Neil

Hi! I’m Neil, and I’ve been a substitute preschool teacher’s aide for 3 years, working in preschools throughout the county with children 6 weeks through 5 years. In just the past 18 months, I’ve worked 7 months specifically with infants and toddlers! Unlike some sitters, I’m male- and that’s a positive thing in a daddy and a grandpa; why should it be considered any differently in a sitter? I’m older, but that’s what experience looks like. With it comes mature judgement, no drama, and a fully developed sense of responsibility, characteristics you’ll want in a sitter. I began babysitting for friends and neighbors when I was 10, continuing through my teens and into college. I also nannied a 6 month old baby for a summer when I was 16, and taught a 2&3 year olds Sunday School class for a year. Later, I worked on an inpatient pediatric hospital ward with children from newborn to age 12. And for 29 years, I taught Sunday School or Children’s Church in our Baptist church for classes ranging from Kindergarten to 6th Grade. My wife and I have been married for 41 years. Together, we raised our four babies to adults, and often care for our four grandchildren as well. The oldest is 10, and the youngest is just 19 months old. I find that babies and small children warm to me quickly and feel safe when I’m with them or holding them. I think they sense the daddy and the grandpa in me. I’m a calm, quiet person, and that combined with a gentle reassuring voice puts them at ease. When they need a little extra, I’ll rock them, walk them, sing quietly to them- whatever it takes to comfort them. Two of my greatest priorities in childcare are nurturing an early love of reading and helping children to develop good character. I love reading to children, and I bring a special bag of books with me when I come. I make stories come alive, reading expressively and creating unique voices for each character! I’m up to date on my childhood vaccines and boosters to work in the schools. I don’t smoke, am comfortable with pets, and I have a reliable car and clear DMV records check. I’m Pediatric CPR and First Aid certified, and am a former Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN.) I’ve also completed 88 semester hours of college. I love my job as a preschool teacher’s aide, and hope to qualify as a preschool teacher myself in the near future. I look for home childcare opportunities when assignments from my school staffing agency slow down, and for extra earnings for special purposes. I would consider a long-term arrangement as well, should I find a family with whom I feel really well matched.