Cecilia

Professional, Creative and Extremely Trustworthy!

Cecilia worked for us as a full-time 'live-in' nanny for a 5 week temporary period, in sole charge of our 6 month old baby girl. Throughout her time with us, she was professional, reliable, creative and extremely trustworthy!

She maintained a daily diary which we were able to review each evening, describing daily activities and routine.
She sought out and brought our daughter to creative group activities in local libraries and museums.
She had lots of fun and creative play ideas for rainy days, such as helium balloons and blowing bubbles.
She was aware of all the relevant development milestones and ensured that our daughter made progress towards them (tummy time, sitting up, weaning etc.). She always came across as friendly and professional at all times and maintained a very pleasant work and play environment.

In summary, we thought she was excellent.

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by Parent about Cecilia on 11/02/2018

Untrustworthy

When we first met Cecilia we were impressed by how easily she built a rapport with our baby son. After the first week she gushed about how much she enjoyed looking after him and asked when we would be able to increase her days per week from three to four. She seemed too good to be true and she was. After the second week she handed in her notice because she had been offered a more lucrative maternity nanny job. She was totally unapologetic and had the cheek to ask for a reference! There were a few minor problems (e.g. she brought him home freezing) but our main concern was how easily she lied to us about planning to stay for the long term and then how brazen she was when that changed. Handle with care.

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by Judith about Cecilia on 16/12/2017

Response by Cecilia on 18/12/2017:

I'm sad to see that you have taken the opportunity to write a negative review about me considering this is the first time I have known about any 'problems'. Although, I can understand and sympathise that you were unhappy and probably disappointed that I was leaving after three weeks, that's no excuse to speak untruthfully of me in an attempt to reflect badly on me and my career.

In the three weeks that I cared for your 17-month-old toddler, I took him around London on lots of adventures that we both really enjoyed, and you seemed happy to hear about. He was always dressed appropriately while out with me. On the one occasion where he had cold hands (not freezing), I explained to you that on the way back from our trip he kept taking off his mittens. You never addressed me about this but in fact laughed and said that it's something he always did. He had never done this with me before which is why I was surprised to hear you say that.
Although I had intentions of staying long term when we first meet (while out for the afternoon at the museum and park) and had inquired about extra hours, once I started working in your home, I was unable to settle and be comfortable. An opportunity with a family known to me came up and I took it due to me not feeling settled and because the job was working more of a maternity role. It's very important to me that a match with a family works both ways. I gave the required one weeks notice as stated in the contract. It stated that both parties were able to give a weeks' notice at any time during the three-month probation period. You could have asked me not to work my notice
if you felt I was 'untrustworthy' and unable to adequately care for your son but you still allowed me to work with him in your home as his sole charge Nanny. I feel a probation period is a time for both parties to decide if there's a 'good fit'. It's unfortunate that there wasn't one for me on this occasion however much I tried.
I apologised in the letter and to you directly and even offered to help in any way possible during the transition period.

I hope that you are able to find a suitable Nanny for you and your 17-month-old son. One that's a good fit for all parties concerned.

Cece

Excellent, Creative & Kind Nanny

Cecilia has been looking after our 13 month old boy on a regular basis for three full days a week as a nanny, and she has been absolutely brilliant. She's built a great rapport with him, takes him out on all kinds of different outings (a butterfly house, the library, toddler groups, the summer sandpit on Southbank) and has done some lovely creative activities with him (the latest was finger painting with homemade edible paint!) Cecilia is reliable, responsible, kind and trustworthy and very good at taking the initiative and coming up with new ideas. She's safety conscious (very important with an adventurous toddler!) and her up to date first aid qualifications are reassuring. I've noticed that Cecilia is aware of and interested in different developmental stages and practiced at creating a boundaried, warm environment that's excellent for learning and is a lot of fun. She's very responsive, and spends a lot of time singing and talking with my son and reading him books. Most importantly, he's always happy to see her and obviously enjoys her company and feels safe with her, while we feel comfortable knowing he's in professional and kind hands.

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by Firefly about Cecilia on 11/10/2017

Reliable, caring and highly capable babysitter

Cecilia has looked after our baby son for a few hours either in the afternoon or evening. On each occasion I have had confidence he is in safe hands with Cecilia's knowledge and experience in childcare and her cheerful attitude. We are able to relax knowing she will follow any instructions we give but also that she will use her own good judgement. She always arrives promptly and ready to engage with our boy and we shall continue to use her as a babysitter.

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• Communication

by Parent about Cecilia on 21/08/2017