Austin Supernanny Finalists Announced

Winner to be Announced Thursday at Recognition Ceremony

Austin, Texas –Mom’s Best Friend, Austin’s largest and most established nanny agency, announced that they have selected four finalist for their city-wide Supernanny contest. Kathleen Atwell, Stephanie Daniel, Ashly Fontenot and Karen Roddy have demonstrated the most exceptional “all-around” Supernanny qualities including experience, dedication, creativity, professionalism, organization, a service heart, and an engaging, warm personality. The contest will conclude with the announcement of the winner at 12:00 pm on October 25th at Mom’s Best Friend’s Annual Nanny Recognition Fall Festival at Waterloo Ice House (6203 North Capital of Texas Highway).
          “We had a lot of wonderful applicants, but the finalists were truly inspirational,” said Kathy Dupuy, owner and founder of Mom’s Best Friend. “On average, they had 8-9 years of nanny experience each, all with glowing letters of recommendation.” Details of the four finalists are as follows:

Kathleen Atwell
Kathleen has been a childcare professional for 16 years. Inspired by “The Sound of Music”, Kathleen always had a strong desire to work with children. In 1997, Kathleen was placed in a nanny position by Mom’s Best Friend and she is still employed by the same family to this day. In fact, they raved, “We consider ourselves extremely lucky to have had her for these last ten years...Kathleen is a shining example of her profession.” As the children have grown, her schedule has been reduced, leaving room for Kathleen to begin working with other families. Her additional part-time families recently sang her praises, “It is hard for me to put in writing how wonderful Kathleen is to our family. She is the most thoughtful and giving person...We are so lucky to have her in our lives,” said one family. Her third family added, “She is really up for more than Supernanny, she may well be in line for sainthood this year!”

Stephanie Daniel
Stephanie’s first placement with Mom’s Best Friend was ten years ago, when she served as the director of a local country club’s onsite childcare center. She subsequently moved to California where she worked in a unique nanny-share situation involving four different families. She returned to Austin several years ago and took a position with twin toddler boys. When they began preschool in late 2005, Stephanie returned to Mom’s Best Friend where she was placed with her current family. Her employer recently commended Stephanie for her abilities, “She is a nurturing, thoughtful person and is wonderful with our son...I know she has his best interest at heart and is always willing to assist the family.” Stephanie is also a mentor to new nannies. One of her fellow nannies stated, “Stephanie has had such an impact in my life as a friend and a nanny. There have been times where I did not know how to handle a situation and she is the first one to lend a helping hand and give advice.”

Ashly Fontenot
Ashly feels that being a nanny is her calling. Eight years ago, she was placed through Mom’s Best Friend with her current family. As the kids have grown older, Ashly’s role has evolved into a nanny/home manager, taking care of household errands and duties while the children are in school. She recently began taking child development courses in order to pursue her degree in Early Childhood Education. Her employer noted, “I cannot think of a better role model for my kids to have. She has helped shape who my children are today.” Ashly also does a great deal of babysitting through Mom’s Best Friend and one recently remarked, “I cannot tell you how lucky we are to have this special person in our lives and I look forward to many years of her positive influence on my children.”

Karen Roddy
Karen has been working with children since high school, starting as an entertainer for children’s parties, working in daycare centers while she earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology, and as a career nanny since 2000. Karen doesn’t settle for watching one infant, she has had three separate positions with multiple newborns, one of whom she was with for four years. That past employer commented, “We know that the work she has done with our children is one of the big reasons they are developing into the highly creative, interesting, and inquisitive girls who bring us countless smiles every day...We can’t say enough about the job that Karen did.” Karen’s patience and the passion she has for her career is also evident from her present employer, “Karen is one of those rare individuals who has reached the top of her profession due to hard work and experience, but more importantly due to a heart that loves to serve and a warm personality that genuinely loves children and the clients with whom she works.”

            The Austin Supernanny contest was created to recognize the best caregiver in the central Texas area. Mom’s Best Friend accepted applications including essays and biographical information from Austin’s finest professional nannies. The winner will be awarded a one-year membership to the International Nanny Association ($85 value), along with other valuable prizes contributed by local vendors and Mom’s Best Friend.