Hello, I'm Eliza! I'm the youngest of five children, and I often tell folks that becoming an auntie (at the age of 16) is the best "job" I ever got. Right from the start, I was besotted with my nieces and nephews, and my older siblings showed me how to care for kids in a safe, warm and playful manner. I continue to care in this way, honouring a child's individuality, abilities, and natural curiosities. Over the many years since then, I have worked as a live-in nanny, done loads of casual babysitting, and have even taught creative workshops to groups of children (a true joy in my career as a florist!). I have plenty of experience in preparing meals, doing school pick ups and completing bath and bedtime routines, and feel very comfortable working with newborn babies right through to teenagers. I consider working with children an earnest privilege, and I make a lot of effort to provide attentive, engaging, age-appropriate activities when sharing this time. I especially love being outdoors and exploring nature - I learn so much by watching kids interact with the natural world... bonus points if we have time to pack a picnic and build a fairy garden, or insect hotel! Time spent outside is a balm for both children and adults alike :) I am a passionate reader, and think there is so much value in helping others practice this wonderful skill. I will always be happy to sit with a child and listen to them read or work through homework. I am also a big believer in creative exploration - I have loads of crafty hobbies, and delight in sharing these with kids - creating collage, watercolour paintings, clay figures or even sculptures from the recycling pile... always being resourceful and using imagination to the full. You'd be amazed to see how an old pillowcase can be transferred into curtains to create a mobile puppet theatre - in almost no time at all! While interacting with children brings me innate joy, I understand that some parents may require additional support in the running of their home, and I am happy to provide this too. I am a keen cook, and able to help with or cover mealtimes - same goes with cleaning, tidying and caring for pets. I am respectful and responsible with a keen eye for detail, and am willing to help out with additional tasks around your home if need be. This is my first time using babysits - most of my babysitting work has come to me through friends and family on the mainland (I can provide some wonderful references!), and I am hoping to meet some families to work with here in Hobart. After working as a florist for over a decade, I have returned to study this year - studying horticulture, with an aim to gain accreditation in Therapeutic Horticulture once I have completed my course. My dream is to share my botanical knowledge with folks (especially children) in a creative, encouraging setting that empowers them to foster a caring and reciprocal relationship with the natural world. I am hoping to return to babysitting work while I study to support this career transition, and would ideally like to work regularly with one or two families so that we can have an opportunity to build routine and create a genuine bond :) That said, I am available for casual babysitting on occasion too! I have my RWVP card and am freshly up to date with First Aid and CPR (in a childcare / education setting). If you feel that I would be a good fit for your family, then I would dearly love to hear from you! With warmth, Eliza