My Summary
About Me
Self-employed Nanny. Limited availability from January 2025. Please ask for more details.
I do have some availability at present to take on babysitting roles on both weekday evenings and weekends.
I have worked in various roles with children and their families for over 30 years. I have always lived in Somerset and its surrounding areas and own my own home in Wells. I enjoy the outdoors, have travelled extensively, partake in horse-riding and walking and enjoy reading and musical theatre. I have an older daughter and two young grandchildren. I have worked in a voluntary capacity alongside my full time role working with the Sibling Team at The Children’s Hospice South West. I have also volunteered for a mentoring service, working with vulnerable children and their families and been the Production Manager of a Community Youth Theatre. I have a DBS and a Paediatric first aid certificate as well as a full driving license and use of my own car if needed.
My Experience
During the last 6 years my professional focus has been back in industry as a Nanny caring for children from 6 months to seven years old. These have been sole charge, full time roles, live in/live out, and have also included the organisation for extensive periods of both UK and worldwide travel for a busy family in the film industry. I currently have the responsibility of taking charge of all the usual day to day planning and organising to ensure that all of my charges needs are met, working flexibly to ensure that my employers needs are met as well.
Prior to this I was working as a Further Education Course Co-ordinator, Personal Tutor and Lecturer, specifically within the Care and Early Years department of a local college. I previously ran my own ‘Outstanding’ childcare business for 9 years, as well as 11 years working as a private Nanny for various families where I have had experience of working with multiple siblings, adoption and also twins.
I have worked for the Local Authority as the North Somerset Young Carers Schools Worker and in a Family Support Worker role.
For 10 years I worked at Weston College progressing from learning support assistant to Lecturer and Course Co-ordinator for the BTEC Early Years courses. These roles have given me a vast experience of working with a diverse cohort of young people, guiding and supporting them to be strong childcare practitioners themselves.
However 6 years ago a nannying opportunity came along which made me reconsider teaching for being back in industry looking after children once again.
My Qualifications
Diploma in Education and Training Level 5 Weston College, 2017
Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector Level 4 Weston College, 2013
Award in Supporting People who have a Learning Difficulty Level 3 Weston College, 2012
Psychology GCSE B Weston College, 2009
Mentoring Young People Level 3 2009
Certificate in Counselling Level 2 2008
Certificate in Homebased Childcare Level 3 2002
English Language O Level Rossholme School, 1987
Drama O Level Rossholme School, 1987
My Availability
Limited availability from January 2025, but please contact me for up to date availability.
I do have some availability for babysitting week nights and weekends.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Evening | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 14/12/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Nannying from £17.00 per hour (gross)
- Babysitting from £12.00 per hour
£15 per hour
My Documents
- First Aid Certificate: Paediatric First Aid (added 06/08/2024)
- DBS Check (added 04/12/2020)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Karen. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk users and not of Childcare.co.uk. Parents must carry out their own checks and references on childcare providers to ensure that they are completely happy before enaging in the use of their services.
We have used Karen on an adhoc basis for a number of months now and intend to continue on a more regular basis going forward.
From our very first enquiry Karen was very quick to respond and has continued excellent communication with us.
Our 7 month old bonded with Karen very quickly and really enjoys their time together - Karen always try’s to get plenty of time outside together.
Karen is always keen to support with washing, cooking, sorting clothes, toys etc for our son - We can always tell when Karen has been as the playroom, bedroom and kitchen are always tidier than we left them!
Overall
by
Win
about
Karen
on 26/11/2024
Response by
Karen
on 26/11/2024:
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. Very much looking forward to continuing to work with you all.
I am really glad we found Karen after looking and failing to find an ad-hoc baby sitter / nanny who could meet our needs as and when we need some extra help.
Karen is professional, hands on and ‘on it.’ She always does what is asked and follows our wishes as parents. Karen has allowed us to have our first evening out since having our child and future ad hoc evenings are planned. Karen look’s after our daughter really well whilst we are away. She even does little unexpected jobs and leaves the house clean and tidy for when we come back home which is a great relief.
Karen has never cancelled and if she can’t make a date due to commitments offers flexibility with alternative dates.
Karen has the necessary experience, expertise and training. This is her career and she takes her role very seriously which is important to us when leaving our child in someone else’s capable hands.
Our child is comfortable being looked after by Karen and that’s really important to us and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to other parents/carers.
Thank you.
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Overall
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Cleanliness
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Communication
by
Mamma123
about
Karen
on 03/11/2024
Response by
Karen
on 26/11/2024:
Thank you for such a lovely review which I very much appreciate. Looking forward to seeing you all for our next session.
We connected with Karen after seeing her Childcare profile. We had high expectations and found it hard to find someone who ticked all the boxes but Karen has really risen to the challenge.
She is professional, reliable (even at short notice) and brilliant with the children. She listens and treats our 2 preschool children as individuals, whilst also respecting our wishes as parents. She's never cancelled, her timekeeping is good and she's patient with us as parents whilst we navigate plans around very busy lives.
We have high standards and one of the best things about Karen is that this is her career, not a short term money maker. We were impressed by her extensive and continuous professional development portfolio, which reflects her attitude towards her work. She's so well prepared and you can tell this is really her passion.
Karen has adapted well to the needs of 2 toddlers, whilst also giving us the faith and confidence to care for them as we would ourselves. The children are fond of her and we are glad that we found her.
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Overall
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Communication
by
SheptonM
about
Karen
on 31/10/2024
Response by
Karen
on 26/11/2024:
Thank you so much for such kind words. It’s a pleasure to be able to assist you with your childcare needs.
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This profile has been produced from information provided to us by the user. We have not verified or confirmed the accuracy of any of the information and members should undertake their own vigorous checks and references. Please ensure you read our Safety Advice and information on how to Check Childcare Provider Documents.
