Hiring a nanny is a very big decision for any family, with many factors to consider. It is essential to find the best fit for your family. Since Covid has changed the landscape of our industry, Zoom interviews have become popular however, an in-person interview is always a great opportunity to get to know the nanny and see if they are the fit for your family. But what questions should you ask in a nanny interview? Here are some ideas to get the conversation started.
1. Can you tell me about what brought you into this field and tell me about your experience, how many years have you been a nanny?
One of the most critical things to look for in a nanny is experience, especially if you have more than one child, as well as taking into consideration their age. Ask the nanny about their previous experience working as a nanny, and have them include how long they had been with their previous families and why they left. At Seaside Staffing Company, we always require a cover letter and a proper resume.
2. How do you handle discipline?
This is a super sensitive topic, and it’s essential to make sure the nanny’s approach aligns with your parenting style. Ask the candidate how they handle discipline and what methods they use to manage behavior. Seaside Staffing Company feels that when disciplining a child, it is actually an opportunity to teach!
3. Can you describe your approach to age-appropriate activities? Are you familiar with ages and stages of development?
It is important to make sure the candidate is skilled in developing age-appropriate activities and educational play. Ask the candidate about their approach to planning activities. What are some of the ideas that they can bring to the table to make sure that those activities fit best with the child’s age and development. Things that one will do with a four year old will be vastly different than a two year old. Make sure the candidate understand ages and stages of development.
4. Do you have any particular strengths or areas of expertise in childcare?
Some nannies may have specific strengths or areas of expertise in childcare, such as special needs care, infant care, or tutoring. Ask the candidate about any specialized training or experience they have in these areas.
5. What are your thoughts on communication and keeping parents informed?
Obviously communication is essential in any relationship. Most importantly your communication with the person taking care of your most precious assets! The nanny must be willing to communicate openly and honestly with you about everything that happens throughout the day. Ask the candidate about their communication style and how they plan to keep you informed about your child’s progress and any issues that may arise.
6. What is your availability?
Make sure the nanny’s availability aligns with your family’s needs, including the hours they are available to work and their willingness to work weekends or holidays if needed.
7. Do you have questions about our family?
It is important to give the candidate an opportunity to ask you as many questions they may have about the position, the environment, the schedule, your discipline style or your family dynamics. This also shows the family of the candidates interest in their career and this can also give you valuable insight into their priorities, which in return will help you determine if they are the best fit for your family.
The nanny interview is the first step in the hiring process and getting answers to your questions will help you find the best candidate for your children. These questions will give you a good starting point to assess the nanny’s experience, approach to childcare, communication skills, and availability. Remember to trust your instincts and choose the candidate who you feel is the best fit for your family’s unique needs, parents always have the best intuition!
