Sophie

My Summary

My Experience

I’ve been around children for most of my life, growing up with two younger brothers eight years my junior meant I was introduced to childcare from a young age. This early experience developed into a genuine enjoyment of working with children, which I continued to explore through regular volunteering at nursery schools during university.

While studying in the U.S. as a Bobby Jones Scholar, I took part in Emory Reads, a programme supporting children from low-income backgrounds with reading and literacy skills. It was a rewarding opportunity to help young learners grow in confidence and ability.

I also spent time working as an au pair in Spain, where I cared for three children aged 5 to 12. This role gave me hands-on experience with daily routines, school support, and creating fun, engaging activities tailored to different age groups.

I’ve often considered retraining as a primary school teacher, but I’m not in a position to make a full career change at this stage. Still, I love working with children and supporting their learning in any way I can. I’m a lifelong learner myself, with a passion for reading and writing, and I’d be more than happy to help with homework or tutor literacy skills as part of my care.

My Qualifications

While I do not hold formal childcare qualifications, I have extensive hands-on experience caring for children in both personal and professional settings, including a recent stint volunteering at both a high school and with primary 2 aged children in a school setting. I hold a degree in English Literature from the University of St Andrews, and was selected as a Bobby Jones Scholar, completing a year of postgraduate study in the U.S.

Through my studies and volunteer work - including nursery school placements, literacy support programmes, and a role as an au pair in Spain - I’ve developed strong communication, organisational, and nurturing skills that are highly relevant to childcare.

I also hold a PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) certificate from previous volunteering work with young people in a previous professional job and would be happy to provide references on request.

My Availability

I currently work full-time, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5:30pm. I’m available for childcare on weekends, and can also offer weekday evening availability from 6pm onwards.

Please note that on occasion (around 1–2 times per month), I may need to travel to Glasgow or Edinburgh for work, which may affect my availability on certain weeknights. For this reason, evening bookings are best made in advance.

My Fees

• Babysitting from £13.00 per hour

Standard Babysitting (Evenings & Weekends): £13 per hour

Overnight Stay (e.g. 8pm–8am): £90 per night

Please note that weekday evening bookings are best made in advance, as I occasionally travel for work.

Rates may vary slightly depending on the number of children or specific needs. I'm happy to discuss arrangements that work well for your family.