Hello everybody,
I had the pleasure of working with a wonderful family in Yorkshire recently, and their absolutely gorgeous 14 month old baby girl. The Mum and I were chatting about my website, and she said to me, “the only thing missing, is a biography.”
So, here I am…
My career began back in 1990 (yikes!), when I helped to look after a really cute little boy in the village I lived in with my Mum and Dad. I remember giggling every day when it was time to get dressed and he insisted on wearing a shirt and tie…aged 3 years!
I then decided to travel the world, which was the most amazing chapter. But, one of my trips took me to Australia, where I lived and worked with a family…Mum, Dad and 3 adorable red-heads…aged 3 years, 2 years and a new-born. It was this experience, in particular, which firmly cemented my decision to embark on what has been the most rewarding vocation.
I went on to get what was, at the time, the highest childcare qualification. And from there, worked as lead behavioural therapist with a beautiful autistic boy – the most influential teacher in my life, who taught me that it is only our perception of what we think is different that leads us to believe that certain people must be unhappy. How far from the truth. I worked with his lovely sisters too, and became very close to the whole family. I then worked as a Teaching Assistant in a school for 11-16 years olds’ with emotional and behavioural difficulties. My journey then took me on to a busy, fun-filled role as a nanny for a fantastic family with 4 children…another pivotal moment…
The family had a private maternity nurse for the 4th child when he first came home from the hospital. I just knew that this was the next step for me. So, I attended a training course in 2006 and spent the next 11 years working with the most incredible families (some of whom became and still are very close friends), helping them welcome their little bundles into the world, and teaching them everything they needed to know about this precious, daunting, delightful, life-affirming phase.
Then, back in 2014, I started to branch out into consultancy work, too. I took everything I loved about all my roles combined…guiding and teaching parents, and helping babies and children to blossom and flourish, and channelled it into what is now my full-time, gentle sleep coaching business…Sweet Dream Babies.
Just in case I wasn’t busy enough (haha!), I planted a little seed of an idea to work with holiday-home owners, and help them equip their properties for families with babies and young children. Well, my little seed grew and at the start of 2023, I launched my other business: Bambini Homes. Please feel free to have a look: Bambini Homes
2022 was an exceptionally proud year for me as my little business won an award for BEST BABY SUPPORT PACKAGES COMPANY UK! A lot of hard work goes into building and running a business so this recognition means the absolute world!
I am also so proud to have been a Guest Speaker and On-Line Workshop Leader with The Mummy Circle and The Positive Parent Coach.
And, I exhibited and did a stage talk (gulp!) at the East Midlands Baby & Toddler Show 2017.
Sam x
Qualifications/Training: HN Diploma in Nursery Nursing, OCN Maternity Practitioner Award, Baby & Child Sleep Consultant: 2 accredited certificates – OCN Sleep Training with MNT and Sleep Consultant Training with The Gentle Sleep School (Naturally Nurturing Sleep Clinic), DBS Checked, Paediatric First Aid.