Because you can’t be with your kids all the time, life may be calling you to go to work or take care of other important matters, it’s essential that you have someone that you can entrust your children to. This is why many people seek a professional nanny. By hiring a nanny or a babysitter, you can have peace of mind, knowing that someone will be there to look after and care for your kids the same way you would look after them.
What to Ask a Nanny
Since not all nannies are the same, you should know how to ask a few key questions to make sure you are on the right track in finding someone who will fit your childcare needs. Here’s a few question to should ask when interviewing a potential nanny for your kids.
- Do you know CPR? To ensure the safety of your children, see to it that the nanny can meet your first aid and safety requirements.
- What is your experience with children? Finding the answer to this question will help verify if the candidate is indeed experienced and suited for the job.
- Why did you choose this career? Depending on their answer, this will help you determine if they are a career nanny or working as a nanny temporarily.
- What do you do when a child is misbehaving? Ask the candidate how they believe a child should be disciplined.
- How do you plan to spend the day with my children? What if the weather is bad? Find out what activities they have in store for your kids, this will also help to see if they can be creative and resourceful.
- What is your favorite age group and why? It’s always good to know if the nanny has a preference regarding the ages of children they work with.
- How were you able to handle a conflict or disagreement in your previous position? This will help you identify how the nanny communicates with their employers and their ability to handle various situations.
Questions to Get to Know the Nanny Better
- What was a typical day like in your last job? This helps you determine what the nanny can and is willing to do.
- Why did you leave your last job? Asking this question will help you determine what to avoid if you want the nanny to stay and if they are seeking a position with longevity.
- Are you ok to assist with additional household needs such as driving, grocery shopping and laundry? This gives you the opportunity to see if the nanny can be flexible and how they utilize their time while the children may be napping or at school.
We suggest after your initial screening interview setting up a trial day with the nanny so you can see how they work with you and how they interact with your children. Its important to get your children’s feedback too, if they like the nanny and want her to come back- thats a good sign!
