C Ocean
Nanny in Portsmouth
Usually responds within 24 hours
Female Member since Jan 2014 Last Updated Oct 2024 Last Login Nov 2024
My Summary
About Me
**Currently available**
Heya, I'm Core (rhymes with story) Ocean, I generally go by Ocean.
I'm a nature orientated professional nanny, looking for a warm-hearted position near to Portsmouth/ Southsea area. I'm happy to commute.
I'm originally from New Zealand, however I have dual nationality and have been living on and off in England for the last 10 years. I'd love to work with a family that genuinely wishes for the children to spend a great deal of time being and learning outdoors, as the combination of kids and nature fills my heart with joy.
I have been working in nanny and child-related roles for the last 16 years, experiencing a variety of situations from which I have acquired many skills. I have had a few years away from official nanny roles as I was pursuing various other interests that required a lot of moving around.
Why I love working with children:
I love working with children because I find it is the young mind that opens new doors, makes new connections and teaches me something new. The inquisitive nature of children never ceases to amaze me. Their raw personalities, baffling quirks, interesting perspectives and personal challenges continually surprise me. My favourite age group is 2 years to 5 years (although all of it is beautiful) as there is something particularity endearing about this age. The growth and development of the children I work with is of great significance to me, I give it my absolute all.
How I Nanny:
I have included this section because I know how many different ways there are to raise children, and I see no point in tiptoeing around the subject. I've had enough variety through my work, to draw my own conclusions based on my education, experiences and observations. So without further ado, my approach to raising children:
I find that children often forget the names and faces of the carers in those early years but they do remember some of the teachings that have been passed on. What I wish for all of the children I care for is this; for each of them to have a strong sense of themselves, of their own identity. I want them to trust themselves to listen to themselves, and in doing so know what is right for who they are. I want for them to be connected to, to respect, to love and to value nature - as we depend upon it, and that is where children thrive. I want for them to see the beauty of our world, to see the positives in any situation, to believe in some kind of magic and most of all, to really know both joy and love. I am simply an encouraging guide and protector whilst the children learn through having choice and self direction. I listen to what the children want, they know their own needs. I listen to my inner guidance and trust my intuition.
I value giving children new experiences, giving them a safe place/situation to (1) learn about how the world and everything in it works, and (2) grow into the unique individuals that they are. Above all I value letting children keep their wonder and love of life alive. My aim is always to teach them to see the magic and colour of life and to wonder at the world we live in.
I believe in building strong, positive and open relationships with the children and families I work with. In my experience, the consistency and trust built provides a stronger foundation for the ups and downs of life. I often remain in contact with the families I've worked with for years to come.
A Bit About Me:
Words that have been used to describe me are; unique, optimistic, deep, friendly, uplifting, confident, reliable. As a nanny I am kind, loving, fun, consistent, fair and gently firm. I'm bare foot as often as possible and am often found slightly muddy with feathers or flowers in my hair. My pockets are often full with interesting things I've found over the day, treasure to children. Learning, seeing or doing something new is my foremost interest - which is wonderful as it is given freely everyday.
Where do my passions outside of children lay? That is another question altogether. As for the answer, there are many... I love the outdoors and any chance I get to be outside is taken; walking, hiking, sitting, dancing, slack-lining, being. I love to climb and will climb anything I can; trees, rocks, walls, cliffs, mountains. I love dance and movement; dancing, fire spinning, stretching, bioenergetics. I also love to use my creative side; there are always a few projects on the go in my life, with myself being the biggest. My spaces are always filled with something I'm building, designing or crafting. I also appreciate using my brain; reading, puzzles, games, conversing philosophically. I live to travel and experience different ways of being, to grow and expand my essence. I love to garden, all of it; from landscaping and designing to weeding, planting and growing veges, trees and flowers. I have just moved away from a huge part of my life, an ecstatic dance crew that facilitate conscious workshops, dances and festivals that promote joy, connection and mind/body health. It is work that I am proud of, I feel blessed to have been a part of it for many years.
I'm completely comfortable with pets, dogs in particular. In fact I've spent a great deal of time working with dogs in many environments and situations, so much so that dogs have become my second profession and I can't be without them.
Transport: I am a confident driver and hold a valid UK drivers license. I own a campervan, rather than a car, which isn't suitable for work. I'm happy to drive an employer's car and have 15 years experience under my belt.
I also have an excellent understanding of the public transport system and I love walking (like you wouldn't believe). I comfortably walk 15 miles a day.
Thankyou for taking the time to read this.
My Experience
My experience has come in all shapes and sizes over the last 16 years. Many of the children I have worked with have had disabilities, special needs or are coping with difficult situations. I have worked with large families, single parents, only children, twins and families through change (new babies, separation, etc).
