Reviews and Recommendations
Because I see many requests for parent recommendations, below are my reviews from Care.com and SitterCity. In addition, there are several lovely, personal messages from parents with whom I have worked in the past or with whom I am currently working,
Tips are nice. A holiday bonus is great. I treasure every acorn, art project, hair bow and pair of socks your children are sure I will love as much as they do! And it's these genuine, heartfelt sentiments of gratitude that I carry with me every day, to every home and tutoring session. Knowing that I've been able to work with so many families who consider me to truly be an asset to the lives of their children only fuels my love and enthusiasm for working with the next group. I have a lot of love to spread, people! And it just keeps coming back to me:
K. Family
“Elaina served as nanny for our daughter for 2.5 years as an infant and toddler. She has been wonderful in countless ways, most importantly, fostering a nurturing and developmental relationship with our child. We would recommend her to others and would be happy to connect with anyone looking for a reference for Elaina as a nanny.”
H. Family
“Elaina has been a great caregiver to my 13 month old. She takes time ti e to cook for them, takes them on strolls throughout the neighborhood, plays with them and brings them interactive/learning toys to play with. I have had a wonderful experience with her!”
F. Family
"Elaina babysat for my daughters when they were 5 and 2 yrs old. She is a gentle caretaker who is enchanting to children while commanding respect at the same time. In return, she offers more respect to children than I've seen other people do, encourages them to expand their horizons and to become more aware of the world around them. Elaina came armed with books and activities and would also expand upon them. I would recommend Elaina in a heartbeat!"
S. Family
I Highly recommend Elaina! My soon-to-be one year old adores her! She books out early, so plan ahead.
K. Family
My preschooler likes Elaina! She has been his tutor for 2 months and consistently display professionalism, coming well-prepared with high-quality teaching materials that cater to my kid's interests. Her approach, combining firmness with gentleness, has resonated well with my kid, resulting in remarkable progress. Highly recommend!
L. Family
Elaina is very sweet and prepared. Our child was born prematurely. Every time she came she brought many toys and games suitable for his adjusted age and helped him stay on track developmentally. Wonderful service and people.
S. Family
Elaina arrived with an array of clean silicone toys and instantly captivated my infant daughter. Elaina has a calm yet playful energy and my little one was smitten. It was abundantly clear to me on her first visit that Elaina is a consummate professional. She took great care of my child keeping her safe, clean, fed, and entertained. If you're so fortunate as to secure a booking with Elaina, count yourself lucky! I highly recommend Elaina for childcare.
T. Family
Elaina is truly a gem in the realm of chldcare. From the moment she speaks, it is evident that she radiates authority and knowledge. Her eloquence is unmatched, making her an engaging and captivating presence for our 1.5 year old son. It’s a delight to witness his eyes light up with interest and excitement whenever she’s around. She’s anything but mundane, keeping the atmosphere lively and stimulating. Furthermore, her educational background in early childhood development combined with her extensive experience in the field is evident in her interactions. Elaina’s punctuality and sharpness are commendable. We feel fortunate to have her care for our child and we can’t recommend her highly enough.
P. Family
"Ms. Elaina has taken care of our two-year-old son on several occasions (afternoons and evenings). She is knowledgeable, kind, and professional. My son can be a handful; Ms. Elaina is unflappable. Her experience and education in childhood development enable her to create unique opportunities for my son to learn and grow in their time together. I have peace of mind leaving my son in Ms. Elaina's care; I know he is in capable, caring hands!"
M. Family
“Elaina came to tutor my mom, who has never been to school. She was teaching her how to read and write in English so that she can pass her Citizenship interview. Her method of teaching was very thorough. She was very punctual, very sweet, kind , and patient! My mom passed the exam and can currently read and write at a good level and will continue to learn and improve! We are so blessed to have met Elaina at such a critical time. We only worked with her for a little over a month but what she was able to achieve with my mom was so much more. I love the lesson plans she would send us. They showed that she was passionate about what she was doing and that it was not just a job to her. Thank you Elaina, you are truly a special gift!”
