A Guide to Interviewing Nannies

We had absolutely no idea what we were doing when we interviewed our first nanny. Mind you, as first time parent's we have been on the train of "learn as you go" for quite some time. But after a few trial and error experiences I feel like we're getting the hang of it. We finally found a nanny that fits in tremendously well and one that our daughter adores. 

Here are a few suggested tips and ideas for how to interview a nanny.

Suggested Structure of the Interview:

1. Tell the nanny about your family and your children.
2. Go over the position in details {print out an outline with bullet points}.
3. Have the nanny tell you about herself.
4. Go over her resume and ask about specific experiences {see sample questions below}. 
5. Ask the nanny if she has any questions or concerns.

Suggested Questions for Nanny Interview:

• Why did you choose to be a nanny as your career? 
• Have you ever had to handle an emergency situation and if so, how did it play out? 
• How do you handle a crying baby?
• What are your favorite rainy day activities for children?
• How do you react to a temper tantrum in public?
• Do you cook? What are your favorite recipes?
• What is your favorite age to care for and why?
• Are you trained in CPR? First Aid?
• Have you had any negative work experiences? How did you handle them?
• Are you looking for a long term position? Or short term?
• How flexible is your schedule? Are you able to come early/stay late if requested?
• Are you comfortable to caring for more children if we have play dates or family visitors?
• Do you prefer structure with your days or less structure?

There are also some questions that are inappropriate to ask, such as:

• Age
• Race
• Sexual Orientation
• Religious Views
• Arrest Record
• Marital Status
• Disability

Feature image borrowed from here