Nanny Services Guide http://www.nannyservicesguide.com How to Use Nanny Services to Find a Nanny, Babysitter or Au Pair Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:18:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Nanny Screening – Personality and Risk Assessments http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/nanny-screening-personality-and-risk-assessments/ http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/nanny-screening-personality-and-risk-assessments/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:18:18 +0000 Guest http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/?p=1046 A new nanny screening tool – nanny personality and risk assessment - is available to nanny services and family employers.  This guest post on nanny personality and risk assessments was written by Yossi Pinkas, the Founder and CEO of TakeCare, a provider of personality and risk assessments for screening nanny and babysitter candidates.

Nanny Personality and Risk Assessments

Nanny personality and risk assessments are psychological tests that help parents assess potential Nannies, Au Pairs or Babysitters. The tests provide a better insight into the caregiver’s personality and traits, as well as an assessment of possible risk factors, and allow parents to select the best possible nanny. Similar tests are used by corporate and government organizations worldwide (including some 80% of the US Fortune 500 companies and 75% of the UK Times 100 companies) as well as by some Nanny, Babysitter and Au Pair agencies and childcare organizations. As a matter of fact, such tests are mandated by the US government for all Au Pair agencies.

Why are such tests needed? Aren’t interviews and checking references sufficient to select a nanny? Most recruitment specialists agree that the validity of interviews is quite low, even when conducted by trained professionals. Most parents are not trained interviewers and are usually lacking the necessary experience to properly formulate interview questions, read between the lines of what the applicant says, interpret non-verbal signs and body language, etc.

A Nanny Personality and Risk Assessment test can be considered as a very detailed and structured interview that overcomes some of the parents’ face-to-face interview limitations.  The test includes several hundred questions, covering all relevant issues, including questions which parents may feel uncomfortable to ask in a face-to-face interview. Personal traits covered may include responsibility, obedience and discipline, self control, emotional stability, coping with pressure, positive attitude and service awareness. Risk assessment issues should include violent behavior, drug abuse, drinking problems, truthful reporting, respect to property and more. In a similar manner to an ordinary interview, online interactive tests of this sort allow different questions to be asked according to prior responses, as well as provide real-time feedback to the applicant triggered by specific answers that are considered problematic.

Yet, the main benefit of the Nanny Personality and Risk Assessment test is in the accuracy of the information provided. A properly constructed and administered test includes various mechanisms which are aimed at identifying misleading and inaccurate responses; the large number of questions (some repeating themselves in different versions), the way those questions are structured (which may sometimes seem peculiar), the time constraints and some additional mechanisms (which won’t be detailed in this article for obvious reasons).

Using a Nanny Personality and Risk assessment by parents may also create certain challenges. Some parents are concerned that the use of such a test may offend an applicant and create a bad impression. While this may be true and certain applicants may even refuse to take such tests, parents should always keep in mind that such tests are a standard procedure for applicants in many business and government organizations, as well as part of the screening process in a number of Nanny and Au Pair agencies. There is really no good reason why parents recruiting a nanny on their own, will not benefit from the use of such assessments. There is no other position as important and as critical as that of a child caregiver. Parents shouldn’t compromise on the screening process and use all possible means to make the best-informed decision. To minimize objections, parents should explain to the nanny about the test, why they feel it is important, and ask her to put herself in their place, facing a similar decision about her own kids.

Another challenge is for parents to avoid using the test results as a single decision factor. Parents should keep in mind that Nanny Personality and Risk assessments do not replace interviews or any other component of the existing caregiver screening process. As any other psychological tool, they are not 100% accurate and should be considered a decision supporting tool and not a decision making tool. When hiring a nanny, parents should always interview applicants, check references and use their intuition, which is as important and useful as any scientific tool.

Nanny Personality and Risk Assessments should be used correctly to ensure test results are valid. The applicant must read fluently the language in which the test is administered. Applicants who are not fluent in the test language should not be tested. Tests are also designed for a specific purpose. For example, a test designed to assess applicants for a job should not be used for self-test purposes, such as by someone who wishes to check if he is suitable for a certain position or occupation.

Designed and used correctly, Nanny Personality and Risk assessments are invaluable for parents who are looking for a nanny for their child, and should become a standard component of the screening process of any childcare provider.

