At times she stepped in to teach children or even help out serve refreshments and even look after toddlers and children her age.

Now a 22-year-old she attends Life Church.

At the age of 12, the Yasawan-native from Yalobi Village could not resist herself from continuing her passion to be involved with children and dreamt of one day opening her own babysitting business.

That dream became a reality last month when she finally succeeded in opening her first ever babysitting business.

At Ms Bale’s humble home in Nadi on Tuesday, the second youngest of five siblings, said life was never easy growing up.

However, she was always fortunate to have the supporting arm of her church family and family at home.

She said while her studies at the University of the South Pacific were on pause, she had now focused on her babysitting business.

She is pursuing her Undergraduate Degree majoring in Psychology and Social Work.

“My love for kids was always there even though I was a kid,” she said.

“I would always have this special place for kids even though I didn’t know them. I always make it my goal to go and meet that child and get to know them and their parents.

“When I was 12, I always wanted to have my own babysitting business, it was always there and just last year two of my mentors, Maria Valentine and Priscilla Raivoka, came up with the idea to start the babysitting business.

“At the moment I am sharing a business licence with Ms Raivoka because she has got a daycare centre and in the next two months I am going to register my own business.”

She has so far looked after and cared for four children since beginning last month.

Services

Ms Bale’s services, at the moment, were only available to Nadi and Lautoka residents. This involved looking after children aged one to 12 years.

“My services are just child-minding services, just being with the kid throughout the day, playing with the child, of course ensuring the child is safe and just helping out with whatever the child needs,” she said.

“I have got a few parents who have asked if I do house chores, but I haven’t agreed to that just yet, maybe I would venture into that in the long run.

“I have had clients who have asked me to do Monday to Friday or to live in, but I think for me right now, I just want to do flexible babysitting because I am so interested in meeting other children.”

In the long run she plans to also learn special ways of babysitting children with special needs.

“My goal for this business may be in the next six to 10 years to have my own daycare services in Nadi, Suva and Lautoka,” Ms Bale said.

Ms Bale charges $25 per day, per child from 8am to 6pm. Her night shift work is from 7pm to 10pm.

For enquiries, families can contact Taina on 8352723, through her Instagram page on tees.babysitting or through email, baletaina22@gmail.com.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce