How to compare caregivers in VillageMetrics
To compare caregivers in VillageMetrics, go to Analysis → Overview and scroll to the Caregiver Effectiveness section. You'll see average behavior scores for each village member who has recorded journal entries, showing how your child's behavior differs across caregivers. Use this data to identify successful strategies and share them across your team—not to judge caregivers.
Here's how to use caregiver comparison effectively.
What Caregiver Effectiveness Shows
The Caregiver Effectiveness section displays:
Each caregiver's name who has contributed journal entries
Average behavior score when that person was the primary caregiver
Entry count showing how much data is behind each score
How scores are calculated: The behavior score is based on who recorded the journal entry. When Mom submits an entry about the day, that day's behavior score counts toward Mom's average. When the ABA therapist submits an entry about a session, those scores count toward the therapist's average.
Why Scores Differ Between Caregivers
Different caregivers typically see different behavior—and that's normal. The differences usually reflect:
Different settings:
Home environment vs. school vs. therapy clinic
Familiar spaces vs. new or stimulating environments
Different activities:
Academic demands vs. free play vs. structured therapy
High-demand tasks vs. preferred activities
Different times of day:
Morning routines when your child is fresh
After-school when they're depleted
Evening wind-down when regulation is harder
Different expectations:
What one caregiver considers a "bad" day might be typical for another
Different tolerance levels for challenging behaviors
Relationship factors:
Comfort level and familiarity with the caregiver
Established routines and expectations
How to Use Caregiver Comparison Constructively
Identify What's Working
If one caregiver consistently sees higher behavior scores, ask: "What are they doing differently?"
Use Ask Anything to investigate:
"What strategies does [caregiver name] use when behavior is good?"
"What's different about days with [caregiver name] vs. [other caregiver]?"
"What activities happen most often when [caregiver name] is with the child?"
The AI can surface patterns from their journal entries that might explain the difference.
Share Successful Strategies
When you identify something that works:
Share the strategy with other village members
Document it in a journal entry so the AI remembers it
Consider whether it can be adapted to different settings
Example: You notice behavior scores are higher with the ABA therapist. Digging in, you find they use a specific first-then approach for transitions. Share that technique with the babysitter and teachers.
Consider Environmental Factors First
Before attributing differences to caregiver skill, consider context:
School vs. home: School demands are different from home demands
Time of day: Afternoons are harder than mornings for most kids
Day of week: Mondays after weekend disruption, Fridays when they're exhausted
Activity type: Therapy sessions have different goals than babysitting
A lower score doesn't mean a caregiver is doing something wrong. It might mean they're with your child during harder times or more demanding activities.
Ask Targeted Questions
VillageMetrics can help you understand caregiver differences through Ask Anything:
| What You Want to Know | How to Ask |
|---|---|
| Overall comparison | "How does behavior compare across caregivers?" |
| Specific comparison | "Is behavior different with Mom vs. Dad?" |
| Strategy differences | "What strategies does [caregiver] use?" |
| Environmental factors | "What times of day does each caregiver typically record?" |
| Trend over time | "Has behavior with [caregiver] improved over the last month?" |
What Caregiver Comparison Is NOT For
It's not a performance review. Caregivers are working in different contexts with different expectations. Comparing raw scores without context is misleading.
It's not about blame. If the babysitter has lower scores, it might be because they're handling after-school meltdowns while parents get the calmer evening hours.
It's not about who "should" care for your child. Every caregiver contributes uniquely to your child's development and daily support.
Getting More Value from Caregiver Data
Ensure everyone is contributing. Caregiver comparison only works when multiple people record journal entries regularly. If only one person journals, you won't see the full picture.
Encourage detailed entries. The more context each caregiver provides (what happened before incidents, what strategies worked, what the environment was like), the more useful the comparison becomes.
Review regularly. Check caregiver effectiveness monthly or quarterly to see if patterns change over time—especially after interventions or life changes.
Use for team meetings. Before IEP meetings or psychiatrist appointments, review caregiver data to share a complete picture: "He's doing well with his ABA therapist using these strategies, but struggling more at school where transitions are faster."
Frequently Asked Questions
What if one caregiver's score is much lower than others?
Don't jump to conclusions. First, consider context: What times are they with your child? What activities? What settings? Use Ask Anything to explore: "What's happening during [caregiver name]'s sessions?" The difference might reveal a difficult context that needs more support, not a caregiver problem.
Can caregivers see how they compare to others?
Yes—if they have permission to view behavior data. Caregivers with the "View Behavior Data" permission can see the caregiver effectiveness section. This transparency encourages collaboration and strategy-sharing rather than defensiveness.
What if I only have entries from one caregiver?
Caregiver comparison requires multiple people contributing. If you're the only one journaling, invite others to your village and encourage them to record entries. Even brief voice notes from babysitters or therapists provide valuable comparative data.
Ready to stop flying blind? VillageMetrics turns your daily voice notes into the data doctors need to help your child.