|
As a single mother, I was lucky to be surrounded by a great support structure (I share a household with my parents). However, I was also extra-lucky to find childcare that went the extra mile. In that context, I experienced excellent childcare from the parent’s perspective, and I remember appreciating the approach of “it takes a village to raise a child“ on several levels.
In today’s fast-paced world, it has become increasingly difficult for parents to strike a balance between professional commitments and providing personalised care and attention that children so desperately need to grow their confidence, resilience and positive outlook. I remember the relief knowing that my son was not just being looked after, but that he was being challenged, listened to, stimulated, invited to consider new activities, fine-Motor skills, and new ways of solving little problems (yes, I am a Pinterest-mom); the childcare I have on mind goes far beyond baby-sitting.
Previous families that I have worked with can testify to my ability to establish trust and respect-based connection with children. Au pair work, to me, entails a holistic and hands-on approach to childcare. Accompanying children, and sometimes guiding them, in their learning and growth, introducing them to exciting craft and engineering skills, arranging educational and recreational activities, coordinating schedules, baking, inventing, library-visiting, play-acting, story-telling and all kinds of lesson planning for homework/ academic growth all make up what I have in mind when I think „au pair. “
|