She grew up in Florida, the only child of a special needs teacher, but Hello Sitter’s Scarlett Z. knew she’d found home when she landed in NYC for grad school five years ago. And we’re so glad she decided to stay! A favorite of more than a dozen Hello Sitter families, Scarlett makes kids feel at ease. “I know this sounds corny but [I] just try to be genuine and have fun with kids,” she says. “I think younger kids like that I will go along with imaginative play and step into their world. The older children usually tell me that they find I’m easy to talk to and they enjoy telling me stories.” Currently working as a nanny, Scarlett got her master’s in school counseling from the New York Institute of Technology and has experience working with special needs children. She shared some of sitter smarts straight from her place in Brooklyn.
Years experience: Eight
Whoa, cool toy: A programmable robot that teaches your child how to code
If a kiddo is sad that mom and dad are heading out: I have him show me some of favorite toys or a favorite book to read. Having kids show you around the house is a great way to get them to talk to you too.
Books! I love classic children’s books like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett and The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson.
What should we do today? I like taking small children outside to a park or to the children’s museum. And cooking and doing arts and crafts with older kids.
Gotta activate the Bat signal then…
One time a kid told me the only person he trusted to chase away monsters from under the bed was Batman.
Best in Brooklyn:
Brooklyn Bridge Park and all the different playgrounds
Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Let’s eat! Generally I make whatever the parent leaves for the child but I make a really good grilled cheese and a yummy avocado pesto sauce. I love cooking!
Silly sitter stories: I had a two-year-old ask to have some really sour lemonade that was even too sour for me and we both took turns making faces and laughing. She laughed so hard she snorted lemonade all over the both of us!
The parents say: ★★★★★
“Another great experience with Scarlett! She put our toddler to bed after reading to and playing with her as we were dashing out the door – B. loved it, and it was great to know she was in good hands. Scarlett is great. Would double favorite her if that was a thing.” – Ellie H.
“Scarlett was fantastic! We had a long day away and she tackled helping the kids through homework and an adventure out to the kids art museum with excellence. I came home to a perfectly tidy apartment and restfully sleeping kiddos. I highly recommend Scarlett and hope we get to work with her again!” – Caleb W.
Hello Sitter Does Brooklyn
With all of the families in Brooklyn, there’s a need for great Brooklyn babysitters like Scarlett! Hello Sitter is available in many west Brooklyn neighborhoods, including Park Slope, Boerum Hill, Fort Greene, Williamsburg, and Prospect Park. Book now, Brooklyn!