F. Family
It was our first time hiring a sitter for our 9-month old so we were quite nervous. We met Elaina for a quick intro during her lunch break and were immediately comforted by her aptitude in early childcare, attention to safety, and focus on structure. Not to mention, our little guy enjoyed her company. We've hired Elaina twice now - once for Thanksgiving dinner, and once for a Christmas party. One thing that specifically stood out for me was that she asked all the right questions and asked for all the right emergency information - some of which we had ourselves not recognized. We highly recommend her and will definitely have her babysit our son again.”
B. Family
“We hired Elaina for a date night and couldn't have found a better sitter to watch our 15 month old son. She was punctual, asked great questions, was resourceful and even brought her own toys and books to entertain our son. She has a very sweet, kind and respectful demeanor. We would absolutely hire Elaina again!”
L. Family
“Elaina took the time to inquire about our family and my young daughters before the first engagement. As a result, she was very well prepared and didn't waste any time on our evening out. She knew how to connect with the girls and they loved her! We'll definitely try to employ her again.”
W. Family
"Elaina often babysits for my friend K's two children, and K immediately recommended Elaina when we were in town and needed someone to take care of our 9-month-old for the night. Elaina was early, friendly and professional and great with our baby. We would definitely love to work with Elaina again and definitely recommend her work to other families!"
S. Family (personal message)
“You have no idea how much your words mean to me. You were a life saver today. L is tough and clearly struggles to manage his emotions but I would do anything for my boys. Though he has a tough time showing it, L kept saying what a great time he had with you today-- he's a fan! J loves his day with you every week, he actually said your name when we dropped you off at the train! Thanks so much for the adorable Italian books for J and the cookbook for L. He is already looking through it for our first recipe. It takes me a long time to trust people and even longer to trust people with my boys. However, I knew almost immediately that they would not only be safe but would benefit from being around an incredible person like you. We feel like we hit the jackpot with you Elaina.”
B-F. Family
"Elaina babysat our two daughters for several years, and she was one of the most engaged, thoughtful, kind, professional, competent, smart and overall remarkable people we ever had the great privilege of watching our children. She is truly phenomenal, and my wife and I recommend her in the most enthusiastic terms to anyone and everyone looking for the best person around to watch their children."
D. Family
“Ms. Elaina has been our daughter's preschool teacher. She is truly a gift. She cares deeply for children and is an exceptional instructor. Our daughter has learned so much from Ms. Elaina, including being able to sound out words when she wasn't even 4 years old. She is now learning to read, can count to 100, and understands basic addition and subtraction. Her vocabulary has exploded as well (just the other day, she used the word "symmetrical" correctly in a sentence, and defined it for us; she attributed her knowledge of this word to Ms. Elaina). Never pushy and always encouraging, Ms. Elaina firmly believes that every child has tremendous potential, and she works hard to help them fulfill that potential. We feel very lucky that Ms. Elaina has been a part of our daughter's life and education, and recommend her highly!”
S. Family
"Elaina is an outstanding babysitter. She has worked with us and our two kids for almost two years. She has babysat for date nights, sick days and overnight trips out of town. She is wonderful, truly, truly wonderful. She is kind with the kids, always has creative activities and plans for them. She gives them baths, combs their hair, teaches them about shapes and colors and words. She takes them on special trips when she can. I have learned a great deal about parenting techniques from her as well. Elaina is always professional, timely, prompt and courteous. You're not so much choosing her, she's choosing you. I cannot imagine a better sitter than her and I give her my highest recommendation."
R. Family
"Excellent! Great with young kids (our Rose is 8 months old), very professional, in all a very good experience. We would definitely recommend her."
B. Family
"Elaina is so great with my daughter. The first time she babysat for us, my 2y/o daughter, who is usually clingy, could not wait for us to leave so she can start playing with the toys Elaina brought for her. She even said "BYYY-EEE!" with much gusto as I was closing the door behind me. Elaina is very professional and not only does she keep my daughter well-entertained, she also makes sure she's learning! Definitely a gem!"
W. Family (personal message)
"Elaina, We are so incredibly grateful to have you in our lives, caring for, loving and teaching our sweet F! We are simply amazed by the ways he is growing and just how much he is learning with your guidance and help. Thank you for being so sweet, dependable, creative, energetic and passionate about what you do. We are so blessed to have you in our lives and lucky to have you here every week! F. loves you and so do we!"
