Nurturing, Imaginative Nanny for Toddler in Orinda (FT)

Description

Start: early/mid September

A warm, thoughtful Bay Area family is seeking a nurturing and proactive nanny with light house manager responsibilities. The ideal candidate is a career childcare professional who brings genuine warmth, patience, and a deep understanding of toddler development. We are looking for someone who sees themselves not just as a caregiver, but as a partner and inspirer in a child's earliest years.

This is a role for someone who loves music, movement, and imaginative play; who naturally integrates learning into everyday moments; and who brings calm, attentiveness, and joy to the work. The family values open communication, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the child’s growth and well-being.

The position is live-out with a tentative schedule of Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM–3:00 PM. Additional date night hours may occasionally be needed with advance notice. Domestic travel is optional and infrequent. A family vehicle will be made available for transportation needs.

The Household
• One child, age 2, who is a strong communicator and loves songs, exploration, and engagement
• Mom works from home, so candidate must be comfortable working in a space where a parent is present
• Grandparents visit periodically and will be involved with the child
• Golden Retriever is present in the home. No pet care required, but dog comfort is a must
• The family follows thoughtful hygiene practices — including changing into indoor shoes/clothing and washing hands upon returning home — and asks the nanny to do the same

A Note on Family Philosophy
The family does not follow one specific formal approach, but is drawn to the spirit of Reggio Emilia (exploration and expression through art, play, and inquiry), Montessori (self-directed learning and problem-solving), and attachment-based care (responsiveness, closeness, and emotional attunement). They are looking for a nanny who shares a deep respect for children's natural curiosity, emotional lives, and developmental pace — someone who sees this work as a meaningful profession and a genuine calling.

Experience Requirements

• Fluency in English (strong communication skills are essential)

Educational Requirements

• Fluency in English (strong communication skills are essential)
• Fluency in Chinese (nice to have)
• Coursework, training, or a degree in child development or early childhood education is a strong plus — as is experience in a high-quality preschool setting

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's license and clean driving record; comfortable using the family's vehicle for transportation
• Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certified
• Vaccinations: annual flu, Tdap, MMR, Varicella + willing to complete: Hepatitis B clearance, TB clearance, and H. Pylori breath test prior to or shortly after start (the family will support the cost of the H. Pylori test and any needed treatment)
• Able to lift and carry a toddler and associated gear throughout the day
• Committed to the family's hygiene protocols: changing into indoor clothing/shoes upon arrival, thorough handwashing, no perfume or strongly fragranced products
• Willing to promptly disclose illness symptoms, fever, cold sores, or exposure to contagious illness
• NDA required; strict confidentiality regarding the family's privacy, schedule, address, and personal information
• No personal phone use while caring for child, except for urgent matters or childcare-related communication

Qualifications

• Career professional nanny with hands-on experience caring for toddlers of a similar age in a private home setting
• Strong understanding of toddler development milestones, common safety risks, and age-appropriate supervision
• Genuinely loving, patient, warm, and emotionally attuned; able to follow a child's cues and respond rather than react
• Highly safety-conscious with the ability to provide attentive, active supervision at all times
• Calm and composed in challenging or unexpected situations; gentle and respectful in behavior management
• Proactive and self-directed — brings ideas and energy without needing to be prompted, but also reads the room and supports family time gracefully
• Collaborative communicator who keeps parents informed and implements feedback thoughtfully
• Naturally organized, clean, and detail-oriented
• Comfortable with everyday household and childcare apps: Baby Connect, Google Calendar, scheduling tools, messaging, location sharing, and similar
• No dog allergies; comfortable around a friendly Golden Retriever

Responsibilities

Childcare Responsibilities, Development & Activities
• Plan and lead age-appropriate indoor and outdoor activities including reading, music, imaginative play, arts and crafts, and enrichment outings
• Take child to classes and activities in the mornings during the week
• Arrange visits to parks, libraries, museums, playgrounds, and other local enrichment destinations
• Engage child in conversation, singing, and interactive play throughout the day

Meals & Feeding
• Prepare and serve healthy, toddler-appropriate meals and snacks; clean up afterward
• Batch prepare toddler-friendly items (e.g., meatballs) approximately once per week
• Strictly follow all food safety and allergy protocols — child has an egg allergy; no new foods or ingredients may be introduced without explicit parental approval

Daily Care & Routines
• Support routines around naps, meals, diapering, and potty training as applicable (note: child falls asleep and naps independently)
• Maintain a clean, organized, and well-stocked play area, bedroom, stroller, and car
• Periodically sanitize play mats, shower stand, and toys; handle child-related laundry
• Communicate proactively with parents about meals, naps, activities, developmental observations, and any health or safety concerns

Light House Manager Responsibilities
• Grocery shopping and putting groceries away; maintain a running replenishment list for household and toddler items
• Process straightforward returns and handle occasional local pickup runs (errands may be run during nap time when a parent is home)
• Keep the pantry, refrigerator, freezer, and kitchen cabinets organized
• Walk the dog when time and capacity allow, after primary childcare responsibilities are complete