*Please feel free to skip ahead to the part/s that relate to you!
I have been a live-in nanny and a live-out nanny.
I have had sole charge of children ranging from 6 months to 15 years. Longest period of unbroken sole charge was three days.
I have been a PA to a family with a new born and a 6 year old with special needs.
I have been a mothers help. Being a friend and support as well as sharing the duties of childcare (often for a few hours a day).
I have had partners with children (none of my own) and I understand how complex the situation can be.
I have worked alongside both small and large teams of people to help children with special needs. Everything from dietary plans, physio plans, aftercare plans to dentist appointments and hospital visits.
I have travelled (by car and boat) with families on holiday.
I have taught conversational English to children in Nepal. The children ranged from 6 to 12 years of age.
I have hosted children's birthday parties.
I have taught many children about animal welfare and safety around animals.
I have taught children to swim, cycle, read etc.
I have guided children through separation anxiety, eating difficulties (intolerances, dislikes, comfort eating), loss and grief, potty training, big and small changes.
I have worked with families for varying lengths of time - from one week to 18 months. Each situation required me to apply a different skills set.
September 2020 to 2021 - ad-hoc babysitting. Evening/weekend childcare for previous nanny family.
April 2020 to September 2020 - part time nanny position for a 3.5 year old boy during the covid crisis. This job is woodland education based and we spend five hours playing and exploring the local woodland each day that he is in my care.
August 2018 to June 2019 - full time caring for two boys ages 6 and 4 years. From early breakfast to evening bath, and everything in between.
2018 March - live in nanny for a spanish family through the initial adjustment period of new baby.
2016 September to 2017 September - working as a full time nanny of boy/girl twins. Began when they were 2 years 3 months. I return to this family over the holiday periods when I don't have a permanent position elsewhere. I also have the kiddiewinks once a month (or thereabouts) for a day just because I love them.
2016 April to September - working as a full time nanny caring for twin boys both with special needs. The focus of this role has been their cognitive and physical development.
2015 to 2016 - worked the afternoons and evenings caring for a 4 year old girl.
2015 - during the school holidays I worked as a PA for a 6 year old boy with special needs.
2014 to 2015 - Worked as a nanny/mothers help for a family with a 3 year old boy and twin 2 year old girls.
2013 - I was living with my 6 year old niece and helping to manage her difficulties (dealing with a split family and teaching her to manage her ADHD).
2012 - I was working as a volunteer with shelter dogs as well as working in a doggy daycare. Together these companies hosted children's birthday parties and ran a programme teaching children about animal welfare and interacting with dogs.
2008 to 2011- I cared for two children with sever mental disabilities - which included following very precise instruction, managing food, managing seizures and finding new ways to manage everyday actives.
Over five years, six weeks in a year, I had three children aged between 9 and 15 live at my house. I'd often pick them up from Mum and escort them from the South Island to the North Island (NZ) via ferry, to Dad.
2008 - had sole charge of a 10 month old girl - being the support so that she could be removed from a complicated and potentially unsafe situation.
2007 - I was a full time sole care nanny for two girls aged 18 months and 3 years.
2006 - I graduated from Nannies college with a certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care. This was a 6 month hands on course where I experienced working closely with two families. Children aged 6 months to 5 years.
My Qualifications
In 2006 I trained as a nanny through Wellington Nannies College, New Zealand. This provided me with a certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care.
In 2013 I trained as a NLP practitioner and hypnotherapist through Transformations, based in New Zealand. This training has provided me with an incredible insight into the mind, mostly with regards to trauma and issues/difficulties. Further more, it has given me the tools to help people, adult and child alike, manage or move beyond difficult situations.
In 2019/20 I completed a diploma in Arboriculture and Forestry with distinction.
In 2024 I completed a level 4 diploma in TEFL.
I have completed a youth worker course.
QBE
I am a master of the flatpack furniture and DIY as I have had endless experience.
I have backpacked both solo and with a friend through Nepal, India, France, Spain, Portugal - more to come.
I was the majority of the way through a double major in philosophy and psychology at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, when I decided to take a break half way to see a bit of the world... The break has been longer than I originally planned and I'm not sure if I'll return, such is the journey of life.
I have been doing various elements of holistic training over the last few years. My aim is to compile all I am learning and have learnt, from all angles and perspectives, with the purpose of facilitating courses and workshops supporting the ideal of self acknowledgement and therefore self healing and self growth.
My Availability
I'm looking for a live out position consisting 20 to 40 hours a week.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Evening | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 17/10/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Nannying from £12.00 per hour (net)
Between £12 and £15 an hour, depending on the hours worked and the work load ie. number of children and household duties.
My Documents
- Full CV (added 19/03/2024)
- UK Passport (added 23/02/2024)
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