Deedee

My Summary

Experienced, Ofsted Registered, Special Needs Experience

My Experience

I HAVE INCLUDED A LOT OF INFORMATION IN MY PROFILE. PLEASE JUST SKIP TO THE PART(S) THAT INTEREST YOU :)

Having worked with children both locally and internationally for more than 25 years I have LOTS of childcare experience with ages from birth to leaving home. I particuly enjoy babies through thei 'terrible 2s' (Terrific 2s!) — 5's.

'Only' children, 'middle' children, multiples, families through change- from new baby, moving home to separation, divorce, re-marriage, bereavement.... I have worked with many, many children and am proud to still be in touch with many of them :) They are and always will be my 'borrowed babies', and hold a very dear place in my heart!



I have done:

* Parenting! I am a wife and mom to a wonderful 17 year old boy :)

* Extensive babysitting~ all ages

* Live-in Nanny.

* Live-out Nanny.

* Au Pair Training and Support

* Holiday and After School club supervision



* Sun City (in Bophuthatswana) ACPRO (Assistant Complex Children's Public Relations Officer)~ this involved the care, supervision and entertainment of groups of children on holiday who had never met before in a variety of settings and activities, from story-time and creative art, to horse-riding, bowling, swimming, treasure hunts, discos, drama dress-up, bird & animal meet & greets, game drives and crocodile park visits! We made their visits fun and memorable!

* Event face-painting ~ eg school fetes, craft fairs, parties etc

* Children's parties ~ any or all of: planning, preparation, presentation, invitations, catering, entertainment, games, party-favours, face-painting, clean-up. Finding a way for your birthday boy or girl(s) to have their special event regardless of the budget etc

* Travel Au Pair ~ ie taking children from one location to another -

eg 1) Sole charge: collect from Mommy's house and deliver safely to Daddy's house in the same county.

eg 2) Sole charge: Collect from Daddy's house in Camps Bay, South Africa and deliver to Grandma's house in Devon, UK, three days later. Repeat in reverse 16 days later. (more examples at end)**

* Short Term Live-In, Sole Charge; ie move into family home and take care of home, children, pets, staff etc in parents absence eg on business trips. Various bookings ranging from a weekend to 5 weeks at a time. I did this on average once a month for 4 years.

* Relief Care - as above in but at my home as opposed to theirs.

* Teaching Assistant ~ UK, reception class.

* Exceptional Circumstance - eg post trauma re-integration of a child exposed to a violent crime, assisting both child and parents in recovering confidence, building relationships of trust, managing anxiety and fears, and moving on.



I am open to learning all I can about particular conditions that are new to me so as to be best able to support individual children and their families.

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Further detail and examples:

* Specific, intensive, hands-on tutoring / intervention with specific conditions eg I did ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) & RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) training and work under Jenny Buckle in Welgemoed, SA, when working with a little boy diagnosed with PDD (Pervasive Development Delay) and a little girl who had an ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder).

* Live in and Live out High Care ~ eg Diabetes: I met this 'borrowed baby' when he was just 2yrs old and together we learned all about type1 diabetes- from blood sugars and glucagon to twice-daily injections, the importance of diet, precise record keeping, unerring attention to detail, having fun regardless of the day's challenges! self-control and that life's about a CAN do attitude and not getting stuck on what you 'can't'. He's now all grown up, and I'm ever so proud of the responsible, articulate, wonderful young man he has grown up to be!

eg 2 Phobias: Sometimes it's very difficult for a child to interact with his/her world because of something that deeply scares / affects them, and which is difficult or impossible for them to communicate to the adults around them. To those adults, it can be confusing and deeply upsetting to know that your beloved child is sometimes 'not ok' but you can't figure out what is triggering the problem, and therefore impossible to resolve it. Imagine for a moment that your 10 month old goes into distressed meltdown, frequently, and she is three and a half years old before it is 'officially' recognised that she is phobic of something as simple and as obscure as Closed Doors. That's High Care. These situations are literally everywhere!! And I'm a person who helps her, and you, figure out a safe way through the day-to-day xxx

**More examples of Travel Au Pair, referenced above

eg 3) Sole charge: Meet family at holiday destination/ airport and bring children home in time for school, provide in loco parentis care until parent's return.

eg 4) Accompanied: travel with the family taking care

My Qualifications

I am Ofsted registered (inspected and confirmed compliant) CRB checked, a Pacey member and my paediatric first aid & insurances are up to date. I hold a full UK drivers license and have my own 6 seater vehicle, appropriately insured. I do not smoke, only very occasionally drink socially, and am very animal friendly.

When I started doing what I do, there was no such thing as being a 'qualified nanny' where I come from in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa , so I QBE ~ Qualified by Experience :) I have been a live in and a live out nanny for many families on three continents, (from one off single babysitting bookings to six years with one family and pretty much everything in between!) This experience has taught me a lot about children and about myself ;)

Over the years I have done many courses and diplomas, not limited to childcare, including qualifying with distinction as an international Travel Agent fluent in Galileo, Public Relations, and Customer Care & Communication. Throughout my travels (4.5yrs backpacking solo) & studies I nannied to support and fund myself.

My Availability

I work part time with a number of different families, and also offer flexible / ad hoc availability around my existing committments. I have a special bond with special needs families, am always willing to learn and I am always happy to help out if possible. If you have a childcare need I might be able to help with please don't hesitate to get in touch. All enquiries welcome :)

Thanks for your interest!

My Fees

• Nannying from £15.00 per hour (gross)
• Babysitting from £15.00 per hour

*Please note rate increase to £16.50 from 06 April 2023*

Around £15.00 p/h per family, depending on number of children, number of meals and travel distances involved.

This increase has been unavoidable due to the increased costs of fuel, food, utilities etc. associated with providing my service.

Hourly or flat rates available by arrangement.

3 hour minimum booking, and Mileage is charged at current AA rate.

If I might be the right person for your needs, please don't hesitate to get in touch :)

Thanks for taking the time to look at my profile :) !!