How to Interview a Nanny

The interview process is something you have to go through to be able to find a good nanny for your kids. It’s the best way to get to know a person, clarify things and convey your feelings. It is a particularly important task for working parents because they know that the safety of their kids depend on who they choose as a nanny. By conducting an interview, you will learn more about the person.

Make sure you have her data in front of you while you’re talking to her so that you can ask her about the things she wrote in her profile.

If you work with an agency, selecting a nanny is easier. You can at least feel safe that the agency has imposed certain restrictions and have screened every single person in their employment pool in some way. Although you will still need to select potential nannies by creating a shortlist, you can trust the agency to have done the necessary background checks for you.

Here are some suggestions for the interview process.

* First of all, verify all the information provided. You can start by creating a conversation around one of the things she put in there. For instance, she mentioned that she previously worked for a family with four kids. Ask about her experience with that family, and why she quit.

* Ask the candidate to describe to you the best and worst scenarios she has encountered during her career as a nanny.

* Quiz them with “what if” scenarios. This will at least tell of how they will react in emergency situations.

* Tell them about your requirements. For example, you want the nanny to know something about a certain subject matter so that she can help your child do her homework. Note, however, that some sitters charge more for such services.

*Ask about schedule. Does your prospective nanny have another job? Is she available on days when you need her to be with your kids? Make sure you ask these questions during the interview.

Ask open-ended questions that will encourage your would-be nanny to share some of her experiences. What you need to remember is that you’re learning about your nanny, and she is learning more about you as an employer during the interview. Liking should be mutual for a relationship to work. Always practice proper decorum and treat the prospective nanny as if she were already working for you.

Don’t hesitate to tell the applicant about your current home condition. Tell her you and your husband are working and you can’t be with the kids during the day. This will give her an idea of what kind of expectations you may have.

Mention every aspect of the job you are offering, including extra services like cooking, cleaning and washing dishes. Discuss the pay, her tasks and your intentions. If you intend to hire someone for the long-term, tell her that.