Our Story: The Creation of Safe and Sound Nannies - Placing Loving, Competent Nannies in San Diego

Our Founder: Ann Wycoff, Ph.D.

I had my first child at the age of 40. As a practicing psychologist, it was not easy going back to work when Avery was a month old, especially with nursing, and I needed to know that whoever I hired as her caregiver was emotionally stable, responsible, patient, and loving. I also wanted Avery's nanny to possess good judgment, be calm under stress, be dependable, and be able to follow directions. I wanted to make the right choice from the start, because once Avery was attached to her nanny, I didn't want to disrupt her emotional bond to her caregiver.

Finding My First Nanny

Having worked with companies in helping them to evaluate prospective employees, I drew upon that experience in finding my own nanny. I interviewed each candidate in person, checked their references, and watched how they interacted with Avery. I know that a person can interview well, but still not possess the qualities that are needed in a good nanny. I gave each of them a 200 question personality screen. Although all 4 nannies I interviewed seemed competent, the screen revealed much more about their personalities than I could have learned from an interview. Some scored well on certain traits, but not as well on others. One nanny scored highly on every characteristic. She became our daughter's nanny.

I am often asked if someone can outsmart the screen and come up with a good score that is false. This is very difficult to do. The screen simply measures the candidate on different work-related traits which helps us know if they are well suited for a particular job. I knew how a good nanny should score on the screen. The screen is not guaranteed to predict a nanny's behavior. It is a scientifically valid tool that provides additional, valuable information to guide us in making better, more informed decisions.

Avery's Nanny

Michelle became Avery's nanny for the first 24 months of her life. Avery is nearly 12 years old now, and I still attribute my smooth transition back to work and Avery's happy temperment to Michelle's competence, love, and dependability. I was at peace when I left Avery in the morning, knowing that she was receiving the same quality of care that I would give her. Michelle worked with me to establish a loving, secure and stimulating environment for Avery's developing personality. She also initiated tasks and ran errands that helped our household run smoothly while I was working. I knew I could count on her. In return, I treated her with respect and consideration, knowing that she was a vital part of my family's well-being, and over time, a valued friend.

Helping Other Moms

I realized that other moms would benefit from my screening process, and I asked Michelle if she would assist me in providing a service to help moms find the best nannies for their children. We named the service Safe and Sound Nannies.

Our goal is to find your family the most experienced, reliable, and loving nannies that are available. A nanny must be good enough for our family if she's going to be good enough for yours!