Ellen H.

Education

Connecticut College,
B.A. in Film Studies
B.A. in Music

Professional Childcare Experience

After-School Sitter
New York, NY, 10/21 - 06/22
Girl, aged 9 and boy, aged 12

Part-Time Summer Sitter
New York, NY, 06/21 - 09/21
One girl, aged 4

After-School Sitter
New York, NY, 11/17 - 10/19
One girl, age 8

Summer Filmmaking Camp Counselor
Annapolis, MD, 08/14 - 08/17
Ages 11 through 18

Assistant Summer Swim Coach
Annapolis, MD, 05/13 - 08/15
Ages 4 through 16

Full-Time Summer Nanny
Annapolis, MD, 06/13 - 08/15
Two girls, ages 7 and 9

After-School Sitter & Tutor
Annapolis, MD, 09/11 - 05/12
Boy, aged 10 and girl, aged 13

Other Experience

Executive Assistant to Documentary Filmmakers
New York, NY, 06/19 - Present

Film Production Coordinator
New York, NY, 05/18 - 05/19

Freelance Film Production Assistant
New York, NY, 10/17 - 04/18

College Writing Center Tutor
New London, CT, 12/14 - 05/17

Film Festival Print Traffic Coordinator (Seasonal)
Annapolis, MD, 03/15 - 03/17

About me

Born and raised in Annapolis, MD, I was a very active, imaginative child. I have two brothers and we have been a tight-knit trio since childhood. I was very involved in music, playing the violin and piano, and singing in a youth chorus. I also played a number of sports, including ice hockey and swimming. I attended Connecticut College, and graduated in 2017 with a B.A. in Film Studies and Music. Following college, I moved to New York City, and I have spent the last several years here working in the film industry.

I have extensive experience caring for children of all ages, from occasional babysitting to full-time nannying. I have worked with families with a number of unique needs, ranging from ADD/ADHD and learning differences, to sensory processing and high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. These experiences have given me a unique skillset. I’ve worked with kids on impulse control, regulating emotions, setting boundaries, social skills, identifying triggers and developing appropriate coping mechanisms. I am familiar with the importance of maintaining a structured routine, building in adequate transition time, prioritizing tasks, and communicating appropriately. I also have a background in tutoring (from elementary school homework help to tutoring writing and reading comprehension skills at the college level), as well as experience with virtual learning. In addition, I have experience working with large groups of kids, as both a camp counselor and a swim coach.

The primary reason I love working with children is that I feel as if every child I have worked with has given me a new perspective. Children have a uniquely honest and objective view of the world around them, and I believe it is very important to allow them room to explore that world, particularly through imaginative play. I would describe my approach as a babysitter as “child-led.” I aim to create a stable, structured environment where the children I care for feel comfortable expressing themselves. I believe in encouraging creativity, curiosity and conversation, because every child has something important to say, and I want them to know that I’m listening.


I have professional child care experience with...

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    Toddlers
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    Preschoolers
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    School-aged (K-5)
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    Preteen
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    Teenagers
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    Twins
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    Multiples
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    Special Needs

In 5 years, I hope to be...

I would like to have a graduate degree. After spending the past several years working in the film industry, I am pursuing a career shift. My long-term interests include child development, early intervention, community-based social work, equal access to education, and organizations providing youth and family services.

Activities & skills I love to teach & share with children...

I’m big believer in staying active. This is very important to me in my personal life, and something I aim to share with the kids I care for. I try to emphasize not just “getting exercise for the sake of exercise” but finding and engaging in meaningful physical activity that encourages a healthy lifestyle (for example, walking instead of taking the subway when reasonable, and playing iSpy along the way). On the flip side, I also feel strongly about the importance of cerebral activities, and “down time.” I love reading aloud with kids of all ages. I find it instills a love of books before younger kids are able to read on their own, and helps improve comprehension, vocabulary and attention span for older kids, even if they are already capable of reading on their own. Lastly, I am very musical person and I love finding ways to incorporate music into everyday activities. For example, letting a child pick which song they want to listen to can give them a sense of agency if they are feeling like they don’t have any control. Playing classical music in the background during meals or quiet play can create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, which I have found very beneficial at past positions.