MEET NANNY: GILLIAN W.
Full-time - San Francisco, Marin
“Fostering a loving environment is key for growth and development. This means providing emotional support, encouragement, & guidance to help children build their self-esteem, and social skills, & support their overall growth.”
ABOUT ME
Neighborhood/Area: North Beach, SF or Mill Valley in Marin County
Experience: 7 years of nanny experience, 2 years of Family assistant experience, experience with ADHD and ASD children
Compensation: $45-$50 / hr
Preferred Schedule: M-F 8-5, the more hours the better
Hello! I’m Gillian. I would describe myself as an outdoorsy gal with a passion for rock climbing & surfing. I am a certified herbalist & also love to cook and experiment around with art (painting & weaving) I became a nanny after working at a surf camp as an instructor & absolutely fell in love with the high energy & love for life and learning that children express so well! Imagination play, getting dirty, and coming up creative activities are some of my favorite parts of being a nanny, I love to play! I am also highly organized and efficient. I believe as a nanny, your role encompasses all parts of helping a family run more smoothly such as doing things like errands, light household cleaning & laundry, and simply helping out in any way I can. I have done more hybrid roles in the last two years (house management & family assistance) along with childcare. I love the dynamic possibilities this allows me to have & use my own creative ideas to make things more seamless & adapt to the family’s needs simultaneously.
MY BELIEFS AS A GENUINE NANNY
I believe... Safety & well-being is of utmost importance. I always prioritize safety, health, and happiness above everything else.
I believe... Fostering a loving environment is key for growth and development. This means providing emotional support, encouragement, & guidance to help children build their self-esteem, and social skills, & support their overall growth.
I believe... Open communication & collaboration allows everyone in the household to thrive. This allows us as adults to provide consistency in parenting styles, routines, and the ability to address any concerns or challenges that may arise.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A NANNY?
Children have a zest for life that often gets lost in adulthood. I find so much joy in seeing the world through their eyes & supporting them as they grow into the people they’re supposed to be! As a nanny, I have the opportunity to make a positive impact on a child's life by providing them with a nurturing environment, educational experiences, and emotional support. Helping children develop important life skills and witnessing their progress is incredibly rewarding. I have also built so many strong lovely relationships through nannying. The bonds with the families is perhaps the most fulfilling aspect of being a nanny.
PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY, STRENGTHS,
WORK ETHIC, AND VALUES:
I would describe myself as having a warm and nurturing personality. I have a genuine love for children and feel that I am able to create a safe and loving environment for them. This requires a lot of patience and understanding. Sometimes life can be unpredictable & chaotic. It’s important to have a support system in the home that models patience, understanding, and emotional intelligence. Learning how to navigate emotions and find constructive solutions is how we can make these difficult moments teach us valuable lessons. While I would say that I am very playful & imaginative, I am also extremely responsible and reliable. I take my job seriously & always strive to be punctual, dependable, and accountable. I also find it extremely important (and fun!) to brainstorm stimulating activities. I am energetic and imaginative, & coming up with fun and educational games, crafts, and outings are some of my favorite parts of working with kids. I am an effective communicator, both with children and parents. Like I said previously, I take my job as a nanny seriously & find that while I love to be close with families and be a part of the family, I also maintain a professional work ethic. Respecting confidentiality & boundaries, allows me to provide the best care possible.
WHAT ARE YOUR DISCIPLINE PHILOSOPHY AND CHILD-REARING VALUES?
Gentle parenting is the philosophy and approach that I most align with. It’s child-rearing that emphasizes empathy, mutual respect, and positive discipline. I’ve seen firsthand how it promotes emotional intelligence, and fosters cooperation rather than relying on punishment or rewards. The number one word that comes to mind is respect. Children are individuals with their own feelings, thoughts, and needs. Their autonomy is of utmost importance. Empathy and understanding & positive communication allow adults and children to find solutions together and teach problem-solving skills rather than resorting to yelling, shaming, or harsh discipline. Positive discipline techniques include setting clear boundaries, redirecting behavior, offering choices, and using natural consequences rather than punishments.
