I have been babysitting for 20 years and it is my favorite way to work with kids. I recently moved to a new apartment where I can comfortably host multiple kids and have created a wonderland of crafting and creative play. When I babysit at a client’s home, my approach is to bring a “Miss Birdy Bag” full of craft supplies. Unless a parent has asked for specific activities (such as piano practice or time outside), I allow kids to direct play and projects, all the while facilitating conversations and experiences that teach social-emotional and executive skills. When possible, I take kids out and about to explore the city, visiting museums, navigating the public transit system, and poking around fun shops.
When I am babysitting I still take on the role of a teacher. Every experience is an opportunity to learn: when making crafts we learn about persistence and healthy responses to mistakes, when playing pretend we learn about empathy and consequences, and on the subway we learn about tolerance and sharing spaces. I also use many daily experiences to practice fundamental skills: at a fun shop we practice wanting things and not getting them and moving on, when playing group games we practice prioritizing kindness and pro-social communication, and when we play games like tickle-stop we practice establishing and respecting boundaries.
Rates
# of Kids | Weekdays | Weekends (starting Fridays at 5pm) |
1 | $30/hr | $35/hr |
2 | $35/hr | $40/hr |
3 | $40/hr | $45/hr |
*** $100 minimum per day ($120 on weekends) ***
Popular Activities
- Sewing stuffed animals
- Making dollhouses
- Making costumes
- Face painting
- Building forts
- Writing stories
- Baking/cooking (that’s a Minecraft cake)
- Making gifts
- Giant bubbles
I should also mention that I am an expert in smooth bedtimes.
Experience & Education:
- 20 years babysitting.
- 17 years teaching.
- 18 years working at summer camps and after school programs.
- Two years assistant teaching at Hunter Elementary.
- Eight years attending Hunter Elementary (foundation for divergent thinking skills).
- Six years attending Hunter High School (foundation for writing skills).
- Studied Education at Barnard College (Columbia University), and at SUNY New Paltz with a concentration in Math.
- Volunteered at Hogar de Vida, an orphanage in Alajuela, Costa Rica
- Link to my full CV