G. Family
"Elaina-May has been my daughter's nanny for over a year and we are so thankful for her! Elaina does not just watch your child, she teaches your child. She has a great understanding of children's developmental stages and makes learning fun! She has been easy to work with and doesn't get flustered by anything kids do. She is really steady and consistent. I can't recommend Elaina highly enough!"
G. Family (platform message)
“…I read through your profile and saw all the dates and times that you are available. Not sure that what we are asking for is something that fits with you but wanted to reach out none the less because you have so many great, positive reviews, we hope there is a fit with us too. More than happy to speak over the phone if this is something you are flexible about and are interested in hearing more.”
H. Family
“Elaina is extremely professional, knows exactly what to do and is a really lovely personality. She came prepared and won our boys over. We cannot wait to have her back!”
Dr. D, ECE Professor (personal message)
"Elaina, thank you for all you've done to assist me each semester. Your attention to detail, creativity, passion, knowledge and technical skills are all greatly appreciated. It is such a pleasure to have you as a student. Good luck, and keep me informed of your success in all you do."
L. Family
"Where do I begin? Elaina is one-of-a-kind.
Elaina came into our lives when we needed her the most and far surpassed any expectations we could have had. Work was picking up for me, but my infant had some breathing issues as a baby, so daycare just wasn't an option in the beginning and so began our search for help at home.
We found Elaina on Care.com. We interviewed four candidates the week I met Elaina and there was no competition. She was the perfect blend of professional, strong, driven, kind, patient and incredibly smart.
We were lucky enough to have Elaina's help for about 8 months and if she hadn't been moving back to Chicago, there is no question she would still be helping us with our boys in some capacity.
My youngest was in love from the start. Elaina is one of those natural teachers, taking everyday experiences and using them as teachable moments. He began speaking very early and we feel Elaina was a huge reason for this. He speaks clearly, communicates effectively and his time with her is a big reason why.
She adjusts her approach to fit the needs of the child she is working with, but no matter the age she places emphasis on encouraging a love of learning, which she herself clearly possesses.
My oldest was in school during this time, but Elaina even had a positive impact on him the few times she helped us with them both. My oldest has some behavioral and developmental delays; Elaina instinctively knew how to empower and motivate him while remaining firm and controlled.
She not only touched the lives of our boys, she taught me through her actions how to take full advantage of the time we have with our children. And while our time with Elaina was shorter than we would have liked, her positive impact can be seen to this day."
December 31, 2019
I would like to take a moment to update this review with a message I received from this family today:
“Elaina! Jake wanted to let you know that he is a full on reader now. He will be 5 in about a month and we are so proud of him. We have you to thank for giving him such an early intro and developing a true love for reading. We hope you are doing well and sharing you wonderful gift with other children like him. Happy New Year (almost)! Love, The L Family”
I don't forget my children. Each of them becomes a part of me, and even four years later, I am still privileged to be informed of major milestones and accomplishments. These are the things I work the hardest towards with my regular and long-term care families!
C. Family
“Elaina is Nanny Poppins. She is responsible and extremely knowledgeable. We have hired her for date night and already have future bookings scheduled with her. My little baby is 4 mos old and she had no trouble with keeping him entertained and then setting him down for the night. She is a real find. I recommend her without hesitation.”
J. Family (personal message)
"Hi, Elaina! I just wanted to thank you again for being flexible with your schedule this week. We really appreciate it. I also just wanted to let you know that it is a joy to see you (and overhear you) interacting with J. You are such a blessing to us and to him and you really provide such a nurturing environment for him. It does not go unnoticed: we truly appreciate it and look forward to seeing you each week.
Love, the J. family"
C. Family
"I enthusiastically recommend Elaina to parents looking for a caring, responsible, creative, child-focused caregiver. Elaina took care of my two sons, L and D during their infancy and toddlerhood and I found her to be a completely reliable, thoughtful, perceptive and engaging caregiver for them.
Elaina cares for children in the best possible way— beyond keeping them safe, she helps them grow. She always arrived at our home with materials for an engaging project in hand. I never once felt as though my children were getting anything other than the very best care in her hands."
