Know what to ask in your nanny interview, grab your interview checklist

Preparing for your Nanny Interview, a Checklist

Selecting someone to take care of your children is not an easy feat. You’re typically going to be interviewing strangers, so you have to ask the right questions and get a good feeling about the person you choose to hire. There are some categories of nanny interview questions to ask a potential nanny that you should focus on, and these can give you ideas for additional questions to ask.

General Background Questions

These are the usual starter questions for someone you will interview, so a nanny interview is no different. Ask her about herself, her hobbies and interests. Why she wants to be a nanny, and what interests her about your specific need. Also, ask her about previous experience caring for children, their ages, and a little about her duties. Is she CPR certified, or willing to get the certification? Has she ever had to handle a medical emergency? Does she have a vehicle and is she willing to drive children to a doctor or hospital if needed? Is she willing to submit to a background check? What does she love about children and what do children love about her? How does she feel about light housekeeping, especially in the areas the children will play? Ask about living arrangements and transportation, if not a live-in nanny. Ask about any health issues and whether the nanny smokes or drinks.

Discuss Your Family’s Specific Needs

I was still pregnant when we were hiring our nanny. We didn’t really know what a typical day would look like post-baby and with me returning to work, so a lot of these questions were general care and not specific to our lifestyle. If you already know what you will need, this is the time to bring it up. Ask what activities the nanny does with babies and toddlers (or other ages as appropriate). Is the nanny willing to adjust her schedule if you have to work late, or leave early for a meeting? Ask her to tell you about a typical day she will have with a baby or a toddler. Is the nanny willing to keep a daily log? Ask her if there is a task she will not do. Ask about her philosophy on raising children. How does she discipline children? How does she comfort them?

Considerations if You’re Seeking a Live-In Nanny

There are more topics to ask if you want to hire a live-in nanny like we did. Ask her about her sleeping and eating habits and needs. Find out if she has any pets she wants to bring with her. Ask if she has any family or friends who may visit, and decide how you feel about guests. Does she keep her living area clean and is she quiet? How does she feel about living with a family?

The nanny should have some questions for you, and those might spark other questions as well. If the interview goes well and you feel like you connect with the nanny and she with you, then you should introduce her to the children unless of course, you are still expecting as I was.