You’ve sifted through a sea of resumes and narrowed down your search. Now, it’s time to take a closer look at your candidates.
Ask them nanny interview questions to get to know them better and see how they’d fit into your family.
Remember, no question is too small for a nanny interview. From navigating a melt-down in the grocery store to knowing the Heimlich Maneuver, an in-depth interview is key.
A good nanny interview gives you the confidence to make a job offer or motivates you to keep looking.
Starting with the nuts and bolts
Start with the deal breakers before moving to the next steps:
With the basics out of the way, get more personal with open-ended interview questions. These types of questions prevent "yes" or "no" answers.
Keep in mind a good nanny might not be a good interviewer and vice-versa.
Examples of open-ended interview questions include:
Learning about their experience and skills
You’ve melted the ice, and you’re both as relaxed as possible — time to get specific.
While some nannies hold a Master’s in Early Childhood Education, most don’t.
Think beyond formal education to what other life skills they bring. Maybe they’ve worked in a nursery and can help your kids start a veggie garden. Or maybe they have a drama background and can spearhead a play with your kids as the leads.
You might ask:
You don’t need eloquent responses to every question.
Keep in mind a good nanny might not be a good interviewer and vice-versa.
Are they personable? Do they make eye contact? Do they light up when they talk about kids?
Examples of targeted interview questions to ask a nanny during an interview:
What are the most important qualities of a nanny, babysitter, or childcare worker?
Now, add a series of follow up questions to dive deeper:
Walking the walk
Professionalism, responsibility, and dependability come with the role. Did the nanny arrive on time? Did they come prepared with a resume and some references?
If they have child care experience, include your job requirements as you ask questions about their past roles to check for fit:
Whether they have experience or not, consider asking the following questions for a nanny interview:
A nanny has to know what to do when the unexpected happens. Run your nanny through a few simulated scenarios and clock their response:
Scenario #1: As you arrive at school, your four-year-old charge complains of a stomach ache. They have no other symptoms. What do you do?
Scenario #2: You’ve just put the baby to sleep when their six-year-old sibling has a tantrum about tooth-brushing. Now, the baby’s screaming too. What do you do?
Scenario #3: You’re putting a newborn down for a nap. How do you place them on the bed and why?
Scenario #4: A seven-year-old falls off their bike and complains of a sore arm. How do you respond, and in what order?
Scenario #5: A 4-year old has melt-downs when their parents leave for work. How do you defuse the situation?
There are dozens of interview questions to ask a nanny, but certain subjects are off-limits. In some states, they’re even illegal.
When it comes to personal or controversial questions, it’s best to steer clear. Things like:
With the interview out of the way, you’re a step closer to finding your nanny. Before you make an offer, invite them for a nanny trial. If all goes well, make sure there are no surprises later with a nanny contract. Then, set up payroll and leave taxes and filings to the experts.