Meet Nanny Anne-Marie

It is that time again! Let’s get to know another nanny veteran who spends her days loving and caring for children. Regarding Nannies loves to celebrate the professional role of a nanny and hope we hope that you are inspired by the every day acts of nannies like you.

Meet Nanny Anne-Marie
By: Greta Schraer

1. What is your daily nanny life like?
Right now, I am caring for a 10 month old baby boy. When I arrive in the morning, I get him out of bed, fed and dressed. Then we go for a walk – where the family lives is a beautiful community right on the Mystic River Bridge, and the baby loves to watch the boats and the trains as they go by. After lunch and nap time, we move into circle time, which is educational activities like reading books, introducing numbers and colors. As with any 10-month old, it can be a challenge to get him to sit still and eat or to drink from a cup instead of a bottle, so I get creative to make sure he gets enough. But the biggest challenge is that the family is moving, and won’t be able to keep me on. I’ve done a lot to help with this transition, but it is hard.

2. What are 3 unique characteristics that about you that you strive to live for the children in your care?
I believe in teaching children, including manners, being responsible and everything they need to grow up to be responsible adults. I introduce reading and math at a early age. I like teaching them about their environment. Even when I take the baby for a walk, we take paper to do tree rubbings, or pick up rocks and talk about them. I love music, and make that a part of our day. I sing and dance with the children – if there was a camera at work, I bet I would look pretty silly! I am pretty organized, and teach those skills to children too. Mostly, I bring a lot of enthusiasm, and I’m happy – I am playful with children, but also strict and fair.

3. What is the most rewarding thing about your career as a nanny?
I love watching kids grow up and seeing how they develop. Every day, I am greeted with the smiling face from a child that loves me. Even the baby lights up when I enter the room. I get rewarded with seeing the important milestones, like the first step or the first words. I love being a nanny.

4. What is one thing that you wish you would have known your first day as a nanny?
I wish I had known about contract negotiation and tax situations. I wasn’t very professional with these things when I started in my 20’s.

5. What is something that others may be surprised to know about you?
I grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts, and I still live in the house that I grew up in. I can be in three states in one day (Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine), and still be home at night. I’m an aunt for seven children. I love to cook and to travel.

Anne-Marie Stanley has been a professional nanny for over 20 years and has over 30 years of childcare experience. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education, as well as being a Certified Professional Housekeeper. She has been involved in the nanny community for several years, including membership in the National Association of Nannies (NAN) and the International Nanny Association (INA). She was the Conference co-chair for the 2005 NAN Conference in Boston MA. Anne-Marie is a former Boston Area Nannies board member.