Nanny in Victoria, British Columbia

Hi there! My name is Sarah and I'm a 21 year old nanny from Victoria, BC, looking for full time work in September 2019. I've spent my whole life caring for children, starting when I took the red cross babysitting course at age 12. After several years of babysitting, I became a nanny full-time in 2017, and never looked back! I have experience with children of all ages, but most recently I've been caring for babies/toddlers aged 9mo-2y. I would say some of the main values that guide my style as a nanny are safety, kindness, communication, autonomy, and of course, fun! I strive to make every day with my charge(s) an enriching experience, through outings to the beach, pool, parks, playdates, and playgroups, while still maintaining a daily routine. I'm also comfortable with light housework (child's laundry, some cleaning/organization/pet care) and some meal prep, especially if I'm working with a child that is still napping. The most important things I look for in a potential employer are: a) Communication. I encourage my charges to communicate their feelings, and I find that my relationship with my employers works best when we communicate as well. I'm open, flexible, and completely understand that not everyone raises kids the same way, so if something I'm doing isn't working for you, let me know what you'd prefer me to do and I'm more than happy to oblige. Adjusting to a new family (and nanny) is a process, and that process goes smoother if everyone is open about their feelings. b) Willingness to negotiate a contract. Some of the key categories in a contract for me are schedule, pay (how much, weekly or biweekly, cheque or direct deposit) specific duties (just childcare, or is cleaning required, for example,) and benefits (guaranteed hours, vacation days, sick days.) c) Similar values and parenting styles. I believe children learn best when they are given age appropriate freedom to make choices, whether that's letting them take 20 minutes to put on their own socks, or taking 15 minutes to talk through why something is or isn't a good idea. I'm not one to just say "no," without explanation, rather, I prefer "what do you think would happen if you tried that?" I also believe strongly in kindness and inclusivity, and I do not feel comfortable with physical discipline. d) Close to public transportation. As I've not had access to a vehicle in recent years (due to boarding school and moving away from home) I'm in the process of getting my driver's licence still. I've used public transportation for full time nanny jobs in the past, and it's always been quite reliable. If it sounds like I might be a good fit for your family, send me a message (messages work better than calls) and I'll get back to you ASAP! I'm going to be in Duncan visiting family for the summer, so I'm looking to start work in early September 2019, but with a few days notice I can interview in Victoria during August no problem!