F. Family
"Elaina cared for my daughter one day per week, starting when she was 10 months old. Elaina was always on time and was easy to communicate with during the week about any scheduling changes. Elaina consistently exceeded our expectations by providing fun, developmentally appropriate activities for our daughter. She often brought her own toys, books, and activities to engage our daughter during their time together. She worked on sign language each week, and our daughter demonstrated new signs consistently after being with Elaina. Elaina is a kind, patient, and engaging care provider. She is easy going and made sure to stay in touch throughout the day by sending a few texts about how the day was going. As a first time parent going back to work part-time, this was tremendously helpful. I can't recommend Elaina highly enough."
Ms. G, supervisor (recommendation letter)
"I am pleased to write a letter of recommendation for Elaina. I have known Elaina as a Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum special events and Public Interpretive Programs volunteer for over two years. She is well known for being punctual, reliable and very organized.
Over the last two years, Elaina has been an active participant and contributor to our Early Childhood programs. She has attended these programs both as a volunteer and as a caregiver. She is especially helpful with helping children stay focused as they engage in various activities. Her creativity has helped us with our arts and crafts projects for all age groups. Above all, she has contributed her time and creativity to our programs by bringing in her own materials for children to use. Her contributions have enriched our programs on many levels. I cannot express how much I appreciate her dedication and commitment to our Early Childhood programs and the entire museum.
Elaina would be a valuable employee for your team. She is hard working and capable of handling any responsibility in a respectful and courteous manner."
L. Family
“I hired Elaina last minute for a date night and she was perfect! Elaina was punctual, professional, and immediately playful with our LO. She is the real deal and a great find!.”
B. Family (personal message)
"As soon as you left, I told my daughter 'you'd better hire her before someone else does, because you won't find someone else like that. That young lady is whip-smart. She's probably smarter than all of us!' I'm so glad you're part of our family now! Thanks for taking such great care of all of us!"
K. Family
"Elaina is a top-notch babysitter. She excels at caregiving for my two toddlers; she plays with them and responds to their needs in a growth mindset manner. Additionally, she's always on time, communicates well and cleans up after the kids and herself. Elaina checks all the boxes; plus she brings books and games to play with the kids too. Not only do I love Elaina, but the kids do too."
W. Family
"Elaina is the absolute best! She's been nannying for our 18m son part-time as part of a nanny share for over a year and we couldn't be happier! She is very reliable, trustworthy and absolutely wonderful with babies and kids alike. Elaina specializes in early childhood education and she brings that knowledge and passion with her to work with the kids on a daily basis. She takes great care to ensure the kids are growing and learning through enriching and educational (yet super fun) activities. My son is learning new things every day including his colors, art, music, counting and baby sign language (which she speaks fluently)! We also love her calm, loving demeanor...our work weeks tend to be very chaotic between our different work schedules and getting our daughter to/from preschool... Elaina is a welcome calming presence in our busy daily routine and we are always so happy to have her over. We are so lucky to have found someone so wonderful (in so many ways) to watch our son, she's the very best and we highly recommend Elaina!"
C-R. Family (personal message)
"Thank you for being you, and becoming part of our family! We love having you in our lives."
C. Family
"I interviewed Elaina by phone and really loved her. We ultimately decided to hire someone else who was closer and was planning to be in our area for the future, but I liked Elaina so much I wanted to write a review anyway! I found her very friendly, personable, caring, and professional and could tell she would have connected with my little guy very well. She will be a great nanny for someone, I'm sure!"
A. Family
"Our daughter is 2.5 years old. Miss Elaina brings toys, reads with her, teaches her and puts her to bed. We love her professionalism. She takes the job of caring for our daughter very seriously and we love that about Miss Elaina."
T. Family (recommendation letter)
"I am writing to strongly recommend Elaina as a child care provider. We have known Elaina since October of 2012, when she was our son's toddler-room lead teacher, and began employing her as our son’s caregiver in February of 2013 when he was 18 months old. During that time, Elaina cared for him in her home, at first full-time and then part-time. In addition, for the last 2 months of our time together she also cared part-time for our 5 month old daughter. We terminated our working relationship due to separate moves in October of 2014, yet still remain in close contact.
My husband and I both feel that Elaina has been a wonderful presence in our children’s lives and has provided them with excellent care at all times. Elaina was dependable while also being flexible with regards to my teaching schedule and family vacations.
