Maria, senior home help in Glasgow

Maria worked for us as a live-in aupair for nearly one year. She was responsible for our two young children - aged 2.5 years and 1 year when she arrived - for 3 days a week and also babysat for us each week. She worked 35 hours a week (and managed very well to give this tons of energy despite also studying for her degree in her spare time). Her role also involved light housework which she did to a good standard as well as preparing food - mainly for the children but also for the whole family at times. She makes an awesome spanish tortilla. She is a very enthusiastic and friendly person and put our children at ease almost immediately. I felt very comfortable leaving them with her. She has a lot of common-sense and I knew that I could rely on her to keep them safe. She was sensible enough to know when she should contact me at work - for example if one of the children was very unwell but also to know when she could manage herself without troubling us. She worked hard and was flexible and accommodating of our needs - as my shift pattern was variable. She took good care of the house and encouraged the children to do the same. She was kind, gentle and affectionate with the children but also able to be firm if needed. She engaged in many craft activities with the children (and cleaned up after herself) and also made sure that the children got out and about most days taking trips to the library, to various classes or to the park. Her experience working as a lifeguard in Spain was a great asset as she regularly took the children swimming and they have made good progress in the last year. She is full of energy and would happily walk with the children to these activities or use public transport (She is able to drive though unfortunately we didn't have a spare car for her to use. ) She would help us to put the children to bed some nights and was also confident bathing them and putting them to bed herself. She was considerate of other members of the family - letting herself in quietly for example if she was in late in the evening and always polite and friendly. We have nothing negative to say about her - she only left our employment due to the arrival of a new baby so I am now at home with the children instead. Overall I'd highly recommend her - primarily because she is so great with the children but also because she is real asset to any busy family. She certainly made our lives much easier and was keen to help us in anyway she could.

I met Maria when she was an au pair for a good friend and saw she was so kind and patient with her children. She has since looked after our boys several times and has been brilliant. She knows how to deal with toddlers and their tantrums and keeps a cool head. She knows how to keep them entertained and likes taking them outdoors too. Her English has really improved in the year that I have known her and perhaps she can teach my boys some Spanish too!