Kate Zych

• Developed strong relationships with parents, maintaining open communication about each child''s progress and needs.
• Built positive and nurturing environments to support child social and emotional growth.
• Organized and cleaned home after activities by picking up toys and straightening up play room.
• Bathed, dressed, and helped establish the foundations of self care.
• Played games, worked on puzzles, and read books to young children.
• Prepared healthy, age-appropriate snacks and meals.
• Established clear expectations for behavior, setting boundaries to create a respectful atmosphere within the home.
• Established lasting, professional connections with families and children by encouraging open communication and delivering positive feedback.
• Led indoor and outdoor activities to entertain and occupy children.
• Enhanced children''s emotional well-being by providing consistent and nurturing care.
• Communicated with children at age-appropriate levels to encourage understanding and foster relationships.
• Promoted healthy eating habits by preparing nutritious meals and snacks on a daily basis.
• Implemented daily routines for optimal child development and created a structured environment.
• Conducted regular safety checks and maintained a clean, hazard-free environment for the children at all times.
• Organized engaging activities that incorporated age-appropriate educational components for cognitive development.
• Adapted caregiving approaches based on individual needs of each child to provide personalized support.
• Collaborated with parents to establish effective bedtime routines, resulting in improved sleep patterns for the children.
• Supported emotional growth by helping children navigate conflicts with empathy and understanding while teaching problem-solving skills.
• Provided safe transportation to and from extracurricular activities.
• Facilitated creative expression through art projects, imaginative play, storytelling sessions, and more.
• Maintained detailed logs of daily activities, milestones achieved, and any behavioral or health concerns that arose during care hours.
• Monitored screen time usage to promote healthy balance between technology use and offline activities in daily life.
• Encouraged social interactions through playdates and group outings.
• Taught children everyday skills and language.
• Facilitated relationships with children and parents by developing caring and structured home environments.
• Taught children basic life skills, manners and personal hygiene.
• Assisted with light housekeeping duties.
• Provided developmentally appropriate activities for children.
• Transported children to and from activities using personal or family vehicle.
• Monitored children's play activities to verify safety.
• Developed games and activities using arts and crafts to support learning and verbal skills.
• Supervised children on playground to help develop physical and social skills.
• Encouraged children to be understanding and patient with others.
• Coordinated playdates and outings to meet children's physical and social needs.
• Identified warning signs of emotional and developmental problems in children.
• Managed the care and needs of 2 large dogs, shepherd mix and pitbull mix.
• Ensured the dogs were never unattended with the children and that all gates were locked.
• Vacuumed and mopped as needed after the dogs so the children had clean surfaces to crawl/walk/play on.

see above, additionally:

• Assisted in potty training.
• Supported the family and the child while navigating the addition of a sibling.
• Accommodated the addition of a sibling into my care.

• Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
• Communicated positively with children and guardians.
• Created an enjoyable atmosphere during childcare sessions through storytelling, games, and music.
• Helped children learn how to complete small chores appropriate for age level.
• Served as a positive role model for young children by modeling appropriate language usage, manners, and conflict resolution methods.
• Promoted good behavior by using positive reinforcement techniques, such as praise and rewards.
• Enhanced children''s well-being by providing a safe and nurturing environment.
• Sanitized dishes, tabletops, toys, and frequently touched surfaces to prevent spreading of germs.
• Provided healthy meals and snacks for children, adhering to any dietary restrictions or preferences.
• Utilized time-management skills to balance childcare responsibilities alongside light housekeeping duties as needed.
• Developed strong bonds with families, resulting in long-term relationships and repeat childcare opportunities.
• Supported child development milestones by implementing age-appropriate learning activities.
• Maintained open communication lines with parents regarding their child''s progress, needs, and concerns.
• Facilitated outdoor playtime to promote physical activity and overall health in the children being cared for.
• Fostered creativity through arts and crafts projects, encouraging self-expression among the children.
• Displayed adaptability when faced with changing family dynamics or unexpected scheduling alterations.
• Reassured children when upset providing emotional support and stability.
• Planned fun outings and educational activities to keep children entertained.
• Communicated with parents regarding children's progress and development, raising any issues.
• Monitored children's activities to verify safety and wellbeing.
• Read stories, sang songs and facilitated creative play.
• Implemented daily routines and activities to stimulate and engage children.
• Used positive reinforcement techniques to promote patience and other good behaviors in children.
• Encouraged children's emotional and social development.
• Responded to inquiries from parents and guardians.
• Instructed children in crafts and other activities to promote gross and fine motor skills.
• Assisted in potty training and toilet hygiene.
• Logged information regarding naps, feedings, and any medications administered.
• Created and implemented activities to promote language development.
• Played games, worked on puzzles, and read books to young children.
• Prepared healthy, age-appropriate snacks and meals.
• Organized and cleaned home after activities by picking up toys and straightening up play room.
• Led indoor and outdoor activities to entertain and occupy children.
• Safely drove to collect child in the early morning hours to assist with scheduling needs, bringing them to my home for care.
• Provided a comfortable space for Mom to breastfeed infant in my home.
• Safely handled breast-milk and associated feeding accessories.

See above, additionally:

• Collaborated closely with parents in establishing boundaries/rules within the household which helped maintain consistency across all environments.
• Provided a safe and nurturing space for one to 3+ children who's parents all knew one another and shared similar approaches to parenting and education styles.

Lived with L for a time on campus while she studied as a single Mom at Dartmouth caring for her infant son.

• Promoted a positive classroom environment by fostering strong relationships with students and addressing behavioral issues promptly.
• Facilitated small group instruction for struggling learners under the guidance of lead teachers.
• Enhanced students'' learning experiences by providing individualized support and assistance during class activities.
• Observed and monitored children's activities.
• Offered caring companionship and emotional support.
• Supported children's development by encouraging teamwork and understanding of others.

The child in my care was adopted from China, arrived at 10 mos. of age and I started shortly after. I was very close with this family and would travel regularly with them to their second home. I often accompanied the Mom and child to the Waldorf School early learning program based in Steiner. Both parents hold degrees in psychology, the Mom specifically in pediatric/early childhood double doctorate. My time with this family was formative and solidified my path in early childcare.

I came on to assist this family of 5 (children ages: 6mos., 2yrs, 4yrs) during the presidential campaign that both parents were involved with in 2004. Mom worked from her home office while I managed the children's needs and transporting to or from pre-school. At times I worked as a personal assistant and personal organizer.