Professional Personality Screening ...read more...
Each nanny candidate completes a standardized, statistically validated personality screen as part of her online application process. The screen assesses personality characteristics that predict performance as a nanny. It is scored automatically and compared to the scores of thousands of previous applicants. Dr. Wycoff uses her professional expertise to interpret each applicant’s screen results, determine if she is qualified to work for our agency, and match the nanny’s personality traits to those of the family who have trusted us to find them the right nanny.
In-Person Interview with a Licensed Psychologist
Each qualified nanny candidate is interviewed in person for 90 minutes by Dr. Ann Wycoff, a licensed psychologist, a mom, and the owner of Safe and Sound Nannies. This is a standardized interview that includes a list of open-ended questions to assess the nanny’s competency with children and babies, her knowledge of developmental stages, her judgment, her passion for children, etc. We are looking for nannies who are highly qualified and clearly love what they do!
Thorough Reference Checking By Phone, not By Email
Dr. Wycoff personally calls each former employer herself and writes up the reference word-for-word, because you deserve more than a checklist. This is an opportunity to learn important details about each candidate and she takes the time to do it thoroughly. Each written reference is sent to the client family with phone numbers. We encourage the family to call the references also.
We listen! In-Depth Phone Session with Dr. Wycoff
After our initial phone conversation and your completion of the fee agreement, a phone call is scheduled with Dr. Wycoff. During that call she listens carefully to learn about your personalities as parents, your children’s personalities, your children’s unique interests/challenges/temperament, any concerns about hiring a nanny, your schedule, your pets, your expectations, any past experiences with previous caregivers, etc. By patiently taking time to learn ABOUT YOU, we are able to match you with the right nanny candidates and not waste your precious time.
Trial Time
We encourage you to schedule up to a week of trial time with a candidate you liked in the interview before you pay our fee. Many families only use a day or two; it’s up to you. We want to make sure it’s a good fit for both the family and the nanny so that this will be a successful, long term relationship.
We Send Quality, Not Quantity
We feel we are being paid to find the very best nannies. We won’t waste your time sending you everyone under the sun. You can find that yourself on a nanny database. We match nannies and families so carefully that 90% of the time families hire the first or second candidate that we send them. If we are missing the mark, we will take the time to learn what we are missing so that we can better understand your needs and do a better job finding the right match.
We Know Thousands of Nannies
We have thousands of nannies in our database, many of whom we have placed many times in the past over 19 years. We love to place nannies we already know, but our jobs tend to have low turnover so we are also always screening and interviewing new nannies.
Dr. Wycoff is a Mother Too
As a working mother herself, Dr. Wycoff understands what it is like to leave your baby or child in the hands of someone else. Many families come to us with newborns and preemies who are especially fragile. We understand the enormous responsibility we have to find the best, safest, and most loving nannies. Dr. Wycoff will only send out nannies that she would bring into her own home to care for her own children.
One Year Replacement Policy
For full time placements (30+ hours/week) we provide a one year replacement policy. For part-time placements were provide a 6 month replacement policy. If you are not happy with your nanny we will replace her. (The nanny must receive consistent hours and pay.) We are not a “revolving door” and we rarely need to replace a nanny. We work hard to find the right match the first time.