Meet the Angel: Marjan!
Hi! I’m Marjan, 26 years old, and I live with my boyfriend in Someren. I started my education in Recreation and Tourism, where I especially loved the entertainment side of things—particularly when it involved working with children. After that, I went on to study Pedagogy in Nijmegen because I was interested in learning more about child development and how the brain works. For me, those studies really complemented each other. Babysitting through Charly Cares fits perfectly within that same picture.
Care coordinator and babysitter
I’ve now been working for a year and a half as a care coordinator at a residential group home for children and young people with intellectual disabilities. The work is very diverse, but it also comes with irregular hours. When I came across Charly Cares, I immediately thought: That’s perfect for me!
Since I sometimes work during the day, sometimes in the evenings, and often on weekends, having a regular side job isn’t really feasible. But with babysitting through Charly Cares, I can set my own availability, which fits perfectly with my work schedule. And it stays within my field of expertise: at work I think a lot about pedagogical choices and upbringing, while babysitting gives me a more relaxed way to have fun with kids. It’s amazing to see how children grow and develop—especially when you babysit for the same family over a longer period. Sometimes you haven’t seen them for a few weeks, and suddenly they’ve learned something new—that never stops being special!
My job as a care coordinator
Officially, I work 28 hours a week, but due to staff shortages in the care sector, it often ends up being more. My work is split between spending time on the group and my role as a care coordinator for four Polish children and a 25-year-old. This means I stay in contact with parents, guardians, schools, and behavioral specialists, create care plans, and coordinate everything related to their care and upbringing. It’s a challenging job, but that’s exactly why babysitting is such a nice change of pace—it feels more like relaxation than work.
A passion for children from an early age
I’ve been babysitting since I was a teenager. It started with family and then expanded to friends and acquaintances. During my studies, I did two seven-month internships at holiday parks, where I worked in the animation team and interacted with children every day. As a child, I already loved playing with dolls, and it was clear to everyone that I’d end up working with kids. And now, here we are—it really suits me!
I’ve been babysitting through Charly Cares for about six months now and currently babysit for three different families. Thanks to my experience with children, I feel right at home from the start, and I don’t have to worry about “Am I doing this right?” but instead focus on “How can we make today as fun as possible?”
Tips for new Angels (and parents)
For new Angels just starting out, here are a few tips:
Plan to arrive a bit early the first time, so you can calmly get to know the parents and kids.
Children can sometimes feel a bit nervous, so it helps if mom or dad stays for a bit to ease the transition.
Start playing quickly to break the ice—this helps kids feel at ease.
Pay attention to how they respond: some kids start chatting right away, others test you with jokes. Go with the flow and keep it relaxed!
That first tip also goes for parents who might feel a bit nervous about hiring a babysitter: take a moment for a quick introduction. It helps both you and your child(ren) feel more comfortable with the new Angel.
Babysitting through Charly Cares is the perfect side job alongside my work in care. It gives me the flexibility I need and lets me do what I love most: spending time with children. I would absolutely recommend it!
Want more babysitting stories?
Also read the blog with Babysitting Angel Anne! From dropping flyers through mailboxes to building strong bonds with families she regularly sits for, Anne continues to grow as a babysitter—which fits perfectly with her studies.