My Summary
About Me
CV viewable under 'my documents'
I am a 32 year old lady living in Wadhurst, East Sussex. I hold a full UK Clean Driving Licence and have access to a car.
To date I have 13 years of childcare experience as a Nanny and Primary School Teaching Assistant. I have also been a leader of a children's organization abroad in Brazil.
Growing up in a family of seven in the English countryside I had a very active childhood and have a great belief that the outdoors is the ideal place for children to be inventive and creative! I love to encourage the children to appreciate and enjoy the natural world. I also encourage children with their own interests and hobbies as well as thinking of new activities to keep them engaged. I have a natural watchful eye and am well equipped to ensure a safe environment inside and outside the house.
I am a competent cook, having completed a two year Leiths Cookery Course and Food Hygiene Certificate and am very passionate about providing healthy substantial meals. I absolutely love baking and enjoy making cakes/cookies/breads with the children. I'm very happy to do healthy alternatives for recipes.
I encourage children to be well mannered, polite to one another, to share and to clear up after themselves.
It is very important that I have a good, respectful relationship with the parents and can communicate well with them in establishing set boundaries for the children so that when I am in sole-charge I can have a good interaction with them.
My Experience
Children's Leader in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
June 2021 to July 2023
I was the head of the children's department. I ran various kids clubs for children who live in extreme poverty in Brazil and managed the volunteers. Ages ranged from babies to 14 year olds.
Piano & Singing Teacher (Children & Adults)
Dec 2018 to April 2021
I ran my own teaching company, Songbird Academy in London.
LIVE-OUT NANNY, PECKHAM
February 2017 to December 2018
1 year old boy and 3 year old girl. 9am to 7pm Monday
• Active, engaging outdoor & indoor play (football, hide & seek, IT, painting, arts
& crafts, pretending to be animals) • healthy lunch • baking with children • school collection • park games • maintaining safe environment • bath time • encouraging polite manners & good behaviour.
LIVE OUT NANNY, EAST SHEEN
December 2016 to June 2017
3 year old girl and 7 year old boy. 7.45am to 7pm Monday to Thursday
• helping the 3 year old successfully learn to walk after she had joint problems • fun indoor & outdoor play; painting, skateboarding, cricket, football, tennis, musical time, baking, imaginative tea parties • administering medication during sickness and providing comfort • occasionally working alongside mother • outings to Kew Gardens • taking and collecting from school & clubs • food shop • cooking fresh lunch, dinner and puddings • driving the family car
LIVE-OUT NANNY, NOTTING HILL EMPLOYED BY 'IMPERIAL NANNIES'
August 2015 to July 2016
2 year old boy and 6 year old girl Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm. Plus one night weekly babysitting. Provided term time and holiday cover.
During term time I arrived at the house at 8am, dressed the 2 year old boy, cooked him breakfast and walked with him while he scootered to school, occasionally I took the 6 year old to school also. I would buy the weekly food shop and do the daily chores. Collecting the boy at midday I would make him a fresh healthy lunch and we would play imaginative games together using the sofa as a boat with all his toy animals, on sunny days we would go to the park and play IT and make up our own games. At 3.45pm we collected his sister. I helped the girl with her homework and gave her 30 mins English and Maths tuition every evening over a 6 month period for her school entrance exams. I would cook a healthy dinner. After she had passed her school entrance exams we used the time after school to make various cakes or supper altogether such as snitzels which they loved. I would do the bath and bed time routine and read to the children. During the first 6 months I organized the boys nap time for 1 hour each day and toilet learning. Whilst the boy napped the girl and I would make a den and play families together. I would take them to after school parties, swimming lessons, clubs, play dates and to the Eurostar to meet their parents and pack their bags before going abroad. In the school holidays we would take picnics and go to many different parks, run around together, roll down hills, go exploring and collect leaves and flowers to take home and make collages. We would have painting afternoons where they would paint all sorts of things including each others feet and make hand and footprints. We would make Christmas decorations, build giant lego towers and farms, sing, play the guitar and piano, make up songs altogether and dance. This family did not have a TV.
