Nanny Wanted - Ottawa Orleans Family Seeking An Active And Patient Part Time Nanny For Our 3 Year Old With Mild Autism (15-20 Hrs/Wk)

We are looking for a patient, energetic, and reliable part-time and live-out nanny for our 3-year-9-month-old daughter, about 15–20 hours a week in our Orléans home. She was recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (Level 1). She is happy, funny, affectionate, and very much her own person — she loves to laugh, and the right person is going to have a good time with her. This is not a screen-time-and-snacks job. It is active, engaged play and attentive supervision from someone willing to get on the floor, follow her lead, and keep up with her — because she moves.

GETTING TO KNOW HER

She has a significant speech delay, though she is not non-verbal — she communicates with a mix of short sentences, spoken words and signs. It usually takes a new adult a few weeks, rather than a few days, to understand her reliably, and we will teach you her words and signs as you go. Most people find that part interesting. She is a sensory seeker. She wants movement and physical input: running, climbing, crashing, spinning, water and sand, busy and messy play. Her best days are the ones where an adult facilitates this rather than waiting for her to go looking for it. She is a free spirit and moves quickly from one thing to the next. With this, she needs close, sustained supervision from someone who is genuinely watching and able to keep up on foot. She sometimes finds transitions difficult, and she has her own routines around food, sleep, and toileting. When she becomes overwhelmed, what helps is a calm adult who gives her support and lets her reset.

WHAT THE DAYS LOOK LIKE

• Attentive, hands-on supervision throughout your shift
• Active play indoors and out — floor play, gross-motor games, and walks to nearby parks and playgrounds
• Practicing preschool basics through play: letters, numbers, shapes, colours, and simple logic puzzles
• Carrying over strategies from her speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist. We will guide you — consistency between adults is what makes it work.
• Personal care: diapering, bathing, dressing, self-feeding, supporting toilet training, and preparing her meals and snacks

SCHEDULE

About 15–20 hours a week, usually four half-days, mixed weekdays and weekends. The schedule is flexible, and we will work it out with you. Shifts are in our home, where a parent is usually around and working nearby. The occasional overnight is possible but rare. If the fit is strong, there is also the opportunity to travel with us. She starts school in 2027, which will change the schedule; we hope to continue well beyond that.

WHO WE ARE HOPING TO FIND

Temperament matters more to us than credentials. The person who does well here is patient and consistent, does not take a hard moment personally, and follows through on routines.

• Physically active and happy to spend a shift on your feet
• Experience with autistic or neurodivergent children is a real asset
• Knowledge of ECE, OT, or SLP is an asset. Students and assistants in those fields are very welcome, as are those in child studies, psychology, and behaviour analysis.
• Any signing experience is a bonus; willingness to learn matters more
• Reliable and punctual — consistency is important in our daughter's development

REQUIREMENTS

• Clear Vulnerable Sector Check
• Two references (childcare, or instructors/practicum supervisors for students)
• Current First Aid and Infant/Child CPR, or willingness to obtain it before starting
• Non-smoker
• Comfortable communicating in English
• Legally entitled to work in Canada

COMPENSATION

Competitive hourly rate based on experience. Paid on the books.

TO APPLY

Send us a message here with a short note about your experience with young children, any experience with autism or developmental support, and your availability. Tell us about a time you helped a young child through a hard moment — we will read that part closely. We start with a phone or video call. Please visit to view full details and to apply. FREE REGISTRATION and lots of jobs to choose from!