As an elementary educator myself, I have great respect for the professionalism with which Elaina approaches her job. She spent hours planning age-appropriate, stimulating activities, outings and learning experiences for our child and others in her care. All have included a strong focus on learning early literacy and math skills through play and exploration.
Elaina incorporated fiction and nonfiction literature, art, music and movement into our son’s daily routine and has provided a predictable and structured environment that was not only a comfort to him but which served him well when he began preschool in a new state last fall. In addition to various library story-times, playgroups and music classes Elaina also exposed our son to the cultural riches the city of Chicago has to offer: together they attended almost every toddler-appropriate museum in the city! Each visit was preceded and followed by reading, crafts or other activities to make the experience even more meaningful.
We cannot emphasize enough what a wonderful experience it was for us to have our son, and more recently, our daughter, in Elaina's care. She is loving, fun and extremely patient—absolute musts when dealing with an active little boy and a baby who is extremely reluctant to accept the bottle. Throughout the time we have known her, Elaina worked closely with us to make sure that we were satisfied with her day to day decisions about discipline, meals, potty-training and napping. She was an excellent communicator, who texted back and forth with us throughout the day as necessary or even just to check in and send greatly appreciated photo updates.”
Ms. G, ECE classmate
"I met Elaina in an Early Childhood Education class at Harold Washington. I wanted to do well in the class, so I chose her as my partner. As the semester went on, I was struck by her passion and knowledge, and her dedication to the kids in her class. She has kept up this enthusiasm for the ten years I've known her and is always looking for ways to develop, learn and improve as a childcare provider. She motivates her kids to excellence because she expects excellence from herself and everyone she teaches. She is more than your average childcare provider, she is an educator coming into your home to promote the growth of your little ones on so many levels. She has been a big influence in my life, as well as my biggest supporter.”
L. Family (personal message)
“Elaina, I noticed that you brought a lot of new things into the classroom, which seemed to be of your own accord. And I really felt like it was a teaching classroom. I believe you really contributed to the center. E thrived with you and I know he will miss you. Never doubt that there is at least one child who you will affect for the rest of their life. You immediately made a huge difference in the learning process of my little one. You never know what you're missing until you have it and it goes away. We value education and the bonds that people form. I do hope you are happy at home in Chicago when you move back. Thank you so much for your offer of books, and YES! We never pass up books! And as always, keep in touch!!! I'm sure my E would love to see you again.”
T. Family
"Miss Elaina was my daughter's preschool teacher. In my opinion, her greatest strength is that she sees the spark of curiosity in a child and tries to foster meaningful growth. She pushes a child to wonder, to want to know more, to experiment and explore. No matter the topic, she pushed for literacy, numeracy and sequencing. My daughter is 3 years old and really enjoyed her time with Miss Elaina. She was like our Mary Poppins - strict but always fair, kind and encouraging. We love her and miss her very much!"
S. Family (personal message)
"You have been amazing with our daughters and have shown them kindness, empathy and all the important values in life. Thank you for a wonderful year."
B. Family (personal message)
“Elaina, sorry for the confusion, hopefully Uncle M didn't disrupt the schedule today. He's trying to spend time with the kids on his trip without disrupting the routine. Hope everything went ok tonight. S and I were just talking about how much you are doing with the kids and what a difference it is making. Thank you for working on so many things with them. You are so sweet and thoughtful, we just wanted to make sure we sent a note to thank you for doing such a great job. Have a great weekend.”
B. Family
"Elaina was great! She was on time and our kids loved her. Our son said he enjoyed playing toys with her and she got him to eat his dinner, which is no small feat. We would love to have her watch our kids again soon."
N. Family
"Elaina has watched my daughter a few times and has been excellent. She's been on time, professional, and comes with fun activities. My daughter gets very excited when I say Elaina is coming to play with her and enjoys the time together. I look forward to continuing working with her."
C. Family
"Elaina always comes prepared with a schedule of fun and learning activities for my boys specific to their ages. She effortlessly integrates learning new skills and having fun as they paint, read books, practice writing skills, play outdoors, do arts and crafts and coming back to their proud faces showing off their crafts and telling me about that new thing they learned is priceless! Elaina also provides additional reading and writing instruction for my older son. Elaina is reliable, professional and passionate about children and childhood education. We are so happy to have found her."