I created a sticker chart with specific things for them to follow such as being thoughtful, sharing, thinking of fun games as a positive solution to any difficult behaviour.
I always reminded them to be polite, share and to encourage each other and made them feel confident and capable to try new things both personal and academic. I had great communication with the parents and often stayed late last minute. I was always alert traveling around London making sure they were close to me and safe at all times.
LIVE-OUT NANNY, WADHURST (EAST SUSSEX)
September 2013 to May 2015
In September 2013 I began looking after a 2 year old boy and 6 year old girl. I had sole charge of the children from 10am - 6pm two to four days per week. I did the school runs, made home cooked meals, baking with them, arts & crafts, we often invented our own games such as pretending we are animals and playing hospitals. I took them outside on long walks where we made den's and build tipi's, went and saw the animals, played in puddles, played hide and seek & 44 home. In the summer we made water slides and played in the sprinklers. Every so often when the parents were away I looked after them for the weekend.
"To Whom It May Concern:
Re: Annabel Durnford
Annabel started working with us in September 2013 for two full days a week (10am-6pm) looking after my then two-year-old and his six-year-old sister (now four and eight).
Over this period Annabel has worked many additional days and weekends, also babysitting for us as and when needed. Her easy-going and relaxed nature has been a huge help to the ever-changing dynamics of family life and she worked from 7am to 7pm for a four-month period while I studied in London.
Around the home Annabel’s responsibilities encompass all of family life. My primary focus has always been on fostering the children’s joy of life and learning and Annabel’s highly creative, imaginative and joyful play has been fundamental to our happy home environment. She has built many train tracks and Lego creations, read a lot of books and done a huge amount of baking with the children from which they have learnt numerous skills.
She has a wonderful way with them both, rarely getting cross, giving them both the boundaries as needed and the freedom to express themselves. Her musical talents have made a huge contribution to their development, singing songs, making up lyrics, playing the piano and making their own instruments.
Her creativity has been a source of constant joy for the children and they spend many hours painting, reading and acting out games. Her love of the outdoors has also been incredibly important in maintaining a happy and balanced household, particularly with two active children, and they head off on adventures to build dens and play in the fields in all weathers following Annabel’s enthusiastic and energetic lead.
Annabel is excellent at using her initiative and works hard to get the chaos of family life under control and in good order: tidying and cleaning the kitchen, cooking meals, doing the laundry, cleaning, sorting toys and books, as well as doing school runs.
As a family, we are going to feel a tremendous sense of loss come September 2015 when my youngest starts school full-time and Annabel is no-longer be with us two days a week. She has had a wonderful, happy and positive effect on us all and the family will not be the same without her.
Should you wish to talk anything through or ask any questions please do not hesitate to contact me via my mobile or email as above.
Yours faithfully,
Emma Willsteed"
LIVE-IN NANNY, WEST KENSINGTON February 2013 to July 2013
I looked after a 7-8 year old girl who had English Language special needs a few months after her mother had passed away. This involved being in sole charge of her each day apart from the time she was at school. In this particular situation I provided emotional support as well as Extra English, Piano and Singing Lessons. I managed bath & bed times, cooked breakfast, oversaw homework and was responsible for dressing her and taking and collecting her from school each day. Whilst she was at school I would ensure the home was ready for her return and that I had prepared an activity and healthy supper. The child’s father had full confidence in me especially as I had to give the child my full attention when we were out in London. In the holidays I would take her on outings to the parks, museums and cafe’s, organize play dates as well as going swimming and playing tennis with her. I minimized the time she spent watching TV by creating fun activities such as baking and arts & crafts. Considering the circumstances looking after her initially was not straight forward however after establishing set boundaries and effective discipline we were both able to enjoy ourselves.
LIVE-OUT NANNY, TUNBRIDGE WELLS
December 2011 to March 2013
I looked after a 5 month old baby girl, Audrey. My daily routine included; preparing a fresh healthy breakfast, changing her nappy, dressing her, taking her to numerous play groups, playing in the park, preparing and giving her a healthy supper, bathing her, putting her in pyjamas, reading her a story and singing her lullabies as she fell asleep.
