Josh came into our lives when our son Milo was just two months old. It was immediately apparent, as our tiny preemie baby snuggled peacefully into her arms within minutes of her interview starting, that Josh would become part of our family. She started with us full time a couple months later as I headed back to work. Eight years later, it’s unfathomable for our family to imagine a Monday where she doesn’t arrive at 8 am, with our daughter Iris (3) waiting at the door to greet her with a huge hug.

Over the past eight years our family has gone through some big challenges. But Josh has been a constant in our lives, helping to guide and shape our children into the kind, respectful, caring and inquisitive young people they are. James and I have been the luckiest parents to have her in our lives. Our daily open communication has helped create a real tripod of care.

Josh provides the most comprehensive support for developing young children. Both our children are wide-ranging eaters, who get a completely balanced diet and appreciate food of all kinds. Her suggestions for any supplemental elements to their diets are always spot on.

She has never once been late to work and arrives each day with joy on her face. She truly loves her career, and this is evident in all she brings to the week—organising an array of activities to stimulate and excite from zoo trips to RAF Museum visits to soft play to pumpkin picking in the autumn. She seeks out the best classes, from music to dance to phonics to football, suggesting them according to stage and engagement level and adjusting them as needed. We have always trusted her judgment entirely.

I fondly refer to her as the “mayor” of Muswell Hill because all the other nannies orbit around her. Iris began nursery this year with several friends already in place, as Josh had purposefully sought out children who would be joining her so that she wouldn’t feel alone at school. As a direct result, she walked confidently into her very first classroom and settled in immediately. It was the same with Milo before her. He never once looked back because he had been given all the tools to feel safe, secure and confident.

She is the ultimate ally, never missing a beat when it comes to our children. We are envious of the family that gets to begin their journey with Josh. Whilst we spent the past several months preparing for this transition (really in denial!), it’s still hard to process, but we know she’ll always be a part of our lives—just as she has been for all the families fortunate enough to have had her in their lives before us.

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