Full-Time Compassionate Special Needs Nanny Needed in Arlington, VA

Hello Nanny!®•Arlington, VA

21d•$32 - $35

About The Position

Hello Nanny! is supporting a family seeking a highly compassionate, emotionally intelligent, and experienced nanny to care for their school-aged daughter. This is a deeply meaningful opportunity for a caregiver who genuinely feels called to work with a neurodivergent child with complex medical needs and who finds fulfillment in connection-based, relationship-driven caregiving. The child is neurodivergent and medically complex, with diagnoses including PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), Lyme-related illness, chronic pain, and nervous system dysregulation. These conditions may present as anxiety, emotional and behavioral dysregulation, demand avoidance (PDA profile), sensory sensitivities, and fluctuating daily capacity. This role offers a unique opportunity to support a child in a highly personalized way. The ideal candidate will be patient, grounded, playful, flexible, emotionally resilient, and deeply committed to nurturing trust, co-regulation, creativity, and meaningful connection.

Requirements

3+ years of professional childcare or relevant caregiving experience
Background in special education, behavioral support, psychology, social work, therapy assistance, or related fields
Experience with autism, PDA profiles, PANS, chronic illness, sensory processing differences, or emotional regulation challenges
Knowledge of trauma-informed, low-demand, and nervous-system-supportive care
Experience supporting homeschooling, online learning, or medically flexible education environments
Experience working with neurodivergent and/or medically complex children
Valid driverâs license with a clean driving record
Comfortable using apps or online systems for time logs and daily notes
CPR/First Aid certified (or willing to obtain prior to start)
Minimum age of 21
Non-smoker
Fully vaccinated
Ability to pass an extensive criminal and background check
Legally authorized to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

Has experience with neurodivergence, autism, PDA, PANS/PANDAS, or medically complex children
Is calm, emotionally grounded, compassionate, and non-reactive
Understands (or is eager to learn) trauma-informed, low-demand, nervous-system-supportive care
Is playful, creative, and comfortable with imaginative role play
Able to understand that emotional outbursts are expressions of unmet needs and respond with patience and emotional awareness
Is highly reliable, organized, and detail-orientedâespecially with medications and documentation
Is warm and engaging, without being overwhelming
Is comfortable supporting hygiene needs
Is confident in a home-based, highly dynamic care environment
Is legally authorized to work in the U.S. and comfortable completing Medicaid onboarding and daily app-based time logs
Ideally seeking candidates who can commit to 3â5 years of employment

Responsibilities

Providing attentive, compassionate, one-on-one care
Supporting emotional regulation, co-regulation, and relationship-building
Structuring the day gently with flexibility (visual supports, light routines, low-demand approach)
Facilitating creative play, imaginative role play, crafts, games, and interactive activities
Supporting participation in online learning or gentle educational activities when appropriate
Driving the child (using a family-provided vehicle) to medical or therapy appointments when tolerated
Assisting with meals, snacks, hydration, and food navigation using non-pressured approaches
Administering pre-prepared medications and maintaining accurate medication logs
Keeping simple written notes (food intake, medications, daily observations)
Supporting hygiene, including toileting assistance as needed
Light child-related tidying as you go