One of the most common questions we get from families searching for a Nanny is the about the interview process. Whether you are using a full service Nanny Agency or an on-line service you will need to cover many questions regarding the Philosophy and Approach, History, Personality,  and Experience of the Nanny. Luckily, we know a little bit about this so we listed a few questions you may want to ask and a few more you definitely don’t want to ask.

Experience:

  • How long have you been a nanny?
  • How many children did you care for and what were the ages?
  • Are you currently certified for Infants/Children? First Aid Certified?
  • How do you communicate with Parents? Has this ever been a problem?
  • What has been your typical routine?
  • What would you do if my child was sick or had an accident?
  • Do you have any formal early childhood development or childcare training?

Philosophy/Approach:

Make sure a nanny’s philosophy about childrearing is in line with yours. Ask each candidate why she’s a nanny and what she likes about the job — you need to know that she’s in the field for all the right reasons, and that she enjoys children.

  • What appeals to you about taking care of children in their own home (vs. a day care center or your home)?
  • Describe your last childcare experience and why it ended.
  • What was your worst experience in childcare and how did you resolve it?
  • How were you disciplined as a child? What would you do differently with your own children?
  • What do you find to be the most challenging (or interesting) part of working with children?
  • Have you ever had to handle an emergency? If so, what happened and what action did you take?
  • What activities would you engage in with a child this age?
  • How have you communicated information about the child’s day to day activities to your employers in the past?
  • What do you like to do in your free time?
  • How do you think your closest friends would describe you and your personality?
  • What do Children like best about you?
  • How do you deal with separation anxiety?
  • Would you be willing to follow my house rules and discipline/comforting strategies even if they differ from yours?

Daily routines:

  • What will my child be doing on any given day?
  • What are your favorite activities to do with a child that is the same age as mine?
  • If I’m working in the house, will you be able to keep my child happily occupied without involving me?
  • How Flexible are you if I have to stay late?
  • Are there any outside activities that may interfere with my changing schedule?
  • Do you have any personal issues that may interfere with a regular work schedule?
  • Would you ever be available to work evenings or weekends?
  • Would you be available to travel with our family for weekends/vacations?

 

Don’ts: (By law, you are not allowed to ask job applicants about the following :)

  • Age
  • Race/ethnic background
  • Religious views
  • Sexual orientation
  • Marital status/plans on becoming pregnant
  • Disability
  • If she has been arrested.

Additional considerations: Salary is usually a very critical component of hiring a Nanny. This is usually discussed before the interview by identifying a salary range and allowable vacation times. A full service agency will help you through these discussions that can be loaded with land mines. A full service Agency will also share the critical reference checks and background screening results with you.

 

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ABOUT NANNIES ON THE GO:
We are one of the premier Dallas Nanny Agencies that provide skilled, qualified nannies to families on an as-needed, part-time or full-time basis. Call us today at: (817) 442-0225 or Email: info@nanniesonthego.net