Live-In Full-Time Nanny Available in Grand Rapids, MI: Francesca M.

$30 - $40/hr

9 years of paid experience

A little bit about me

I have over nine years of childcare experience in private households in the U.S. and internationally, including long-term nannying and a live-in au pair role in Italy during a semester abroad. I’ve cared for children from infancy through adolescence and am very comfortable supporting routines, development, and daily household structure.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and have additional experience in youth coaching and student ambassador work, which strengthened my communication, organization, and leadership skills.
I would describe myself as calm, grounded, and reliable, with a warm and patient approach to childcare. I focus on creating a structured, supportive environment where children feel secure and understood, and I’m very attentive to emotional and developmental needs.
I also enjoy staying active, traveling, cooking, and learning about different cultures, and I bring a flexible, positive, and team-oriented energy into every home I work in.

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Looking For

Availability

Start: ASAP

Full-time

Live-in

Age Groups

Infants

Toddlers

Preschoolers

Grade-schoolers

How often do you need a nanny?

Full-Time Part-Time

Qualifications

Certifications

Driver’s license

Other

Own transportation

Light housekeeping

Meal prep

Special-needs experience

Work Experience

9 years of experience caring for:

Infants (0-11 months)

Toddlers (1-3 years)

Preschoolers (4-9 years)

Grade-schoolers (10-12 years)

High-schoolers (13-17 years)

More About Me

Relevant experience where I also cared for children were...

I have over nine years of childcare experience in private households in the U.S. and internationally, working with children from infancy through adolescence, including neurodivergent children. My main role was a long-term nanny position caring for three children, where I managed daily routines, meals, school support, transportation, enrichment activities, overnight care, and household organization.
I also worked as a live-in au pair in Italy during a semester abroad, caring for two children and supporting full-day routines, activities, and English language development in a bilingual home. In addition, I’ve provided on-call childcare for various families and have experience coaching youth soccer in structured group settings.
Across all roles, I focus on consistency, structure, and emotional support, and I’m highly adaptable, calm under pressure, and comfortable managing multiple children and changing schedules.

Activities I enjoy doing with children...

I really enjoy spending time outdoors with children because it naturally supports movement, curiosity, and healthy development. I like planning simple, engaging activities like park outings, nature walks, playground time, and age-appropriate games that keep them active and exploring their environment.
I also enjoy using outdoor time as an opportunity for learning in a relaxed way—talking about what we see, encouraging observation, and helping children stay engaged with the world around them. I find that being outside helps children regulate energy, build independence, and stay more balanced throughout the day.
Overall, I aim to make outdoor time fun, active, and consistent while also keeping it structured and safe.

The most important part about being a nanny...

The most important part of being a nanny is building trust and consistency.
Children need to feel safe, understood, and emotionally secure with the person caring for them every day. That comes from showing up reliably, staying calm and patient in all situations, and providing clear structure and boundaries they can depend on.
It’s also about being fully present—paying attention to their needs, moods, and developmental stages, and responding in a way that supports their growth rather than just managing their day. A great nanny isn’t just supervising; they’re helping shape a child’s emotional world, confidence, and sense of stability.
Strong communication with parents is just as important, so everyone is aligned and the child experiences consistency between home, routines, and expectations.
At the core, it’s about being steady, caring, and dependable enough that a child feels safe to grow, explore, and be themselves.

My experience with special needs children...

I have experience supporting neurodivergent children, including a child with ADHD in a long-term nanny role. I focused on providing structure, consistent routines, and a calm, patient approach to help support focus, transitions, and emotional regulation.
I use positive reinforcement, clear communication, and gentle redirection, and I adapt my approach based on each child’s needs and sensory or attention differences. I’ve learned the importance of flexibility, consistency, and creating a predictable environment where children feel safe and understood.

My goal is always to meet each child where they are and support their growth in a steady, encouraging, and structured way.

The most important part about being a nanny...

My favorite nanny moment was when I helped the child I nanny for—who is neurodivergent and has ADHD—get more comfortable with eating carrots. It started as a very small goal, focused on gentle exposure without pressure or expectations, and building trust around trying new things at their own pace.
We approached it in a calm, playful way, with consistency and no stress around the outcome. Over time, they became more open to trying them, and it turned into a positive routine rather than something they resisted.

It was a meaningful moment for me because it reflected how important patience, structure, and understanding sensory and attention needs can be. With the right approach, small wins like that build confidence and independence, and it reinforced for me how powerful consistency and emotional safety are in childcare.