Full-Time Compassionate Special Needs Nanny Needed in Arlington, VA
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 driver’s 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
- Ideally seeking candidates who can commit to 3–5 years of employment
- 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-oriented—especially 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
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) occasionally to medical or therapy appointments when tolerated
- Assisting with meals, snacks, hydration, and food navigation using non-pressured approaches and maintaining accurate food/drink intake logs
- 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
- Support emotional safety and positive peer relationships
- Provide gentle structure and a predictable daily rhythm
- Encourage increased engagement outside the home and reduced isolation
- Support gradual comfort with leaving the home and participating in activities
- Foster independence-building in a low-pressure, supportive way
Benefits
- Overtime pay for all hours worked over 40 per week
- Guaranteed hours
- Two weeks of paid time off annually
- Paid federal holidays, coinciding with the parents work schedule
- Long-term, stable position intended to last for years
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
