Mc80

My Requirements

We're looking for an experienced, capable and genuinely warm nanny to care for our very active, curious and playful 17-month-old daughter. Ideally, we'd like someone to start as soon as possible, with a view to building a long-term relationship with our family. We're looking to have multiple paid short sessions ahead of work start to get our child used to the nanny and vice versa.

Approach to play and development

We're looking for someone who engages with children in a child-led way, following their interests and curiosity while also bringing their own initiative, creativity and ideas. We want someone who can create lovely opportunities for learning, exploration, play and discovery, rather than feeling the need to constantly entertain, direct or stimulate a child. We're not looking for a Miss Rachel-style approach, but rather someone who enjoys genuine interaction, conversation, imaginative play and the simple pleasures of exploring the world together.

Physical capability and the outdoors

Our daughter is very active and weighs approximately 12kg, so physical capability is important. We live in a beautiful natural environment close to the beach, with hills, steps and uneven terrain. We need someone who is physically confident and comfortable lifting, carrying and keeping up with an energetic toddler outdoors.

Experience using a child carrier backpack would be a bonus, particularly for beach walks and exploring further afield, but it isn't essential.

A genuine love of nature and the outdoors is particularly important to us. We'd love someone who will make the most of our surroundings, take her on adventures, explore the beach and woodland, enjoy gardening and perhaps introduce her to local nature groups and outdoor activities.

Emotional development and parenting approach

We're looking for someone who is naturally calm, patient and emotionally attuned, who understands toddler development and responds thoughtfully rather than reactively.

Respecting our daughter's body, boundaries and emotions is very important to us. We want her to grow up feeling that her voice and feelings matter. For example, if she hurts herself or becomes upset, we prefer to acknowledge and validate how she feels rather than automatically dismissing it with phrases like "you're okay".

We also avoid excessive praise and instead encourage her to develop an intrinsic sense of achievement, confidence and pride in what she can do, rather than relying on external validation.

Montessori principles inform much of our approach, particularly encouraging independence, curiosity, practical learning and allowing children the space to explore and develop at their own pace.

Family values

Christianity and nurturing a relationship with God are important parts of our family life. We value a sense of wonder, gratitude and reverence for the world around us, and would love someone who can respect and support that environment. However, we welcome people of all faiths and none; we don't expect our nanny to share our religious beliefs.

Experience and personal qualities

Previous professional nanny experience and a strong understanding of toddler development are important. Above all, we're looking for someone reliable, proactive, emotionally mature and genuinely invested in their role.

Someone who can take responsibility for creating a lovely, enriching day, exercise good judgement, use their initiative and become a trusted and valued part of our family over the long term.