Wonderful nanny starting in-home daycare in Northern Virginia/Alexandria

[Anonymous]

Hi Moms!

My wonderful nanny of over a year will be starting her own in-home daycare.

Some information about my nanny Zahida:

I have one son (now 15 months) who has been cared by Zahida since he was 3 months old. He was a colicky baby and a tough napper/sleeper and Zahida provided me, a first time mom, with so much support until he grew out of his fussy phase. She also managed to get him on a regular nap schedule which I was never able to accomplish! I don't have family nearby to rely on and, even when I had to have emergency surgery, she was right there like family to help me and my husband with extra hours caring for our son.

I interviewed about a half dozen nannies and associated nanny shares in the area before I joined the share with Zahida and another family. She was the only one that had references that would go on and on about how great she was - one was from a family that employed her for 10 years and another was from a family that employed her for 7 years.

She is kind, loving, smart and seems to know mine and my son's needs without us even asking. She is a U.S. citizen and fluent in English. She has over 20 years experience as a nanny. She is also a lot of fun and loves taking the kids outside, which is why my son and the other family's daughter in our share love to be around her so much. The neighbors and other nannies in the neighborhood tell us all the time what a good and attentive nanny she is and some have even asked to share her!

Information about her daycare:

- Very low ratio of children to caretakers – she is looking to cap the number of children to 4 kids and she has a 26-year old daughter that will assist her. (Her daughter is also great with my son and has helped care for him a few times - he thinks she is his "playmate"

- Her home is about halfway between Old Town and Mt. Vernon, off of Route 1. Her home is extremely clean (we have been there on a number of occasions) and she has plenty of indoor space for the children as well as a fenced-in backyard.

- She can provide the option of preparing wholesome, home-cooked meals or the families can bring their own food.

- Activities will be tailored to suit the age of the child, but they will include daily music time, story time, outdoor play time (weather permitting) and indoor play time.

- She is looking for children ranging in age from newborn – 5 years old.

- She has flexibility on the hours, ranging from as early as 6 am – 6 pm.

- She has received Infant/Child CPR certifications in the past and is currently signed up to renew her certificate.

- As mentioned above, she can provide 4 references, including myself and the family that we share her with and 2 families that previously employed her (1 for 10 years, another for 7 years).

She is looking to start January 28.

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Please call Zahida if you want more information at [phone] or email me at [e-mail] and I can answer any questions by email or provide a reference by phone.

[Anonymous]

Will you send your child to her daycare and, if not, why?