Nanny Interview Questions
Interviews with potential nannies could provide a good insight into a nanny’s approach and values when it comes to child care. It is an opportunity for parents to access whether their approach is in line with your own approach to child care. An interview is normally a formal process, however you should aim to make your potential nanny feel comfortable and allow them to see your true personality as a parent and employer. Be honest and open, your nanny will spend a lot of time in your home, it’s worth while ensuring that personalities, values and approaches match to ensure a successful working relationship with you and your family.
The interview can last between forty five minutes to one hour. An idea of interview structure, or the type of questions you can ask are:
- Reconfirm with the nanny what exactly it is you’re looking for in terms of care. This can relate to the hours, days, live-in or non-resident agreement. Tell them a bit more about how your family function on a day to day basis.
- Clarify their experience stated on their resume. Be clear that they do or do not have the level of experience or skills you are looking for.
- Gain feedback from the nanny on the kind of role, family, living situation, hours, days and duties that they seek.
- Find out what they did and did not enjoy about their last role, and why they left.
- Check your nanny’s ID, qualifications and references for yourself.
- Ask your nanny to share their values, ideas and approach to child discipline. Do their values fall in line with your own?
- Find out what made them decide to work as a nanny.
- What are their views on child development, and engagement with children.
- How do they promote healthy eating, what meals do they like to prepare?
- How do they handle emergency situations?
- When did they last attend a first aid training course.
- What activities do they enjoy with children?
- What are their views on watching TV, social media usage.
- Find out a bit about them, hobbies, interests, likes and dislikes.
The interview process should be a two way process. Remember you are also being interviewed by a nanny! They are making a judgement over whether they could and wish to work for you and your family. Do shed positive light on your family, but don’t exaggerate be honest. If you have a child that can be difficult, or has special needs let the nanny know.