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]]> http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/nanny-screening-personality-and-risk-assessments/feed/ 0 Los Angeles Nanny Service Helps on Moving Day http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/los-angeles-nanny-service-moving-day/ http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/los-angeles-nanny-service-moving-day/#comments Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:50:22 +0000 Nanny Expert http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/?p=1006 Los Angeles nanny service Nanny Poppinz has partnered with NorthStar Moving, a Los Angeles-based moving service, to provide childcare for busy families on moving day.

The moving package–with nanny care included–has been nicknamed “The Angelina.”  According to NorthStar Moving, clients’ children will be “under the watchful eye of a modern day Mary ‘Poppinz,’ freeing up mom and dad to focus on moving and/or saving the world.”

Nanny Poppinz is a national provider of nanny services based in Naples, Florida.  Nanny Poppinz has 35 nanny franchises nationwide including Nanny Poppinz of Orange County South California, based in Mission Viejo, which serves the greater Los Angeles area.

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]]> http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/los-angeles-nanny-service-moving-day/feed/ 0 Care.com Coupon: 15% Off Membership http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/care-com-coupon-15-off-membership/ http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/care-com-coupon-15-off-membership/#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:13:49 +0000 Nanny Expert http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/?p=966 Use coupon code SUMMER15 to save 15% off any Care.com membership.

Now is a great time to start your Care.com nanny or babysitter search. Find a nanny, mother’s helper or tutor for the rest of the summer or start searching now to find a fulltime or afterschool nanny for the fall. Care.com is also the best place to find a reliable and available babysitter for those date nights you need to schedule.

 In our review of the Best Online Nanny Services, Nanny Services Guide judged Care.com to be the most active nanny recruiter based on the number of Care.com jobs revealed by a Google search for nanny jobs in various cities.  In addition to childcare, Care.com offers pet care, senior care, housekeeping, tutoring and has a separate category for special needs care. 

Start your nanny or babysitter search today. Use coupon code SUMMER15 to save 15% off any Care.com membership through September 15, 2010.

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]]> http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/care-com-coupon-15-off-membership/feed/ 0 I Had a Dream Nanny Named Theresa http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/hire-a-dream-nanny/ http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/hire-a-dream-nanny/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:08:30 +0000 Nanny Expert http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/?p=930 When a family begins a nanny search, I suggest that they start by imagining their dream nanny. This is a good way to find the qualities of a nanny the family values most.

I had a dream nanny named Theresa. It was 1998 and I was pregnant with my first child.

Theresa was the lovely woman I dreamed up to care for my future babies. Theresa, in my dreams, was a sweet, caring and energetic woman who would love my children as her own.

My dream nanny Theresa was a religious woman. She was kind and honest and good, like Mother Teresa.

In my dreams, Theresa was a teacher who became a nanny because she wanted to spend more one-on-one time with children. She would be be happy to spend one-on-four time with my future children because they were so smart and perfectly well behaved, in my dreams.

Theresa was fluent in English and Spanish. She would teach my kids to speak, read and write in both English and Spanish. I was certain that this early world language training would be essential for the development of my dream children.

Incredibly, my dream nanny Theresa was also a master chef who would cook delicious, healthy meals for the entire family. Theresa was just too good to be true.

Really. She was. We hired a reputable nanny placement agency to find her and they searched, but could not find her.

For a few months, we endured an awful, unreliable nanny who was the complete opposite of Mother Teresa. We then hired a nanny who had taken some early childhood education courses and was great, until she decided to return to college to finish her degree.

We finally found my dream nanny in 1999, after the birth of our second child. Her name was Kathy, not Theresa. She was not particularly religious, nor was she a teacher. She did not speak Spanish and she never cooked for us, but she could get down on the floor and play with my kids for hours without losing patience.

Most importantly, my dream nanny was a sweet, caring and energetic woman who loved my children as her own.

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]]> http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/hire-a-dream-nanny/feed/ 0 How to Choose an Online Nanny Service http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/how-to-choose-an-online-nanny-service/ http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/how-to-choose-an-online-nanny-service/#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:56:38 +0000 Nanny Expert http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/?p=785

An online nanny service can help you find a qualified and reliable nanny or babysitter. There are different types of online nanny services that vary in terms of the level of service provided and fees charged.