Mrs. O, principal
"Elaina worked as a part of the Reading Corps program at South Elementary ELC in Saint Peter, MN. As the principal of South, I had the opportunity to both interview and observe her working within the program. Elaina's uplifting spirit, professionalism, & self-motivation made her a perfect fit for the program. Her outgoing personality allowed her to quickly become a welcomed member on our staff. We will miss her presence in our building this year."
Mrs. W, kindergarten teacher
"Elaina has a wonderful relationship with kids. It's more than a job for her, she really cares. She would talk to me regularly about student progress etc. She is soft-spoken with a big heart."
Ms. M, supervisor (recommendation letter)
"It is my pleasure to write a few words on behalf of Elaina. I have known Elaina for one year, as her Minnesota Reading Corps Internal Coach. I feel I have a good grasp on the work that Elaina has completed and the skills she possesses.
Upon meeting Elaina, you will be struck by her passion and commitment to students. In her work as a Minnesota Reading Corps (MRC) tutor she continuously strived to meet the social, emotional and cognitive needs of the children she works with. I specifically recall Elaina coming to team meetings prepared to celebrate student successes as well as identify specific concerns and resolutions for students who were not reaching their rate of improvement targets.
Additionally, I would be remiss not to mention Elaina's strong personal character. Elaina has a work ethic that has never been questioned, is thoughtful and patient with students and staff, and is a great communicator. Her ability to listen and show sensitivity to others is admirable.
Finally, outside of her position with MRC, I know Elaina to be a life-long learner. She is an avid researcher and self-guided learner. She is intelligent, articulate and inquisitive. I am certain that she will be an accomplished member of your staff. I am very excited for any new adventures that come Elaina's way and am happy to give her a strong recommendation."
L. Family (personal message)
“Thank you for playing so well with H! She really love your singing, and say your name when you go! We just want you to know we are very happy you are so gentle and have such a quiet voice with her. We want to pay you for more time, but know you are very busy! Please just let me know if you have more time during the week for us!”
P. Family (personal message)
“You're a life saver! Please stay for as long as my mom would like :) So glad you can be there, it really made my day! My mom said she has much respect for your language and teaching abilities based on how you were with A today. She was a teacher at my school in India when I was little. I would really love for you to take her to a music program when she is healthy, but I do understand if you have to accept another offer, you're fabulous so you'll get snatched up fast :) You're truly very sweet. Thank you so much!”
Mrs. M, adult ELL student
"She help me to speak English much better. She is always taking her time to help me know how to speak to doctors and learn directions in the city. Always very kind and respectful lady!"
B. Family
"We are moving so never got to use Elaina as a caregiver, but I felt compelled to write this review because she was exceptional about communicating and thoughtful about what questions to ask about my child."
G. Family
“Elaina did a nice job with our two kids, keeping them occupied and doing a project as opposed to merely taking them to a park or sitting them in front of the TV. They were sad to see her go and asked when she was coming back.”
H. Family
“Elaina was wonderful with my 12 week old. I will definitely be using her again in the future!”
B. Family (personal message)
“Are you coming back to Chicago anytime soon? I would be thrilled if I could get someone else like you! T misses seeing L, and you are so sweet they remember you fondly (as we all do). Thx so much for everything!”
L. Family
"I am a mother of two and met Elaina one morning at the Planetarium while she was caring for one of many kids she watches. I noticed her immediately because she stood out from many of the other nannies I encounter. She constantly spoke to the child in a gentle voice, explaining how things worked and what things were. She never once had her cell phone out to look at it and/or take calls. We started talking and I was very impressed with the efforts she makes to engage children (including mine at the time we were at the museum!). Play and talk are so important to children at a young age, and I really thought she took the time to do that with the kids she watched. Since that meeting at the Planetarium, we have kept in touch and have even met out with our kids for play dates and such. She is a sweet and gentle and thoughtful caregiver and would never just plop your kids in front of the TV or let them play alone while looking at a cell phone. I would trust her with my two kids anytime."
