Babysitter Available in Springfield, IL: Emerson K.

$19 - $23/hr

3 years of paid experience

A little bit about me

I am Emerson (they/he). I love art (especially painting), learning, music, and nature. I have experience working with a range of children including neurodivergent children and LGBTQ+ youth. I also have experience in deescalation strategies and creative thinking/problem solving.
As a queer person with autism, I am passionate about providing culturally competent care where each child is accepted and empowered to be who they are.
I enjoy following children's interests to bond, create learning opportunities, and have fun. I'm not scared to create a sneakily educational craft or activity on the dime, and I love having dance parties to your kid's favorite songs.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, as well as a Master's of Arts in Communication. In the fall I will begin an MSW program, with the goal of becoming an LCSW for neurodivergent children.
Have pets? No worries! I have 2 cats myself and have years of experiencing pet sitting as well.
Browsing as I prepare to leave day job

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Looking For

Availability

Start: TBD

Part-time

Occasional work

Live-out

Age Groups

Toddlers

Preschoolers

How often do you need a babysitter?

Full-Time Part-Time

Qualifications

Certifications

Driver’s License

Other

Car

Light housekeeping

Meal prep

Special needs

Work Experience

3 years of experience caring for:

Infants (0-11 months)

Toddlers (1-3 years)

Preschoolers (4-9 years)

Grade-schoolers (10-12 years)

More About Me

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

Most recently, I have worked as a Registered Behavior Technician since June of 2025. In this role, I support kids with autism through teaching ADLs, collaborating with the child to regulate emotions, contriving opportunities to strengthen skills through preferred play, deescalating aggressive and self injurious behaviors, and creating a fun and safe environment to thrive in.

For a year, I worked as a facilitator for an LGBTQ+ youth support group. Here, I cared for children through listening and validating, while also assessing their safety at home and school.

For 2 years, I worked in childcare at the YMCA. During this time, I engaged with children ages infant-7 years old through play and assisting with ADLs while maintaining a clean and safe environment. I also organized and facilitated birthday parties from kickball, to nerf gun battles, to bounce house parties. I also monitored and engaged youth ages 8-12 in conversations and activities.

Activities I enjoy doing with children...

-Art (neat and simple, messy and fun, you name it)
-Nature (scavenger hunts, creating texture and art from objects found outside)
-Dancing and singing (I love DannyGo especially!)
-Bubble parties
-Sensory regulation (I have so many fidgets and activities that are fun yet soothing)
-Collaborating and building off of each other's play, rather than just watching or pressuring them to play how I would like

My experience with special needs children...

My experience revolves around ADLs (such as toilet training, handwashing, dressing), practicing motor skills through play, and emotional regulation. I am a firm believer in model without expectation, and I do not think there is a blueprint for "functional" play.