Babysitter and Nanny - LAURA & JARED C. (User #454910)

Our services have Currently Ended due to Laura moving to Laguna Niguel 

Hello, our names are Laura and Jared!  Laura is 18 and has been working with children for quite a long time; from "reading buddies", to being a Kinder garden teacher's assistant in 8th grade known as "Ms. Laurie", to even babysitting her neighbor's daughter with ADHD for awhile until they moved. She also used to face paint for free and as a job at private parties.  Laura has 2 brothers and a older sister.  One brother is older and one is younger.  Jared is 17 and has a younger brother and a twin sister.  We have a pretty well developed system, but we are very adaptable to your child's needs and your typical schedule for your child.  Here's our typical schedule plan on a normal day:

1. make child a snack and let her/him unwind from school (about 15 minutes to settle in)
2. next we usually work on homework together
3. once homework is completed we play together and do something energetic or something outside like playing basketball or drawing with chalk.  I like to have the kids out at least 30 minutes

Laura likes to let kids embrace their creative side, so she will usually have a craft for them to do if they like and she will always bring the Fun Bag.  "In the Fun Bag I bring new toys or board games, the good old Disney movies, play dough, children books, chalk, just anything the kids don't have at home.  I like to keep the children entertained and mix things up!" :) says Laura :)

 Extra Services We Provide that ARE included in the Price:

• wash whatever dishes We've used
• clean up any mess we and the kids have created together
• meals (and snacks)
• 2 kids, any more than that have an extra charge of $5 an hour per an extra kid because of the additional stress and responsibility, please no more than 4 total kids, exceptions are sometimes made)

Our Preferences:  

We prefer to work in our clients' homes but other arrangements may be made.  We are most comfortable (and have the most fun with) children in kinder garden to about third grade.  We will gladly work with any kid over 3rd grade but we don't usually work with babies.  We work well with both girls and boys.  Laura can drive the kids places but prefers not to, therefore, she charges extra.  This rate constantly changes due to the raising gas prices so we can negotiate these terms when we meet.

What I (Laura) Learned & Where I Learned It:

I have learned the best Baby sittings techniques from my Grandma and my best babysitter, but I have improved on some of their ideas and made my own.  I will always not just watch the children play but actually join them.  My best babysitter used to actually get on the floor with me and play in my doll house.  One time she even made a paper chain with me that went from the top of my two-story home to the bottom of the stairs.  So if you son loves playing on the floor with his dump truck I will be right by his side with the other truck.  My Grandma was the one that taught me about the wonderful world of crafts. 

Extra Services NOT included in the price:

• Driving (price depends driving distance and current gas prices)
• Party Planning (depends on how big the party is and what you want me to do- do you just want me to do the invitations and decorations, or the whole party?)
• Face painting for a party $35 an hour (a very good deal, today's going rates are around the 100's for a visit) but I will only do this deal for families I know and babysitt for.  I use the top face painting products from snazaroo which are hypo-allergenic to keep your kids safe.  OR $3 a child (must predetermine the amount of kids before the actual party)
• clean the toilet $5 each
• whole bathroom sink, toilet, mirror, shower/tub $15 (depends on if I have enough time to this, the children always come first) 

We charge two babysitters for the price of one, that way the children get more attention and supervision while one of us cooks or cleans.  We have learned that this plan also works great with two kids that usually get jealous of each other because now they can both have attention at the same time, resulting in fewer fights.  We work hard for our money and try to make this more of a fun time and a long relationship for all of us rather than your typical babysitters.  We actually interact with our kids rather than just watch them play.  We will both be readily waiting for an interview, Thanks! NOTE: Schedule~our general availability for BOTH of us is filled out, however, one of us may be able to come on some of the "unavailable" days if you don't mind only having one sitter. Our availability is subject to change.  Although our schedule says on a certain times and days we are unavailable we could possibly come just ask and we will look at that week's schedule rather than a month overview.