Developmental Support Nanny for Toddler (PTA/OTA)

The Elite Nanny Team LLC; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The Elite Nanny Team LLC is seeking a dedicated Special Needs Nanny for a toddler with developmental delays. You will provide hands-on care focused on developmental progress, therapeutic play, and consistency across physical, occupational, and speech-related activities.

Ideal candidates bring PTA/OTA background, experience with toddlers, and the ability to reinforce home exercise programs under licensed therapists. CPR/First Aid and background screening are required.

Qualifications

• Professional experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, PT/OT aide, or closely related pediatric developmental support role.
• Experience working with toddlers or young children with developmental delays.
• Strong understanding of gross motor development, fine motor coordination, sensory processing, and early childhood learning.
• Experience supporting speech development, communication, and social interaction through age-appropriate activities.
• Ability to reinforce home exercise programs and developmental activities prescribed by licensed therapists.
• Enthusiastic, patient, nurturing personality with a genuine passion for helping children reach developmental milestones.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with parents and the child’s therapy team.
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications, or willingness to obtain them before employment.
• Professional childcare references and ability to complete a background screening.

Responsibilities

• Actively engage the toddler in purposeful learning, developmental exercises, therapeutic play, and confidence-building activities throughout the day.
• Recognize that everyday experiences create opportunities for meaningful developmental progress.
• Encourage walking, standing, balance, coordination, and mobility through therapist-recommended activities.
• Incorporate movement-based games that promote strength, stability, and physical confidence.
• Reinforce physical therapy exercises and developmental routines as directed by therapists.
• Celebrate improvements in mobility and independence at the child’s pace.
• Introduce activities that improve grasping, reaching, hand-eye coordination, and finger dexterity.
• Use puzzles, blocks, shape sorters, crayons, and sensory toys to strengthen fine motor skills.
• Encourage self-feeding and independent daily living skills.
• Support occupational therapy goals through structured, enjoyable play.
• Promote speech clarity, vocabulary development, and expressive communication through reading, singing, conversation, and interactive games.
• Introduce letters, sounds, colors, numbers, and early letter recognition through age-appropriate activities.
• Encourage verbal communication while respecting the child’s communication abilities.
• Reinforce speech-language exercises and strategies recommended by therapists.
• Build social confidence through interactive play, turn-taking, imitation, and positive reinforcement.
• Encourage appropriate social interactions and shared attention.
• Create engaging opportunities for the child to explore and interact with the environment.
• Maintain a nurturing, encouraging atmosphere where the child feels safe and motivated to try new skills.
• Follow individualized routines and therapist-recommended home activities.
• Communicate daily with parents about accomplishments, challenges, and emerging skills.
• Maintain simple progress notes to help the family recognize growth.
• Coordinate with the child’s therapy team as authorized by parents for consistency.

Skills

PTA experience

OTA experience

Toddler experience

Gross motor development

Speech development support

Home exercise programs

Parent and therapy team comms

CPR First Aid certs

Background screening

Job description

The Elite Nanny Team LLC is seeking a dedicated Special Needs Nanny for a toddler with developmental delays. You will provide hands-on care focused on developmental progress, therapeutic play, and consistency across physical, occupational, and speech-related activities.

Ideal candidates bring PTA/OTA background, experience with toddlers, and the ability to reinforce home exercise programs under licensed therapists. CPR/First Aid and background screening are required.