About the Family
A German-Ukrainian family in Berlin-Mitte is looking for a kind, intuitive and experienced nanny to become a long-term part of their family’s routine. The family has two children: a 4-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy. They speak English, German and Ukrainian at home, and the children attend bilingual childcare.
Their 4-year-old daughter is autistic and currently minimally verbal. She is active, curious and bright, and communicates her needs through gestures, hand-leading and other forms of non-verbal communication. She understands simple instructions and familiar routines and enjoys water play, balls, playground trips, swings and slides.
Their 6-year-old son is curious, engaging and active. He enjoys football, cycling, chess, reading, maths, Lego and learning new things.
The family has previously worked with long-term babysitters and are hoping to develop another stable, trusting relationship with the right nanny.
Who They’re Looking For
The ideal nanny is warm, patient, intuitive and nurturing, with a genuine interest in understanding each child as an individual. Comfort with neurodiversity is particularly important. The family is looking for someone who can recognise and respond to non-verbal communication without expecting their daughter to communicate or behave in a neurotypical way.
Previous experience with autistic or minimally verbal children would be a strong advantage, but the family is also very open to someone with the right intuition and temperament who is willing to learn. A background in pedagogy, special needs education, early childhood education or Kita work would be particularly welcome.
The nanny should be reliable, attentive and comfortable caring for both children. German or Ukrainian would be a plus, but native or near-native English is the family’s priority.
Schedule
The family’s current childcare needs include:
- Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday: Kita pickup at 14:00, followed by care until 17:00, primarily for the 4-year-old. The Kita is close to the family’s home, and afternoons may be spent at the playground or at home depending on the weather and her mood.
- Saturday: Approximately 17:00–20:00, caring for both children, including dinner and potentially helping with the evening routine.
- Sunday: Potentially 09:00–12:00, caring for both children.
- The family may also occasionally need additional weekday evening, holiday or sick-day support.
The exact regular schedule can be agreed with the right candidate, and some flexibility would be appreciated.
The family will also require additional support for approximately one week in October, particularly during the afternoons/evenings. Their initial call identified approximately three hours of care per day during this period.
Typical Responsibilities
The nanny will pick up the younger child from Kita when scheduled, spend engaged one-on-one time with her, take the children to the playground or on outings, play according to their interests, and prepare simple meals such as pasta, vegetables or reheated food.
Mealtimes should remain calm and pressure-free. The younger child enjoys listening to music while eating and benefits from having an adult sitting beside her for reassurance. She should be gently encouraged to use utensils and explore different foods without pressure.
For evening shifts, the nanny may also help with the children’s bedtime routine: pyjamas, books, calm music and staying with them as they settle to sleep.
The Right Fit
This role would particularly suit a nanny or educator who understands that excellent care is about getting to know the individual child rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach. The family is looking for someone who is observant, affectionate and able to build trust gradually—particularly with their younger daughter.
They are ultimately hoping to find someone who can become a consistent and trusted presence in their children’s lives for at least the next year.
