How to interview a nanny. Contact at least two references although the more the better. A good match is what the employer is looking for. There are some qualities that all families look for in a nanny.
This will give the interviewer a better idea of who you are and what motivates you. Go through the nannys cv in detail asking her to describe each childcare position see section below. Mention any personal or life experiences that have helped you perform as a nanny.
You want to sound conversational so dont memorize every word you plan on saying but have a good idea of what you will say if you are asked the following questions. But there is no doubt that the number one recommendation in how to interview a nanny is to trust your instincts. Start with the basics.
Some things to keep in mind during your nanny interview. You dont want one word answers but you also dont need her entire life story. Every parent should call nanny at home for interviews.
You cannot completely rely on the answers to the judgment. Tell the nanny about your family and children. As a basic indicator make sure that your conversation is flowing naturally and that she is giving you sufficient answers.
For example instead of asking whether they liked the nanny ask what she did well and where theres room for improvement. Do not select a nanny without knowing everything about them. Ask each candidate for a list of past and present references and ask specific questions when you call them.
A nannys strong suit is interacting with children not necessarily interviewing with adults. Good nannies will be sizing you up as well so start the interview off right by greeting the nanny warmly andor. The interviewer wants to get a sense of your background in childcare as well as other jobs youve had that help with your childcare skills.
Ask questions that let the nanny confirm her application or resume such as youve been a nanny for x years right and do you have experience with housekeepingcooking for your previous families this lets the nanny expand on her experience and gives you a feel for how extensive her background is. Each family has different requirements and expectations. Prepare interview questions for a nanny and judge the nanny according to their answers.
How you treat the nanny matters. Theres no way to predict all of the questions that parents will ask you during a nanny interview but preparing answers to some of the more common ones is a great way to prepare.