Orlando

About Me

Hi, I’m Orlando!

Some of you might remember me under the name Jan. However, I changed my name recently for family related personal reasons, which you could read about down bellow.

I’m 34 years old, and I’ve been working in childcare for over 8 years. During this time, I’ve had the pleasure of looking after children of all ages—newborns, toddlers, school-age children, and teenagers. I started as an Au pair, and since then, I’ve taken on roles as a live-in and live-out Nanny, Babysitter, and Volunteer. It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I’m truly passionate about what I do. I also happened to be Santa at a school Christmas fayre.

- A Little About My Current Work -

At the moment, I work part-time, looking after a little girl born in late 2023 on Thursdays and Fridays.
I am now also employed by the Ealing Council to look after disabled children to give their parents some needed respite (Short breaks).
Besides that, I also offer flexible, ad hoc childcare services for families who need care on short notice. On top of that, I work as an emergency nanny for British Nannies, taking on bookings through Bright Horizons when needed.

- My Qualifications and Training -

I’ve worked hard to ensure that I have the right skills and knowledge to provide the best care I can. Some of my qualifications include: 

Level 3 Diploma in Childcare & Development

Level 3 Maternity Nurse Training (Babyem)

Paediatric First Aid

Certificates in Safer Sleeping for Babies, Understanding and Addressing Behaviour, and Level 2 Safeguarding Children

Right now, I’m studying online for a degree in Child Psychology, and I’m also doing courses on working with children with learning difficulties, and understanding adverse childhood experiences. My goal is to become a Play Therapist one day, so I can help support children’s emotional well-being even more, as well as aid recovery from childhood trauma the children affected by it.

I am also registered with OFSTED and a provider of Tax Free Childcare

- Experience with Special Needs and Disabilities -

Over the years, I’ve had the chance to care for children with various needs, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as well as other Special Educational Needs (SEN), and physical disabilities like cerebral palsy. I feel lucky to have had this experience, and I try my best to tailor my approach to meet each child’s unique needs.

- I Believe in Fun and Learning Through Play -

One thing I really enjoy is getting kids involved in fun and educational activities. Whether it’s exploring parks, swimming, or going to places like museums and zoos, I love showing kids the world around them. Indoors, I like doing arts and crafts, building forts, and getting creative with different games that help foster learning.

Who would have guessed that using play dough to stick together random objects is also a great educational activity? And yet it is. 

- Supporting Parents Along the Way -

While I spend most of my time with the children, I also care a lot about the parents I work with. I try to offer advice when I can, whether it’s about creating safe spaces for children or supporting mental health and resilience. It’s important to me that parents feel supported too, because I understand how challenging parenting can be.

I believe that parents don’t have to be perfect, but being involved and showing love and understanding is key to a child’s development. I focus on giving children the care they need when their parents can’t be around, but I also work to help parents create a healthy environment at home.

- Why I Do This -

My journey in childcare is deeply rooted in my own childhood experiences growing up in a home where emotional and physical abuse and neglect were a part of my everyday life. It wasn’t until I was older, reflecting on those years and learning more about child development and trauma, that I understood the true impact of it all. For a long time, I didn’t fully grasp the weight of it. As a child, you adapt, thinking this is just the way the world works, despite of feeling deep down that something might be off. But as I grew, I realized how much I had missed—not just feeling loved, but the sense of being valued and cared for, and having a solid foundation of healthy connections to build upon.

This is also the main reason for changing my name, to distance myself from my family after having left them when I was 19.

Those early experiences taught me the importance of every child feeling seen, heard, loved, and safe. They sparked my desire to be the caregiver I needed as a child—someone who could provide the understanding, stability, and warmth that helps children grow confident and secure. Even as a child, I found that younger children who struggled with connections would often gravitate toward me. They seemed to sense that I understood what it was like to feel excluded and unseen and that I could offer them comfort. Those moments shaped my empathy and drive to support children in meaningful ways.

Today, my work is about creating a safe space where children feel loved, understood, and free to be themselves. Whether I’m with them for a few hours or a few days, I strive to make each moment count. My aim is to help children develop trust, resilience, and a sense of worth, so they know they are valued and cherished.

For me, this work is more than a job—it’s a calling. Seeing a child’s smile, hearing their laughter, or watching them discover something new reminds me why I do this. My past shaped my dedication to making sure no child feels unseen or unloved and that every family I work with feels understood and supported.

- Let’s Talk! -

If you’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about your child’s well-being and wants to support your family, I’d love to chat. I’m here to help in any way I can.