Alannah De Barra
San Francisco,CA
Summary
Experienced and dedicated career nanny with over 19 years of childcare experience supporting children from newborn stage through early adolescence.
Known for creating calm, structured, and nurturing environments where children feel secure, confident, and encouraged to grow.
I value strong routines, outdoor play, kindness, and respect, and believe the early years are foundational in shaping a child's confidence and social development. I work closely with families to provide dependable, thoughtful care while supporting each child's individual needs, milestones, and personality.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Postpartum Doula
Various families
San Francisco, California
11.2025 - Current
- Specialized Newborn Care: Manage all aspects of overnight infant care for babies as young as a few days old.
- Nutritional Support: Expertly handle night feedings, whether providing bottle support or assisting with breastfeeding positioning
- Parental Support: Offer evidence-based guidance on newborn behavior, soothing techniques, and recovery, allowing parents to get much-needed rest.
Nanny
Miller Family
San Francisco, CA
08.2023 - 10.2025
- Provided full-time care for twin boys from 4 months old
- Managed specialized feeding including G-tube care and bottle introduction
- Supported transition to solids using baby-led weaning and purées
- Prepared daily meals and tracked nutrition for developmental needs
- Organized outings to music classes, Storytime, Academy of Sciences, zoo, and playgrounds
- Encouraged social interaction through daily neighborhood playdates
- Used positive reinforcement to teach sharing, patience, and polite communication
Nanny
Reda-Hughes Family
San Francisco, CA
07.2021 - 08.2023
- Provided full-time care for a 6-month-old boy until age 3, supporting his development and daily routines.
- Organized and attended enrichment activities, including gymnastics, art classes, soccer, storytimes, playgrounds, and museum visits across the city.
- Introduced and reinforced Gaelic language skills through songs, counting, and interactive play.
- Established and maintained a flexible nap schedule, accommodating indoor rest or stroller naps while out and about.
- Prepared nutritious breakfasts and lunches daily to fuel active, engaging days of learning and play.
Nanny
Kaey Family
San Francisco, CA
07.2017 - 09.2020
- Fully responsible for a three year old boy from when he was four months old, followed by full time care for both him and his sister starting from Four months
- Practice daily routines such as nap times, meal times, bedtime, etc.
- Community of other nannies who gather daily to socialize children of similar ages amongst each other
- Keep children fully entertained for the day, bringing them to educational classes, music classes, art classes, story times, zoo.
Nanny
Gallagher-Ward Family
San Francisco, CA
07.2015 - 07.2017
- Cared for a five month-old baby girl until she was two years old
- Assisted with sleep training; helped get her in a daily routine at nap times
- Walking or commuting to classes and outing all over the city Story times, Academy of Sciences, Zoo, Aquarium etc.
Nanny
The Sum-McDonald Family
San Francisco, CA
09.2014 - 06.2015
- Cared for a three month-old baby girl until she was one year old
- Assisted parents in introducing child to solid foods
- Kept to a feeding and nap time schedule at home for the first few months
- Daily walks to different parks in the neighborhood and met with other nannies who cared for babies of similar age for play dates
- Reading and lots of playtime while indoors
Nanny
The Dagenais Family
La Jolla, CA
03.2011 - 12.2013
- Cared for a six month-old baby girl until she was 3 years old, and her newborn brother until he was two years old
- We would spend a lot of time outdoors at parks and beaches, and enjoy going to the library and multiple play groups.
- Even though the mother was a work-from-home mom, I was fully responsible for all children at all times.
- Reading and arts and crafts are a big part of our day.
Nanny
The Bowman Family
Pacific Beach, CA
02.2011 - 11.2011
- Cared for 28 month-old girl twins part-time
- Prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner, bathed and helped potty train
- Regularly took girls out on outings to local parks and brought them to events such as birthday parties.
- The girls loved reading and playing imaginative games so I encouraged doing so during our time indoors.
Nanny
The Parietti Family
Ocean Beach, CA
09.2010 - 02.2011
- Cared for 5 month-old baby girl part-time
- Ensured that she kept to her feeding and nap time schedules
- Arranged age appropriate and social activities with other babies
- Went on daily walks to parks and libraries in the area
Nanny
The Levine-McKenzie Family
Madison, WI
08.2008 - 08.2010
- Cared for a five week-old baby boy until he was 2 years old. I also cared for his older sibling at times.
- Planned age appropriate activities
- Was given the opportunity to be with 5 week old newborn on a full-time basis. This included setting and sticking to all routines, while managing feeding and caring for the child at all times of the day (morning to night).
- Effectively spoke/taught Gaelic to child
Live-in Nanny
The Randall Family
Madison, WI
08.2007 - 08.2008
- Cared for two year-old girl
- Child was kept on a regular schedule for meals, bathtime, story time, bed time, etc.
- We enjoyed spending our days playing at parks, going to play groups, doing puzzles, art, reading, singing, and learning the alphabet.
- Effectively spoke/taught Gaelic to child
Education
Certificate - Hairdressing, Diploma for L'Oréal Color Keys Course
FAS Training Centre for the Further Education & Training Awards Council
Donegal, IrelandHigh School Diploma -
Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair (Gweedore Community School)
Gweedore, IrelandCertification - postpartum Doula care
Cornerstone Doula Training
San FranciscoVarious Childcare Work
Donegal, IrelandSkills
- Child development knowledge (infants through school age)
- Creating safe, nurturing environments
- Age-appropriate activity planning
- Emotional support and positive guidance
- Establishing routines and structure
- Encouraging independence and confidence
- Gentle discipline techniques
- Behaviour management
- Creative play and sensory activities
- Arts & crafts planning
- Outdoor and nature-based play
- Social skills development
- Language development support
- Play-based learning
- Bottle preparation and feeding
- Sleep routines and nap training
- Diapering and hygiene care
- Developmental milestone tracking
- Baby-led play and stimulation
- Transition support (weaning, potty training)
- Children’s meal preparation
- Light housekeeping related to children
- Schedule management
- Maintaining clean play areas
- Children’s meal preparation
- Light housekeeping related to children
- Laundry and organization
- Schedule management
- Packing for outings and activities
- Maintaining clean play areas
- Clear communication with parents
- Daily updates and reporting
- Reliability and punctuality
- Professional boundaries
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Problem-solving
Timeline
Postpartum Doula
Various families
11.2025 - Current
Nanny
Miller Family
08.2023 - 10.2025
Nanny
Reda-Hughes Family
07.2021 - 08.2023
Nanny
Kaey Family
07.2017 - 09.2020
Nanny
Gallagher-Ward Family
07.2015 - 07.2017
Nanny
The Sum-McDonald Family
09.2014 - 06.2015
Nanny
The Dagenais Family
03.2011 - 12.2013
Nanny
The Bowman Family
02.2011 - 11.2011
Nanny
The Parietti Family
09.2010 - 02.2011
Nanny
The Levine-McKenzie Family
08.2008 - 08.2010
Live-in Nanny
The Randall Family
08.2007 - 08.2008
Certificate - Hairdressing, Diploma for L'Oréal Color Keys Course
FAS Training Centre for the Further Education & Training Awards Council
High School Diploma -
Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair (Gweedore Community School)
Certification - postpartum Doula care
Cornerstone Doula Training
Various Childcare Work