About Natalya

Hi! I'm a recent graduate originally from New Mexico, now happily back in Santa Cruz (I missed the ocean). I hold a BA in Psychology with a strong focus on child development and culture. I've always loved working with children. In high school, I was a Teacher's Assistant at a Bilingual Early Learning Center, and during college I worked as a Registered Behavior Technician supporting neurodivergent children. I also spent a summer in Dublin, Ireland helping children build confidence with creative writing. Most recently, I lived in Madrid, Spain, working as an English Language Classroom Assistant for children ages 3-8. As a caregiver, I prefer to take a thoughtful and emotionally attuned approach. I look beyond tantrums to understand what a child is really communicating, while still keeping things playful and warm. I believe in meeting children where they are, supporting their autonomy, and creating a safe, consistent environment where they feel seen and supported.