Sitter in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Hello families of parents, guardians, and little ones! You may have seen me post before. I am a very established nanny in the area with a lot of demand pretty quickly in my previous efforts, so am hoping for a similar outcome upon searching for a new opportunity! My name is Oshia MacKay, I am a 24 year old Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology candidate, set to become a psychotherapist after my work term - living in Halifax! 🙂 When I was 16, I began childcare at a daycare centre in my hometown on the South Shore - with children from 18 months to 12 years of age. I worked there throughout senior high, as my mom is one of the established care providers there. 🙂 I have lived in Halifax for going on 6 years now, I moved here in 2016 to pursue my undergraduate degree. Since then, I’ve worked with 5 different families as a private nanny! Currently, and as of the past year, I am with an absolutely wonderful little one and her parents, who are sadly moving across country effective by end of this month. I find it so incredibly difficult to let go; as I grow the deepest bonds with the children I care for, not having my own yet especially. I began with this family when the child was only 1 year old, and have spent the last year with them. Meaning, I have experience with babies and toddlers, and have been around for half of her life! Going to miss her so very much. But, it makes me feel so good I’ve been able to help out a few families during this crazy pandemic as they have almost all worked within health care. 💜 I drive my own vehicle which is safely equipped for a child of any size (you provide car seat) and although my first aid is by definition expired, I am confident in my skills and level of care! However, recertification could be discussed if required! A bit more about me and what I do: I graduated in 2020 with a BA in Psychology with distinction and then went straight into my Masters of Counselling Psychology program! It is a fully online program that I’ve spent the last two years in completing 14 courses for. I ended with a 4.12 GPA (straight A’s) and went right into my internship as of May 1st, as mentioned, with a wonderful non-profit clinic in downtown Halifax with a focus on culture, race, gender, abuse, and the LGBTQ community. We function on an online basis still and will for the unforeseen future, so I am working from home making it easier for me to balance paid work and my internship! Currently, I counsel clients on Tuesdays and Thursdays (making me unavailable on those days, at least until December). I also have a seminar from 8pm-10pm every second Friday (not every Friday) from home. However, my availability is still very widespread! 🙂 (this can also be discussed/laid out further). I absolutely love children, and want to continue helping out all of the families I can until I spread my wings and go deeper into the mental healthcare field! I know one of the biggest challenges for parents, especially new parents and residents to a new neighbourhood, to find someone to trust with their most prized possession(s): their sweet babies! I want to be the one that makes this adjustment easier for parents, knowing they have someone loving, kind, and nurturing to take the best care of their little one’s (and their homes and/or pets) while they are at work etc. Feeling like I’m a part of the family is my goal for both you and me! I’d be overjoyed to be given the opportunity to chat further, though - and look forward to (hopefully) getting to meet with you and your wonderful family. 🙂 Thank you for the opportunity. I have been hoping something like this would fall into my arms to help me transition from the past year with the little one I currently care for. Additionally, I was always brought up with at least 2 labs in my household at any given time - since moving away I haven’t been able to commit to owning my own dog (yet) so if you have pets, I love that. The current family I’ve been with has had a golden retriever who has brightened my days, as has the child - smiles and love all around 😀 I have a handful of wonderful references to be provided if you’d like to discuss my past work with families in the area in order to help build some trust and determine fit! Just reach out to me, please, so I can send those privately! Hope to chat soon!