I am 25 years old, born and raised in Victoria BC. My interests outside of work include dance/aerial disciplines and baking/cake decorating. I have 10 years of experience working with kids, including first hand from living with my 4 young cousins. I am Organized, Crafty, Upbeat, Patient, Nurturing, Adventurous, Imaginative, Self aware, Responsible, Trustworthy and so much more :)
I completed the Red Cross Babysitting Course in September 2009, shortly after my sister and I started working with a family that lived down our street. I started with walking their dogs, as my sister cared for their oldest daughter (just over a year old at the time) while her Mom was home. As their family grew, I started looking after their children as well, while their Mom was home as well as when their parents would have evenings out together. As the three kids grew up, I began helping out with school pickups and after school care once a week, and “Day Camp” activities through the summer such as picnics at the park, beach days, and movie/arcade rainy day adventures.
Through my grade 12 year, I began working with another growing family entertaining their 2 year old daughter as they were preparing for the arrival of their second child. I quickly fell in love with the family, and stuck with them for the next two years, caring for their two daughters on a casual basis before I moved to Ontario.
After high school, while working part time at Dairy Queen, I started nannying for a new family on a more regular basis (3-4 days a week, 2-8 hours at a time) when the parent’s shifts overlapped at work. I spent time in their family home, and the surrounding parks, caring for and entertaining their son (3 years) and daughter (12 months). Over the next 6 months, I watched the children grow and helped them learn. We spent as much time outside as seasons would allow, playing and making friends with neighbourhood kids and going on local adventures.
In the summer of 2017, I moved across the country to live with my Aunt, Uncle, and four young cousins in St. George Ontario. My cousins have held such a special place in my heart since the first was born back in 2006, and I have been lucky enough to be a part of their lives ever since. I had spent several weeks a year staying with them in the years prior, and knew this was to be my home. The four girls, ages 8, 6, 4, and 14 months (at the time) instantly became the center of my life. I spent that summer playing with them in the pool, meeting their friends, and falling in love with having kids as a part of my daily life. I was able to participate first hand in day to day things such as getting the girls ready for the day, school drop offs/pickups, after school activities, sibling conflict resolution, cooking for a family, nap time, bedtimes and so much more. I’ve learned about navigating milestones and special occasions such as losing teeth, learning to swim, potty training, Christmas time, and family trips.
The girls (now age 13, 11, 9, and 5) make me proud every day, and continue to pursue interests in outdoor sports, baking, music and reading.