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 Nanny Spotlight
Describe your background and education in the childcare/doula realm and beyond. My introduction into childcare came in my mid-twenties when I became a part-time nanny for a family in Portland. When I began to care for these two children, they were 4 months old and 5 years old and I worked with this family for three years. It was while working with this family that I found my true calling and my career path in life. To me, it became obvious that I was meant to work with children in some respect. I began looking into early childhood education programs in the Portland area and found the AMI Montessori training center located in the city. After researching the Montessori philosophy, I found that I was already applying most of the fundamental theories with the two children I was caring for. It was such a perfect fit that I began the application process without any hesitation. After being interviewed, I was accepted into the program and I immediately enrolled in the one year training program. At the same time, I also was able to gain my Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Loyola University in Baltimore, MD.
Since graduating I have been a lead Montessori teacher in a classroom for children ranging in ages from 2 ½ to 6 years old for the past five years. Along with teaching I have also continued to work with children one-on-one by being a Temporary Placement Nanny through A Nanny for U. Being able to continue my nanny work while also being a teacher has allowed me to have intimate one-on-one relationships with children. I love being able to spend a whole day with a child and experience each of the wonders that child has felt in the day.
I find it is both rewarding to work with a large group of children and also to be able to spend time with children one on one. There is a magic to be found in both situations. To be in the classroom and witness the empathy that a group of children shows to one another as they carry out their days is an incredible privilege. But to be able to share a day with just one or two children and dedicate all of my attention to just them is also decadent.
What is your favorite part about being a nanny? My favorite part about being a nanny is the moments that are unexpected. The moments when a child realizes that they can accomplish a new task all on their own and the joy they exude at realizing their new ability. The planned activities are always fun, but it is the unexpected joys and moments of pride that really make working with children such a heart warming experience. And I always feel so thrilled that the child wants to share these moments with me!
Describe your childcare philosophy. My Montessori training tends to exhibit itself in my childcare philosophy. I feel it is so important to help teach children how to do things for themselves and to allow them to feel the pride that comes from mastering new tasks. It is important to gently show children how to do new things and then continue to have patience to show children over and over again how to do new things until they are able to do them on their own. A child's world moves much slower than an adults and as a nanny it is fundamental to slow down to the child's pace. By slowing down and working with children with love and kindness a deep trust is built with the child. This trust allows the child to grow and blossom as an independent individual and to develop into a compassionate individual full of empathy towards the rest of humanity.
What are your hobbies and passions outside of being a nanny? I love to travel!!!! Close to home or far off places all call for me to explore them. Now that I am a new mom, I can hardly wait to continue this passion with my new family. When I was growing up, every summer my family would take a road trip to a National Park that we had not yet been to. I am looking forward to continuing this tradition next summer when we take a trip to Glacier National Park. I also enjoy being around my friends. Nothing is better then a warm summer Saturday evening spent with friends BBQing and catching up. It makes the heart grow warm!
An interesting fact about Cynthia: I can clap one handed and have been able to ever since I can remember. On the flip side, I can only snap my right fingers, not my left.
What corporate clients say about Cynthia and our event nannies:
" To be able to have fully qualified nannies at our event and plan it from across the country was an amazingly easy process. The parents appreciated being able to enjoy our closing banquet knowing their children were also enjoying a special occasion of their own. The nannies were very friendly and made the event fun."
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