Always arrive 5-10 minutes early before the scheduled time. You want to find the house and not be stressed. Do not ring the doorbell until 2 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
At The Family’s House:
- Greet parents with a firm handshake and a polite smile
- Ask if you should remove your shoes
- Ask to wash your hands, especially if there is a baby
- Engage directly with the children by getting down on their level
- Maintain eye contact while speaking confidently and clearly
- Provide specific details about previous work experience
Most common questions parents ask nannies:
- Why did you decide that in-home childcare would be a career?
- What you enjoy most/least about being a nanny?
- What do children like best about you?
- What qualities do you possess that make you a good nanny?
- How would you handle an emergency?
- How do you approach discipline?
Know what you can and cannot do in a household. Ask questions pertaining to your own list of wants and needs within a family structure. When nannies interview with families, both parties should to be on the same page. Do not forget that you are interviewing them as well. Come prepared for your interview with a common list of questions you have for the family.
- What are the general duties during the course of the day?
- What did they like best about their past nannies?
- Do you have any family in town?
- Am I responsible for the care of the animals?
- What is the protocol for an emergency?
- Do you have a list of doctors/emergency contacts posted in a visible place?
- How do you approach discipline?
- Will the nanny travel?
- Will I be driving my own car? Mileage reimbursement?
- Will there be any overnights required?
Always keep in mind, the family expects you to be reliable and responsible. Your punctuality is highly important as well is your work ethic. This will reflect upon the agency. If there a position you are hired for and the schedule is “open and flexible” keep in mind that means that your time needs to be flexible to their needs, not the other way around.
