Kirsty

My Requirements

I am seeking shame-free and punishment-free respectful childcare for my boy. Someone who will treat him like a full human, with needs that are equally as important as adults. In our home we are gentle but firm with boundaries, not permissive, nor authoritarian.

I live right next to Horfield Common so I'm well placed. Outside time is really important and so trips to the park, the woods or playing in the garden are all welcomed. As much opportunity to run, jump, and be a little boy as possible.

He also enjoys playing inside and is mostly happy to play independently if needed with his kitchen or his tool bench, or just tinkering with a toy on the floor. I encourage him to join in with all housework and 90% of the time he wants to help me to do laundry or wash up or hoover, but if he doesn't he knows the alternative is to play alone.

I'd like whoever comes in to step in as me, this might mean doing light things like loading/unloading the dishwasher or hanging out a load of washing, chopping veg or prepping his snacks/lunch. My boy usually helps with all of these things. He's also a fan of anyone who will bake with him! I hate baking, so it's a bonus if you can follow a biscuit recipe! :)

I'm happy/would like to support a slow settling in period. Our current nanny built up time away from me with him over a few weeks. We did our settle session with me in the background and then I have slowly moved upstairs for longer periods. I need to work towards being able to say hi and then disappearing to my office for a few hours. He is very used to this setup with our current nanny and usually if I come down and he's home, he asks me to go away and do more work!

I would love a commitment of at least 6 months, but ideally you could stay with us longer. Our current nanny who is sadly leaving us at the end of Jan has been with us 18 months. I intend to home educate so there is no fixed end date.

Over time, there may be potential to increase hours, if you had availability. Though this isn't essential, so don't be put off applying if that wouldn't be possible. I am open to offering one full day to the right person, so if you're interested and that's the only thing in the way of applying, please do say hello anyway and let's have a chat. Equally if you can only do 1 half day to begin with, please also apply as I'm willing to try and accommodate this for the right person.

Looking forward to having a quick phone call or coffee with you and exploring how we might be able to make this work.
Kirsty (and Ronan)