patient and allow children and infants their space and time to be able to try and do things for themselves, but I am always available to help them when they need it. I believe in being very hands on when helping children learn and like to plan activities and different things for children and infants to do so that they can learn through play. I believe that establishing relationships built on trust and love will help to create a happy, well-balanced individual later on in life. Without strong role models in this developmentally crucial stage of life, a child will not be able to fully learn and explore their surroundings. Based on my understanding of how young children view the world and learn though their surroundings, I believe that keeping children stimulated and constantly learning WHILE HAVING FUN is crucial to children not only grasping basic concepts, but also to their worldview and their beliefs about learning.

About me as a caregiver: I have been in the childcare field for nine years, in a variety of settings-lead teacher for an NAEYC accredited C.D.C., the lead teacher and director of Sidwell Friends Auxiliary Day Care Center, a full-time nanny, a part-time nanny, etc…. I have my 90-hour Early Childhood Development Certification, and I also have over 63 college credits, centered around psychology and child psychology. I am a Certified Newborn Care Specialist, am current in my CPR/ First Aid/ BBP/ AED Certification, just recently received my TDap booster and flu shot, and have all other vaccinations-Hep B, MMR, etc….. I also have three completed background checks through care.com and sittercity.com(both very reputable childcare locating sites) and one I did on my own. I am familiar with, and a huge advocate for, baby signing to help lessen the frustration infants and toddlers feel when they are unable to communicate their wants, needs, dislikes, and feelings.

I keep a detailed journal for each child, describing our day, activities, medication, anything unusual, food, sleep, diaper changes, etc… I also write weekly goals based on your children and their abilities, interests, and developmental milestones, and I use tons of curriculum and developmental books to find the most interactive and age appropriate activities. I also take pictures and videos (on your camera) so that you, the parents, can be part of our day, see the progress and enjoy watching them grow. Plus, there are always times when something is just too cute to not capture on film.

Other tasks I help out with:
Making alcohol free, gentle, cheaper wipes-am also a pro using cloth diapers
Make excellent baby and toddler food from a variety of organic cookbooks
Change trashes/diaper genie
Check closet for clothes that are too small
Pick up necessities pertaining to baby and run small errands
Vacuuming and keeping baby areas safe
Baby laundry
Weekly goals as determined by child’s interests, strengths, areas of improvement and developmental goals and milestones. Starting around 15 months, I then start doing more detailed lesson plans, using curriculum based on my experience as a lead teacher for an NAEYC accredited Child Development Center.
Please note: I am open to doing other tasks, when time permits. If it is not on this list, feel free to ask about it-these are just what I do at my current job.

Thank you very much for reading my posting-I know it was long, I just want parents to be able to get an idea of what kind of caregiver I am. So if you are expecting your child in the next few months and are looking for childcare starting in late Summer, early Fall, please do not hesitate to contact me to see if we might be a good fit.

Child Ages:

3 weeks - 5 years

Rates:

$$$

Smoker:

No

Licenses & Accreditations:

Newborn Care Specialist
90-Hour Early Childhood Development Certification
Current First Aid/CPR
Up-to-date vaccinations
Three completed background checks

Special Needs:

I have experience with preemies, asthmatics, children on the Autism spectrum and children with ADHD.

Number of Children Willing to Care for:

2 children

Hours of Operation:

Regular Business Hours and occasional nights and weekends