Type of Nanny Service

Nanny Job Boards: The most basic type of online nanny service is a nanny job board which charges a fee to advertise available nanny positions for a period of time.  For example, The Nanny Job Board on Nanny Services Guide charges $10 to post a nanny job for 30 days.

Online Nanny Services: Other online nanny services (like Care.com and Sittercity) offer more extensive services.  These online nanny services allow families to post a nanny job description and search nanny profiles including the nanny’s photograph, age, town of residence and qualifications. In addition to nanny and babysitter positions, many online nanny services also offer tutoring, housekeeping, pet sitting and senior care.  Membership fees at these online nanny services range from $25 to more than $100 per month.

Cost & Other Factors

Costs of Online Nanny Services: Cost is a key factor when choosing an online nanny service.  In comparing costs of online nanny services, consider any upfront or monthly membership fees and the specific terms of membership. Does membership include a “free” background check? Does it include a full background check or just a preliminary search? Also compare the costs of different online nanny services in the event that it takes more than one month to find a nanny.  Finally, check if the online nanny service provides any type of guarantee or a refund if you do not find a nanny or if your nanny quits after a short time.

Most Nanny Candidates: An online nanny service provides value only if it helps you find a qualified and reliable nanny or babysitter.  A key factor in choosing an online nanny service is which service is the most likely to help you find the best nanny or babysitter. It pays to visit more than one online nanny service to see which site has the most qualified nanny candidates in your local area.

For more information on choosing an online nanny service, see our list of the Best Online Nanny Services.

More Nanny Resources:

]]> http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/how-to-choose-an-online-nanny-service/feed/ 0 How to Choose a Local Nanny Service http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/how-to-choose-a-local-nanny-service/ http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/how-to-choose-a-local-nanny-service/#comments Sat, 12 Jun 2010 23:37:48 +0000 Nanny Expert http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/?p=727 If you need to find a nanny or babysitter, a local nanny service can help.  When choosing a local nanny service, consider the following:

Customer Service:  A good nanny service is responsive to the families it serves.  Place calls to several nanny agencies that serve your area.  Does a person answer the phone or are calls forwarded to voicemail?  Are phone messages and emails responded to promptly?  Do agency representatives welcome your call and seem knowledgeable?   Do they answer your questions and address your concerns?    

Location:  Nanny services with an office close to your home are the most likely to have a wide selection of nanny candidates who live nearby.  An out-of-town agency may advertise and interview in your area, but its pool of local nanny candidates will not be as deep or as qualified as an agency with a true local presence.   

Internet Presence:  Almost all nanny candidates search for nanny jobs on the internet, especially the most educated and experienced candidates.  A nanny agency with a strong internet presence will attract more qualified nanny candidates.  Does a local nanny agency have a professional website?  Does the agency accept nanny applications online?  Does it advertise its positions on the internet?

Fees and Charges:  Price matters.  When choosing a local nanny service, compare the level and structure of its fees.  Does the agency charge an application fee?  A placement fee?  How do the agency’s fees compare to those of its competitors?  What type of guarantee does the agency provide?  Does the agency’s fee include a third party background check?

Experience and Reputation:  How long has the agency been in business?  How many nannies has the agency placed?  Has the agency placed any nannies recently in your town?  What type of nanny does the agency specialize in: live-in, live-out, full-time, part-time?  How does the agency recruit and screen its nannies?  Is the agency a member of the International Nanny Association?  The Better Business Bureau?  Can the agency provide current, local references?  Be sure to ask friends and acquaintances about their experiences–good and bad–with local nanny agencies.

To find a local nanny service near your home, visit our directory of Local Nanny Services.

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]]> http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/how-to-choose-a-local-nanny-service/feed/ 0 Sittercity Coupon – Save up to $20 on Nanny Services http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/sittercity-coupon-save-up-to-20-on-nanny-services/ http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/sittercity-coupon-save-up-to-20-on-nanny-services/#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:13:16 +0000 Nanny Expert http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/?p=685 Save $20 off a Sittercity annual membership or $5 off a monthly membership with this nanny services coupon through the end of June – just in time to find a great nanny or babysitter for the summer.  Just visit Sittercity through the link below and use the promo code SITTERSAVE.  This Sittercity coupon is valid through June 30, 2010:

Need a babysitter? The best local sitters and nannies are at Sittercity.com. Save up to $20 now!