“Annabel Durnford has been our nanny since December 2011 and we have been extremely happy with her for all that time. She began looking after our daughter Audrey when the latter was just five months old. They bonded very quickly and Annabel soon became adept at looking after such a young baby. At the time, I was finishing my master’s degree and had some long days away from my daughter two to three days a week. Leaving your child at such a young age is never easy, but I have always had complete confidence and trust in Annabel and it was such a comfort for me to think of all the fun the two of them were having together. It also helped a lot that I felt absolutely confident that Annabel from the start completely followed all my instructions about food, routine, activities and, most importantly, about giving Audrey as much love and affection as I would do myself. From changing nappies, preparing foods and bottles, bathing her, reading books, playing, taking her out to parks and play groups and putting her down for nap time to playing the piano for her, singing and doing the whole bedtime routine, Annabel has done it all and has made it possible for me to enjoy my days at college and work without worrying about whether Audrey was okay.
During this last year Annabel has become a natural part of our family. She has been flexible and has stepped in at short notice, and has always made it very clear how much she enjoys spending time with Audrey. We have now moved, making it difficult for Annabel to continue to look after Audrey. We will all miss her very much and hope she will find a family who will appreciate her as much as we have.
Anne-Rebecca Laurent, Mother of Audrey
CHALET HOST, ALPE D'HUEZ FRANCE February 2010 to April 2010
I welcomed guests, cooked and served breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner and also made packed lunches on request. I was responsible for the daily cleaning of the chalet, shopping to a budget and making sure the hygiene standards were in check. Having completed a Food & Hygiene Certificate I was aware of the importance of detail. My number one priority was to make the guests feel comfortable so they could relax and have a problem free holiday.
VOLUNTEER TEACHER & ACTIVITY ASSISTANT September to December 2008
Shelter Children’s Rehabilitation Centre,
Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi
I taught basic English, Maths and Music to 3-13 year old orphans. I organized group music lessons and one-to-one vocal lessons. I worked in a team to organize a Fundraising Golf Tournament. I organized food aid supplies to Internally Displaced People’s Camps in Northern Kenya. I got involved in a project with Street Children, helping to get children back into education and also gave out clothes and food supplies. I visited children’s homes to give out free medical supplies from the government. I had considerable responsibility with all of these projects, particularly when giving medication to sick children and infants. After volunteering in East Africa and traveling in Eastern Europe, June 09, I have a much wider insight into different cultures and an understanding of different views beyond the western way of thinking. Volunteering and traveling independently has given me much confidence and energy for life.
My Qualifications
‘Associated Board of the Royal School of Music' December 2012
Vocal Performance Recital Diploma
‘Brighton Institute of Modern Music’ 9/10 - 6/11
Professional Songwriting Diploma - Distinction
‘Kent College Pembury’ 9/06 - 6/08 'A' Levels
Music B
English Literature B
History C
Leiths Food & Wine Certificate
Food & Hygiene Certificate
Grade 8 Singing - Distinction
Grade 7 Piano - Pass
‘Bedgebury School’ 9/03 - 7/06 GCSE's
English Literature B
English Language B
Double Science Awards BB
Maths C
French B
History A
Music A
Drama B
My Availability
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Morning | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Afternoon | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
After School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Evening | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Overnight | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Last Updated: 24/08/2023 |
My Fees
- Babysitting from £15.00 per hour
Nannying - With my experience and skills £15ph Net
My Documents
- UK Passport (added 15/07/2023)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Annabel. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk users and not of Childcare.co.uk. Parents must carry out their own checks and references on childcare providers to ensure that they are completely happy before enaging in the use of their services.
Annabel worked with my family for 2 weeks before sending me an email telling me that looking after my children was too tiring for her and that she wouldn’t come the following day as planned. She left without notice, putting me in a difficult situation as I work. I’ve asked her everyday is everything was ok and she has always answered yes. She wasn’t honest to talk with me about the situation or just give me few days notice. Highly disappointing.
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