Annaluna

My Summary

My Experience

10 years of Childcare experience;
Ages: from 6 months + 3 to 15 years;
Previous Roles: live out Nanny (both part-time and full-time).

In Tenerife I had been in charge of Roberto for 6 years (from his 5 to 11) and I spent with him all the afternoons from Monday to Friday, from 1 pm to 5 pm. Roberto's parents divorced shortly after I started working as his nanny and that was a little after the discovery of Roberto's allergies problems. It was a delicate period, both psychologically and emotionally as well as physically, but we all managed it in the best possible way and all this experience brought us together even more.

When I met Ivo, here in London, he had just turned 3 and Sylvia had just turned 7. I stayed with them for 2 years. Besides the 'classic basic activities' (picking them up from kindergarten/school, going with them to club activities, preparing healthy meals and snacks, reading lots of books and helping them a bit with homework) depending on the period of the year or the circumstances we spent as much time as possible outdoors, discovering new playgrounds where we could create new adventures and collect leaves, stones or branches for our creative activities to do at home. Many visits to museums, the zoo and our beloved Gambado (indoor soft play centre). I also organised many playdates for both of them.
I always dedicated some time to music (dancing, singing, creating songs or just listening to music) and also let them free to enjoy their favourite activities, toys and games at home. On some occasions, it was necessary to go with them to the doctor or dentist.

From August 2023 to August 2024 I was working part-time after school with two teenagers (13 and 15 years old) and the oldest one has Down Syndrome. I picked him up from school once a week (the other afternoons he arrived on the school bus), prepared dinner (for both boys), helped him with his homework and stayed with him until his parents finished work at 8.00 pm. We played a lot of table tennis and chess, as well as engaging in other educational activities. During holidays or when possible, we cooked together and went out in search of adventure at the park. To foster his passions (marine biology, dinosaurs and palaeontology, volcanoes and world wars) we often visited the aquarium and various museums in London. Although his brother is more independent and does not need much supervision, of course I was there for him too.

At the same time, since the beginning of April this year, I also had another part-time job in the mornings (which since September became the main full-time job) with a family that has a baby boy (now almost 11 months old but who was nearly 6 when I started) and his 4-year-old brother. I take care of all the activities related to caring for a baby (feeding and weaning, changing nappies, sterilising bottles and toys, sleeping routines, maintaining the play area, organising clothes/laundry, playing, starting to socialise with other babies) and those related to caring for a toddler entering the preschool phase, as I did with Ivo (drop off to the nursery -now Reception- preparation of healthy meals and snacks, club activities, organisation of ludic activities and playdates, books reading, etc).
I speak to them in Italian as the family is half-Italian and rightly wants to teach this language to their little ones, so with the eldest I take care of explaining the language to him.

Having a calming influence and creating a loving, warm environment to thrive in is something that I do try to manifest in all contexts of life, with children and with adults as well, because I believe that this is the best field where someone may plant the seeds of good relationships. Especially for kids, who are going to be the adults of the future, is essential to have a positive and appreciative environment that will help to grow their inner nature and potential. For this reason, I would like to know which activities the kids enjoy the most, to understand them better and set them free to enjoy their passions. Starting from that point, I would like to propose to them something different, anything that could be new and interesting for them to stimulate their curiosity and to discover distinct skills. According to the kids’ age, I speak openly with them and I share my day-to-day life and emotions, to show them I keep in consideration their opinion. So, day after day, I make them realise that there is nothing to worry about in being open with people who love us, that it is natural and positive.
At the same time, I try to stimulate their communication skills through simple but respectful questions, never trying to lead their answer so I can understand better how they do feel or think. When something "goes wrong" for them in their lives, I try to make them laugh because laughter helps people relieve stress. Consequently, it is easier to raise their spirit and make them see the positive side of things and have a good perception of life.

I never had “my own” children but I spent a lot of time with my friends’ kids and with the children I was taking care of as a Nanny and those had been very fun and intense experiences. Children's energy and curiosity are revitalising for me. Many times their way to see the facts helped me to reconsider the way I see things. Spending time with them is a good-natured exchange, a genuine "give and take" situation which unfortunately many times is hard to experience with adults. Thanks to the kids I developed my patience and capacity to "take things easy", not take things to heart, do not take them personally. And, even more important, they helped me reconnect with my inner child, in that playful way that an adult has forgotten or let apart during the life path.

My Qualifications

-Qualification in Applied Arts (Italy).
-Development of communication skills (200 hours), University Extension Course, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain).
-2 Pediatric First Aid certificates (London).

My Availability

30-35 hours per week, Monday to Friday (not during the weekends)

My Fees

• Babysitting from £16.00 per hour
• Nannying from £16.00 per hour (net)

Starting from £16 NET per hour but TBD for specific situations (e.g Special needs kid, two kids instead of one, their age)