New driving check for nannies gives parents peace of mind
New online assessment tests if child minders are really safe to drive with kids
Parents who let their children be driven in a car by their nanny or childminder can now enjoy peace of mind thanks to a new, bespoke driving assessment - which costs less than a tank of petrol, yet could save lives.
Nanny Drive iQ, the driving equivalent of a DBS (old CRB) check, and the world’s first assessment of its kind, launched nationwide on Monday 8th July.
The brainchild of parents whose nanny crashed their car, this online training tool has been developed by a2om international ltd - the company which screened the 8,500 volunteer drivers for the London 2012 Olympics.
Nanny Drive iQ is endorsed by childcare experts Norland College, all of whose students will now take the online assessment before graduating to become a Norland Nanny.
Nanny Drive iQ costs £60 and is being launched to nanny and childcare agencies across the UK, with the aim that it will soon become an expected requirement on candidates’ CVs, alongside a DBS check and first aid training.
Parents can also ask, or pay for nannies or childminders already in their employment to take the new Nanny Drive iQ assessment, by logging on to www.nannydriveiq.com.
Recent research shows that children are 12 times more likely to be a distraction to drivers than using a mobile phone at the wheel[1]. Reflecting this, Nanny Drive iQ uses footage and sounds to immerse childcarers in real life road situations, in order to teach them the specific skills needed to drive safely with their charges on board.
The initial assessment takes just 40 minutes to complete; depending on performance, there are then up to 20 compulsory or recommended modules which take a few hours, including topics such as anxiety, fatigue, safety margins, distraction and the school run. There is also an accompanying e-book, packed full of useful information related to in-car safety and travelling with young passengers including: How to fit a car seat properly, being the best role model, what makes a journey different today, and knowing your vehicle inside and out.
Sarah Rowley, CEO, Nanny Drive iQ, comments “As a parent, when you employ a nanny, you might check their license and perhaps go on a test drive with them, but that doesn’t give you a true insight in to how safe they are when out and about on a daily basis, with your precious child in the back of the car. Nanny Drive IQ is a thorough, effective training programme which teaches vital skills and awareness. I advise all parents to insist their nanny takes this assessment.”
Claire Burgess, Early Years Consultant, Norland comments: “We have helped shape Nanny Drive iQ to ensure it gives all childcarers across the UK the right skills and confidence to drive safely with children in the back. It is something we feel passionate about, and this assessment is now part of the College’s core training for all our students. We will also actively encourage all qualified Norlanders, who are already working for families worldwide, to complete this potentially life-saving course without delay.”
A national database called The Drive a Child Register records successful holders of the Nanny Drive iQ qualification, which must be renewed every three years, and can be checked by an agency or parent instantaneously online at www.driveachild.org.
Nanny Drive iQ launched on Monday 8 July 2013 via www.nannydriveiq.com .
Another similar product - Parent Drive iQ - launches in September and is designed for new parents anxious about driving their new born baby right through to grandparents helping out with the school run.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
a2om
Nanny Drive iQ has been created and built by a2om International (pronounced “atom”), a leader in the development of driver education and assessment software. Their modules are recognised as best in class, academically robust, evidence based, easiest to use and cheapest to buy.
a2om provide online driver education to multinationals such as Shell, Unilever, BP and Mercedes, as well as offender driver platforms to various police forces including ThamesValley and The Met, and last year screened the 8,500 volunteer drivers for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games
a2om are also behind the award winning community interest company Drive iQ www.driveiq.co.uk that gives free education software into schools/colleges to benefit young novice and new drivers. Featured on ITV Daybreak, Sky News, Channel 4 News as well as in The Daily Mail, Sunday Mail and Saturday Telegraph.
Norland College
Established in 1892 by Emily Ward, NorlandCollege has been training nannies for 120 years, and offers one of the UK’s most professional training courses in childcare. This comprises a three year BA (Hons) degree in Early Years Development and Learning together with the Norland Diploma, a practical qualification which is recognised worldwide. The College is based in Bath. www.norland.co.uk
Giving your readers a discount
Nanny Drive iQ costs £60, however give your readers a discount of £10.50 by providing them with a unique discount code, plus earn yourself a £10 commission every time your unique code is used to purchase Nanny Drive iQ. To obtain a login code for this discount & commission, please contact Alex Corsi, acorsi@a2om.com.
Press Contacts:
Sarah Rowley, CEO Nanny Drive iQ – 07894 199369 or sarah@driveiq.com
Alison Vellacott, Highlight PR (PR agent for Norland) – 01225 444268 or alison@highlightpr.co.uk