Nannies 4 Children

You are about to bring a stranger into your home, to care for your children. You know you will be conducting a background check on your nanny, and right now are in the interview process. What kinds of questions should you ask? Where should you start?

So you have a stack of resumes, and have done a “pre background check” using Google, MySpace and other free resources. Now its time to start interviewing this ‘short list’ of candidates.

• Talk to each selected applicant on the phone.
• Set up interview appointments, allowing at least one and a half hours for each applicant.
• Arrange for a friend, your partner or a relative to interview with you.
• Prepare a list of questions to ask each potential nanny and put the same questions to each applicant.
• Take notes at each interview. - Make special note of how nervous she seems. Some degree of nervousness is to be expected, but if she avoids eye contact, or tries to avoid questions, it can be a warning sign that she is trying to hide something

Check the basics for skills and knowledge

Childcare and child development qualifications - Ability to plan and arrange safe, fun learning opportunities – Nutrition: planning and preparing healthy meals and snacks - First aid training - Driving experience if required - Organizational skills, etc. These should have been noted on her resume, but if she is unable to talk about them in more detail, something may not be totally truthful!

What should I discuss with my potential nanny?

• The wage or salary
• How payment will be made, monthly or weekly, and whether it is a check or cash, or if you will deposit it directly to her bank account.
• The hours and duties of the job
• When you would want her/him to start
• Holiday entitlements and whether she/he would be willing to take them at certain times, eg to fit with school terms or your vacation time at work
• Length of probationary period
• Positive discipline strategies - a trained childcare worker would never use physical punishment as a form of discipline

Here are some suggested interview questions for hiring your nanny

• How long have you been a nanny?
• What ages of children have you worked with?
• Why do you enjoy working with children?
• What do you think are your particular strengths when working with children?
• Have you undertaken any training in childcare and development and, if so, how long were the courses?
• What qualifications do you have?
• Are there areas of your work that you plan to improve?
  What would you do if. … (make up an emergency situation)?
• What aspects of this particular job do you think you will enjoy?
• How might you spend the day with my child?
• Do you think your childhood helped you to become a good nanny?
• Why did you leave your last job and, if appropriate, why will you be leaving your present position?
• What difficulties have you experienced as a nanny with parents or children and how were they resolved?
• How many days have you had off sick in the last 12 months?
• Can you give me some examples of problems you have had with kids and how you handled them?
• What if my son fails to obey you when you ask him to do something? What if he is doing something dangerous?
• How do you handle fighting between brothers and sisters?
• How do you handle tantrums?
• How would you react if a child bit or hit you?
• What do you do when you become angry with a child?
• What if my daughter asked you to keep a secret? What would your response be?
• What if she revealed something to you that you knew I wouldn't approve of?
• Can you swim? Would you be willing to go in the pool with our child?
• At what point would you call a pediatrician or 911?
• Do you prefer to work with boys or girls and why?
• What would you do if you saw a child fondling himself or herself?
• How would you handle a situation of this nature?
• Babysitting - Will you be willing to babysit?
• Driving - How long have you held your license? Is it clean? Would you mind taking me out in the car to check that you are a safe driver?
• Animals - Do you have any pet allergies and do you like animals? Would you be willing to walk the dog?
• First Aid - Do you have a first aid certificate? If not, are you willing to get one before starting work?
• Children- Do you have any children of your own? Will you be bringing them to work?
• Duties- I may want you to do ironing for the children, get some food shopping and so on. Would this be OK with you?
• Second interview - Are you willing to return for another interview and to meet the kids?

During your interview, few things are as powerful as silence. When someone finishes an answer you consider incomplete, don't just accept it and go on. Instead, wait silently; he or she will start talking again and give you more information to evaluate.

Does the nanny have any questions for you?

Interviewing is a two-way process. Make sure you offer the nanny the chance to ask you questions!