In our post on the Best Online Nanny Services, Nanny Services Guide picked Sittercity as the online nanny service with the “Most Nannies.”  A free search of nannies on Sittercity yielded a greater selection of qualified local nannies than any other online nanny service.  In addition to nanny and babysitter care, Sittercity also offers pet care, senior care, housekeeping and tutoring.

]]> http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/sittercity-coupon-save-up-to-20-on-nanny-services/feed/ 0 How to Use a Nanny Service to Find a Nanny http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/how-to-use-a-nanny-service-to-find-a-nanny/ http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/how-to-use-a-nanny-service-to-find-a-nanny/#comments Fri, 14 May 2010 11:43:20 +0000 Nanny Expert http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/?p=941 Nanny Services Guide helps families find a nanny, babysitter or au pair by providing advice on how to find and use the best online nanny services and local nanny placement agencies:

Online Nanny Services

Local Nanny Services

The Nanny Job Board

The Nanny Bookstore

Nanny, Babysitter & Au Pair Information

]]> http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/how-to-use-a-nanny-service-to-find-a-nanny/feed/ 0 Directory of Local Nanny Services by City http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/directory-of-local-nanny-services-by-city/ http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/directory-of-local-nanny-services-by-city/#comments Mon, 03 May 2010 20:31:53 +0000 Nanny Expert http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/?p=822 Nanny Services Guide’s Directory of Local Nanny Services can help you find a local nanny placement agency in your city.

Local Nanny Services

More Nanny Resources

]]> http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/directory-of-local-nanny-services-by-city/feed/ 0 How to Find a Nanny http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/how-to-find-a-nanny/ http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/how-to-find-a-nanny/#comments Sat, 03 Apr 2010 23:44:04 +0000 Nanny Expert http://www.nannyservicesguide.com/?p=671

Learn how to find a nanny with these nanny search tips from Nanny Services Guide.

1. Start your nanny search early

It typically takes 4-6 weeks to find a nanny, so start your nanny search early and move quickly to recruit qualified nanny candidates.

2. Meet as many nanny candidates as possible

Some nanny candidates may be qualified, but might not “click” with your family.  Meet as many nanny candidates as possible to improve your chances of finding a nanny who really fits your family.

3. Pursue all of your nanny search options

You never know how or where you will find the perfect nanny.  Pursue all of your nanny search options and follow up on every lead.

4. Write a nanny job description

Write a nanny job description that includes your nanny job’s salary, work hours, responsibilities and qualifications required.  Make sure you understand the basics of nanny tax and household employment requirements.

5. Join an online nanny service

Join an online nanny service like Care.com or Sittercity.com. Membership in an online nanny service is an inexpensive and effective way to find a nanny.  To compare fees and services of the leading online nanny services, see our reviews of the Best Online Nanny Services.

6. Hire a local nanny placement agency

Hire a local nanny placement agency to conduct your nanny search.    Local nanny agencies will charge a placement fee if you hire a nanny they refer, but agencies are worth using if you need to hire a nanny within a set time frame or if you do not have the time to conduct your own nanny search.

7. Advertise your nanny job in local newspapers

Advertise your nanny job in the classified ads of your local community newspaper.  With any advertising, use a cell phone number or email account  for nanny candidates to contact you; do not provide your last name or home phone number.

8. Recruit local nanny candidates

Post a “Nanny Job” flier at the children’s library, community parks and playgrounds, the neighborhood pool and local preschools and toddler programs.  Local colleges can also be a great source of candidates.

9. Tell everyone that you plan to hire a nanny

Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a nanny.  This should include friends, neighbors, relatives, colleagues and anyone else you can think of.  With a little luck and some targeted networking, you could save time and money by finding a great nanny through word-of-mouth.

10. Screen your nanny thoroughly

Before hiring any candidate, screen your nanny thoroughly by personally checking references and commissioning a background check that includes a search of criminal and motor vehicle records and a credit check.

It takes time, patience and a little luck to find the perfect nanny.  To ensure success, start early and pursue all options in order to meet as many nanny candidates as possible.  Your efforts will be rewarded when you find the right nanny for your family.

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