W. Family
”Ms. Elaina is an excellent teacher, who is fully committed to seeing my child succeed. After being her preschool teacher, my 4-year-old daughter had the opportunity to work with Ms. Elaina twice a week on reading for about 6 months. Ms. Elaina set high expectations, she went out of her way to find a teaching method to communicate to my daughter in a way she understood, and was always patient. She built up my daughter's confidence, and made reading fun! Ms. Elaina will be missed by both my daughter and me, and we both would recommend her for a teaching position. It is easy to see that Ms. Elaina loves to teach, which is reflected in the success of her students.”
M. Family
"Elaina has cared for our daughter for over a year now and we feel very lucky to have found her. We simply thought she would make sure our daughter was safe under her care and that she would keep her somewhat entertained--Elaina has far exceeded our expectations! She puts a lot of thought into the activities she provides for the children she cares for, and the activities are numerous: trips to museums and parks, walks around the neighborhood, public transportation rides, music classes, art projects, etc. Elaina has worked with our daughter on letters, numbers, writing, days of the week, months of the year, etc. Months ago she came home singing the months of the year - she didn't learn that from us! It is amazing what our daughter shows us she has learned. This is a great precursor to preschool. Potty training was also something that Elaina was a big help with; she truly develops the whole child. She takes her job seriously and has a strong work ethic.
Elaina has a pleasant and calm temperament that children really respond to. Our daughter is "spirited" and Elaina never loses her cool when dealing with challenging behavior. Our daughter's "soft skills" have also improved as a result of Elaina’s efforts.
I highly recommend Elaina if you are looking for a caretaker who goes above and beyond to plan thoughtful and engaging activities for children under her care."
Ms. P, nanny
"Elaina is very good at teaching manners and healthy habits from a young age."
G. Family (personal message)
“Hi Elaina! I was so excited for the boys to meet you! As soon as you took the dominoes and books out of your bag, I knew they were in good hands. You are a great influence!!!”
B. Family
"I was impressed with the structure and educational opportunities Elaina made available. We ended up going with someone that could come to our home so I can't say a whole lot about her but all of my interactions with her have been very positive."
M. Family
"Elaina has cared for our daughter (currently 35 months old) for over a year now. She is an outstanding caregiver/teacher and we are very happy with her! She goes above and beyond to provide enriching activities for the children she cares for. Activities have included but are not limited to: art/craft projects, cooking, school activities (letters, numbers, writing, etc.), visiting museums, libraries, parks, and games (creating a puzzle). She often speaks to my daughter in flawless French. Because of all the work/thought Elaina puts into teaching/caring for our daughter, we have increased the hourly wage to reflect this. We love that our daughter gets to socialize with another child or two while in Elaina’s care. We have complete confidence in Elaina and love her work ethic.”
J-M. Family
“Elaina is fabulous with our two boys! She knows more about dinosaurs than anyone I know and she is lots of fun. I really appreciate her calm demeanor and consistency with the kids. She helps with dinner preparation and always follows the bedtime routine perfectly.”
C. Family
"Elaina was early to arrive, immediately interacting with our baby (8 mos), and so soft spoken and friendly. She immediately was playing, helping him "walk" around the house. The baby really seemed comfortable with her. We will definitely use her again!”
V. Family
“Excellent sitter. Elaina was calm even when my one-year-old was out of control and screaming. My son liked her, especially when she started engaging him in conversation about his favorite things. Very professional!
M. Family
“We were extremely comfortable leaving our 15 mo with Elaina for the first time. Even though he didn't meet her before he went to sleep, she had no problem getting him back down when he woke up. Thanks Elaina!”
C. Family
“Elaina was great. Would hire again. Really appreciate her help.”
B. Family
“She was wonderful and had a calm but firm demeanor. We would definitely book her again!”
K. Family
“Elaina was wonderful! Asked lots of questions and brought some of her own books/entertainment for the kids. Will definitely ask her back!”
T. Family
"Elaina met up with me to meet my girls, and right from the start I knew she would be awesome! From the way that she acted to the questions she asked, I could tell that she was very caring, patient and loved kids. Overall, she was great and I would definitely use her again!"
E. Family
“X was actually sleeping when Elaina arrived, but she was very nice and friendly to us and our animals :)”
S. Family
“A kind, detail-oriented caregiver for our two-year-old and 11 month old. Read stories, played games, and took for a walk.”