26-12-2011

The website is currently being reconfigured so will not be updated for the next month or so.

Welcome to Nanny Caroline's website. That's me!

Temporary Nanny / Proxy Parent / Childcare Consultant / Maternity Nanny

"In short Caroline is a gem.  She inspired total confidence in her abilities from day one, and the children clearly loved her.  We noted at an early stage how she always built them up, encouraging them constantly.  She always stayed calm no matter what the circumstances, and always spoke kindly to them."

Ever since I can remember I have loved looking after children, from my first babysitting job at the age of thirteen, up until now. With both parents being teachers (Mum specialised in 4&5 yr olds) many thought I would follow in their footsteps. However I chose to study History at the University of Hull whilst, during my holidays and gap year, building up my experience in childcare through babysitting and nannying. After leaving University I moved to France full time and continued work as a nanny before registering as a child minder in August 2000. As a registered child minder in France I undertook the obligatory 60 hour Child Development course (I actually did two extra modules as I found it hard to choose which ones to do, they were all so fascinating!)  Since 2004 I have been working solely as a temporary nanny. I now have a wealth of professional experience from working as a daily, live in, full time, part time, temporary nanny and reading widely around the subject.

 For additional, more specific information about my range of experience please see More about Nanny Caroline or Curriculum Vitae.

I have professional experience with children from the age of 4 days old upwards, and I am equally at ease working with newborns as with older children - their needs may differ but my approach remains the same, listen to the children, even if they are unable to 'speak', and remain calm and consistent.

" It is a measure of how highly we regard Caroline that, if the circumstances were different, we would employ her as our full time nanny.  We have no hesitation in recommending her, providing you don't need her when we do!"

I believe that children should make the most of their childhood, which is so precious. Their lives should be filled with joy and laughter, and experiences which will encourage their educational, social and emotional development - and perhaps most importantly let their individual character and imagination blossom.  I think that it is important to listen to children and to help them find the answers to the questions that they ask.  Children are curious by nature and this should be encouraged as, in my opinion, curiosity is the foundation of education.

I am always ready to get down on my hands and knees and play with the children, kicking the football or getting messy with them for example! I believe strongly that children benefit from structured play but also need time to play alone, to develop their own imagination and to learn to amuse themselves.

I also believe that children benefit from fair and consistent boundaries, that they should be kept safe and secure but not over protected, and that they should be included in decisions which effect them.

"Caring for and teaching children comes completely naturally to Caroline, and, added to this, her ability to set boundaries while at the same time fully allowing for development to take place makes her perfect for her job."