September Caregiver Spotlight: Alexis Cutliffe

National Nanny Recognition Week (NNRW) is a chance to celebrate the skill, judgment, and care that nannies bring to families every day. At Pyxie, we’d like to keep that celebration going. So this September, we’re introducing something new: our monthly Caregiver Spotlight.

In this series, we’ll be getting to know the members of our Caregiver Advisory Board, hearing about their work, what brought them to Pyxie, and what they hope to see change in the profession. And because a conversation with a nanny usually comes with a good story, we’ve made room for those, too.

When Pyxie was first taking shape, we knew caregivers needed a meaningful voice in what we built. Our caregiver board brings together nannies, newborn care specialists, and agency owners who review early ideas and designs and help us think through the details. They know what’s useful, what’s missing, and what sounds helpful until you try it with a toddler on your hip. This series is our chance to introduce you to the people who bring that experience to Pyxie.

First up is Alexis Cutliffe, a professional infant nanny with six years of experience caring for children in private homes.

Meet Alexis

Alexis has cared for children from five weeks old through their early teens, though newborns, infants, and toddlers have kept her busiest. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and spent four years working in direct patient care as a nursing assistant. That healthcare background has been especially useful in her work with infants, medically complex children, and first-time parents.

She describes her caregiving style as warm, responsive, and Montessori-inspired. With infants, that means following their cues, giving them space to move and explore safely, and allowing time to practice a new skill before stepping in to help. As children grow, she encourages independence while keeping routines and boundaries consistent. “There’s plenty of room to try something new when a child knows there’s a familiar adult nearby to help,” Alexis explained.

A Glimpse Into Nanny Life

When we asked Alexis for a story from her work, she immediately thought of a three-year-old girl she once cared for part-time who also attended preschool. One evening, the girl was adamant that she did not want her pull-up changed, and Alexis wasn’t sure why at first. After some gentle conversation, she learned that the girl had noticed older children in her class using the toilet and felt embarrassed that she wasn’t there yet.

“She had never mentioned this to her parents,” Alexis recalled. Taking the time to talk helped her understand what was behind the girl’s reluctance, and gave her something useful to share with the parents. “Parents and caregivers often see different sides of the same child, and when we share those observations, we have a fuller picture of what that child may be feeling and what support they need from us,” she explained.

Finding Her Way to Pyxie

Alexis had recently completed her MBA and was thinking about what she wanted to do next when a post in a local Facebook group caught her attention. Jenna, Pyxie’s CEO, was looking for caregivers to join the advisory board. “I knew I wanted to do something more with the experience I had gained as a nanny, but I didn’t know what that could look like yet,” Alexis said.

Alexis reached out to Jenna by email, and the two arranged a call to talk about Pyxie and the advisory board. “Pyxie felt like an opportunity to help bring more structure and recognition to nannying as a profession, and I wanted to contribute while it was still being built,” she explained.

As a board member, Alexis considers how an idea for Pyxie would fit into a real day with a child. She looks at whether a caregiver would have all of the information they need, whether a feature would make communicating with parents easier, and whether it still leaves room for their own judgment. Her feedback helps us notice details we might otherwise miss and work through them with someone who knows the industry closely.

What She Hopes Comes Next

When we asked what she hopes Pyxie can contribute to nannying, Alexis began with the work itself: “Nannying is deeply personal and highly skilled. It also requires an extraordinary level of trust and autonomy.” She wants to see that understanding reflected in the support available to caregivers.

“If we want to elevate nannying as a profession, we need infrastructure that recognizes the complexity of the work and gives caregivers the support they need to do it well,” Alexis explained. “I truly believe Pyxie can help make that possible.”

Until Next Time

Thank you, Alexis, for giving us a glimpse into your nanny life and for helping us think more carefully about the work Pyxie is here to support. We’re glad that Facebook post brought you our way.

There are plenty more people to meet and stories to share. We’ll be back in October with our next Caregiver Spotlight. See you then!