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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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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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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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.

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A nanny can give your child one-on-one attention that a daycare center just cannot provide.  One-on-one attention from a dedicated nanny can accelerate your child’s development.

A nanny can spare your family from the stresses of daycare – from increased exposure to colds and flu, to the rush of the morning and evening “shuttle.”

A nanny can help establish your home as the center of your child’s life and allows you child to enjoy the full benefits of your community – including parks, libraries, schools and neighborhood friends.

Nanny care is flexible; your childcare schedule can be customized to fit your unique work/lifestyle.  When working from home is an option, nanny care makes it a workable and enjoyable alternative.

A good nanny will soon become a trusted and valued member of your household, helping to make even the most hectic of lives run more smoothly.

• Most Nannies: Sittercity.com (Chicago, IL; founded 2001) Sittercity bills itself as the “largest and most trusted” online nanny service, with “more than one million caregiver profiles nationwide.”  A free search of nannies in my area 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.  Basic fee is a $39.99 sign up charge plus $9.99 per month.
• Best Nanny Recruiter: Care.com (Waltham, MA; founded 2007)  Care.com is 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.  Basic fee is $30 for a one month subscription including free background check.
• Most Experienced: Nannies4Hire.com (Norfolk, NE; founded 1987)  Nannies4Hire.com has the most nanny placement experience and is the most nanny-focused of all the online nanny services (with no offerings for pet care or housekeeping, for example.)  The company’s founder is affiliated with a traditional nanny placement agency and is a former nanny.  Nannies4Hire’s services have been featured on the Dr. Phil Show, Jon & Kate Plus 8 and Supernanny.  Basic fee is $129.99 for a one month subscription.
• Best Guarantee: GoNannies.com (Flower Mound, TX; founded 2003)  GoNannies offers a wide selection of nanny candidates and is a very active advertiser and nanny recruiter.  GoNannies also offers a “Find Them & Keep Them” guarantee, which extends a family’s membership if the family does not find a nanny who stays in the job.  Basic fee is $49 for a 45 day membership, including a free preliminary background check.

An honorable mention should also go to NannyPro.com, a new online nanny service based in Hamburg, New York that has been aggressively recruiting nannies and families.  In addition, fee-based online nanny services are offered by nanny tax and payroll specialists HomeWork Solutions Inc. (which is affiliated with 4nannies.com) and GTM Associates (which owns nannyjobs.com.)

Nanny Services in Minneapolis

Above & Beyond Nannies: Apple Valley, MN; 952-431-4100

Awesome Nannies: Wayzata, MN; 952-473-2433

College Nannies & Tutors Development: Wayzata, MN; 942-476-0262

Loving Care Home Services: Oakdale, MN 55128; 651-209-1111

Nannies From The Heartland: Minneapolis, MN; 763-550-0219

The Nanny Place: Minneapolis, MN; 763-560-8181

Online Nanny Services

Use an online nanny service like Care.com or Sittercity.com to find a nanny or babysitter in Minnesota.  Check out Nanny Services Guide‘s list of the Best Online Nanny Services to learn more about the top-ranked online nanny services.

Nanny Services in Arizona

A Caring Nanny: Scottsdale, AZ; 480-946-3423

A Perfect Fit: Scottsdale, AZ; 602-814-4455

A+ Nannies: Scottsdale, AZ; 480-699-7558

All About Nannies & Minding Multiples: Phoenix, AZ; 602-266-9116

Choice Care Agency: Tucson, AZ; 520-322-6966

Nanny Poppinz Of Mesa/Gilbert And Scottsdale: Mesa, AZ; 480-807-0168

Nanny Poppinz Of Phoenix-Tempe/Chandler: Scottsdale, AZ; 602-635-4876

Parent’s Time-Out: Phoenix, AZ; 480-460-1200

The Good Help Agency: Scottsdale, AZ; 602-312-3663

Online Nanny Services

Use an online nanny service like Care.com or Sittercity.com to find a nanny or babysitter in Arizona.  Check out Nanny Services Guide‘s list of the Best Online Nanny Services to learn more about the top-ranked online nanny services.