Nanny in Toronto, Ontario

Hello! I'm a literacy and outdoor-oriented nanny/educator currently available for school drop-offs, morning positions, and weekends. I am familiar with a variety of ages, situations and circumstances. In September 2022, I finished a one-year part-time contract with a 10-month-old boy until he went to Montessori. In March 2023, a four and a half year after-school position ended when mum went on maternity leave. The children were 4 and 6 when I started and we went from playing with stuffies (which still happened when we're putting on shows) to Math, Language and French homework and creating cardboard contraptions. In July 2023 I finished a six-month contract with a then 16-month-old until he had his daycare spot. I also enjoy the company of a children from two families who regularly visit Canada from out of the country. As well as local experience with a variety of families, I have international teaching experience, working at Asian universities, and facilitating educational vacation camps for children of all ages during the summer and winter. I love project-based learning and one of the most rewarding experiences of my life was watching language acquisition explode during a science club where we grew crystals, built bridges, and coloured carnations. My students/charges and I have also made natural inks and dyes, leaf-printed onto fabric (involved the use of hammers/hammer substitutes- lots of fun!), and made cyanotype placemats among other activities. I love crafting, and where there is interest, have taught my charges how to sew, knit, cross-stitch and wield a hot-glue gun with power. We also love cardboard boxes, and for the older children, I save Instagram craft videos for us to try. Many have been a fail, and that makes us laugh our heads off. We still laugh at our washcloth teddy bears. A nature-lover, I'm a big believer in the Forest School philosophy. Children thrive in the outdoors, all-year round, in all types of weather, and I like to organize a seasonal curriculum of activities. I also enjoy baking with children, messy play and love reading books. I encourage independence and curiosity in my charges. I meet the children in my care where they are, and treat them as individuals. It doesn't matter how many children I know who freely climb trees without needing encouragement. I'm there for the child who needs a helping hand, a kind word, and validation for the tiny steps they take to conquer their trepidation and discomfort. I have a common sense solution to most every problem and I offer peace-of-mind to employers, and quality, child-focused care. I'm communicative, flexible and experienced. My references will attest to everything I've written and more!