Bridget R. › SmartSitting

Family Application

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I am currently studying at New York University to earn my master’s degree in Social Work. On top of classes and an internship, I choose to spend my extra time working as a child caretaker. I have been a babysitter since I was 14 years old, and spending time with children is a true enjoyment for me. When working with a family, I aim to inspire confidence in parents that their child/children are well tended to, while providing a safe and fun environment for the children.

Born and raised in northern New Jersey, I attended Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, where I studied History and French. One semester, I studied abroad in Paris, which was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. My final two years at F&M, I volunteered and interned at a non-profit agency as a child facilitator to a boy with Autism. After graduating, I was a part-time nanny to a family with two toddlers in New Jersey as well as a part-time executive assistant to the CEO of a public relations firm. Thus, I am an expert at organization and time management. The following summer, I worked at a camp in Washington, D.C., for 8 to 10-year-old boys on the Autism spectrum. I also worked at a camp for adolescents with varying mental disabilities and physical handicaps. September 2010 began my first year in graduate school, which included a year as an intern at a preschool in Harlem, NY, where I functioned as a play therapist for children with behavioral issues. My hobbies include running (I ran a half-marathon in May and am toying with the idea to train for a full marathon!), reading, enjoying the beach in summer and skiing in the winter, and exploring the city with friends.

Education

New York University, expected May 2012

Candidate for M.S.W.

Franklin & Marshall College, 2009

B.A. in History, Minor in French

American University of Paris, fall 2007 semester abroad

Childcare experience:

1 year, babysitter for newborns of several families in Manhattan
1 year, intern as play therapist at a preschool in Harlem, NY
1 year, part-time nanny to a family with 2 toddlers in Peapack, NJ
2.5 years, intern/facilitator to children with severe Autism or Asperger's Syndrome
4 years, babysitter to neighborhood families in NJ

Availability:

Monday and Thursday: 6pm - midnight
Friday and Saturday: 3pm - midnight
Saturday: 3pm - midnight
Sunday: 3pm - 8pm

Long-term availability:

Available until June 2012.

I will be SmartSitting while...

Taking classes and interning at NYU Medical Center as part of my second and final year in graduate school for social work at NYU.

My childcare expertise lies in working with...

Children and pre-teens with mental disabilities (i.e., on the Autism spectrum; I have also cared for a teenager with cerebral palsy); other ages/types of children with which I have the most experience are newborns and pre-schoolers.

Activities and skills I love to teach and share with children:

I am proficient in reading, writing, and speaking French but can no longer consider myself fluent. I enjoy sports such as soccer, baseball, and running, and a favorite hobby of mine that I love to share is scrapbooking. I have always enjoyed reading and have many children's literature favorites that I am very happy to pass on.

Most memorable childcare experience:

From September 2009 through April 2010, I was a part-time nanny to a family with a 4 year old boy and a two year old girl. This was my first experience working for a family several days a week for an extended period of time, and I had never had a nanny as a child. I was pleasantly surprised by how closely the family and I bonded! The children were half Korean and taught me some Korean words. In turn, I taught them some French words and songs.

My favorite ritual with them was playing dress-up and rock band, when we would make a pretend stage and make up songs with our improvised instruments. However, my most memorable experience was the day we turned a boring, rainy morning inside into a rain parade! We put on raincoats and rainboots and led a parade through the puddles in their driveway, while singing a song about rain which they loved.

In 5 years, I hope to be...

Working as a clinical social worker (doing individual and family counseling/therapy) in a hospital, such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering, in the pediatric unit.