Interviewing your Nanny
At Busy Kiddies, we ensure that all of our candidates our screened and interviewed to the highest quality. We make sure that we have all DBS and childcare certificates as well as understanding their previous experiences. The most important thing we look for in our establishment is wether the child care professional has a real passion for looking after children and being a positive role model.
We understand that as a parent you want to be sure that you have the right person for your family. It’s like a piece of a puzzle that fits in perfectly with your family- you want to be 100% safe, comfortable and assured that the person working with you is the best choice. We have some questions that you could ask your nanny upon your first meeting with them.
Before you interview your nanny, it is important to be prepared. You should always note down all questions you want to ask and answers from nannies. We do advise that if you have a first time nanny, you should meet with them prior to their first day or have a phone conversation before you meet them, interviews should usually take around 45 minutes to an hour. You also want to see if your nanny has a good bond with your child/children. This can take time, but once you see your nanny interacting with your child/children, you can have some peace of mind that they have the opportunity to develop a positive relationship based on the activities or interactions they have with each other.
When introducing your family to your nanny, inform them about the structure of your interview questions, this helps the nanny feel comfortable with you and to prepare them for some of the questions. Try to be professional, but also keep a calm and friendly demeanour. Remember, being interviewed can sometimes feel like a gruelling concept to some people, and to get the most out of a candidate, you want to keep the atmosphere laid back and friendly.
Here is an example of the structure of an interview:
Confirmation of position-Discuss position with candidate before starting, ensuring they are aware of the role they will be participating in.
Introducing your family- Talk about yourself (and if applicable, your partner) and your children.
Checking your Nanny’s CV- Ask any relevant questions that you may have whilst doing so.
Asking interview questions
Giving your nanny an opportunity to ask any questions
Bonding time with your child-Give the nanny an opportunity to bond with your child.
Conformation of Position
You will need to describe the position that you are offering in detail. Set out below is a suggested list of issues that should be covered:
Start date (and end date if applicable)
Hours of service
Holidays
Notice time if sick or bereavement
Duties- If you need a nanny for duties such as after school classes, shopping, cooking, cleaning etc, you need to let your nanny be aware of their responsibilities during the interview.
Any rules or regulations: Operating a mobile, taking photographs, bringing people they know to their house, etc…
Mileage costs if applicable
If interviewing for a live in position, show candidate around the house, and what rooms she can use or not use. Also let them know what times they can use the rooms (if applicable).
2. Introducing your family
It is important to give your nanny information about your household. Not only your children, but the whole family.
This could include:
Allergies:
Intolerances:
Have a look at the NHS website for more information regarding allergies and intolerances.
3. Religious needs: Ie- Does your child eat Halal or Kosher food? Do they pray at a certain time?
4. Any medical issues that you or your children may have.
5. Hobbies and interests: Does your children have any out of school activities?
6. Child’s daily routine
3. checking your nannies cv
When asking your nanny questions about her relevant experiences and qualifications, it is important to read through her CV to check that it matches what she has written, and to ask any further questions you may have in addition to what is written.
What age group do you or have you worked with previously?
What activities do you do with them?
Why did you leave?
What did you enjoy most/least about the job?
What would you consider your strengths and weaknesses?
You should also read through the nanny's written references and contact them if you feel the need to (remember, Busy Kiddies have already contacted these references prior to this so you may not have to do this, however if you would like peace of mind, you are more than welcome to do this again).
4.ASKING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Use open ended questions to get more information from your nanny when they answer. Using questions starting with, ‘where, when, how, why, who’ will enable longer answers with more details.
Have a look at some of our sample questions that you may find of use:
why a nanny?
Why have you chosen to be a nanny?
What are the qualities of an amazing nanny?
What is the most fun thing about being a nanny?
What do you not enjoy being a nanny?
HOW DO YOU PLAN ACTIVITIES?
Based on our children’s age groups, what expectation do you have of them?
Do you have any activities planned out for what you would like to do with them?
What challenges would you plan if my child exceeds your expectations?
If my child struggles, how would you manage to support them?
Have you had any experience in potty training babies/toddlers? How do you go about potty training children (if applicable)?
How would you plan a typical day?
What activities have been successful in your duties of being a nanny?
What activities have not been successful in your duties of being a nanny? Could you tell me how you overcame this obstacle?
How would you occupy our children throughout the day?
What kind of resources will you need/use?
What meals can you prepare?
What food would you cook? Do you tidy afterwards?
Would you prepare meals or buy food prior? (Client would have to pay for this.)
Have you prepared a baby's bottle before? Used a sterilizer?
Helped to wean a baby to solid foods?
What is good/bad behaviour?
What would you do if a child threw a tantrum in a public space?
How do you promote good behaviour to children?
Discuss with your nanny your opinion of good and bad behaviour and try to understand your nanny’s opinions as well. It is important to understand if you share or understand and accept each others perspective before you continue a working relationship together.
what activities would you do during down-time?
Do you have any idea of what books you would read for our children?
How important is it that you go to the library/book shop with children?
What is your opinion on children watching television?
How do you manage in an emergency?
What would you do if a child was choking?
When did you last update your first aid training?
What would you do if a child was choking on an object?
How would you cope if a child had a fever and began throwing up?
What would you do if a child had cut themselves?
5. gIVING YOUR NANNY AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS
It is important to give your nanny a chance to ask you questions. It also shows that they are eager and have been considering any dangers or risks or just may be thinking ahead which shows some level or organisation and preparation.
Definitely encourage your nanny to ask questions about you and the family set up, specific details about the jobs, routines, hours etc. The more questions, the better, you want your nanny to be totally comfortable and know all of her roles for her services.
6.FINISHING UP
We also suggest having 5/10 minutes of the child care professional with your children. You will be required to stay in the room for the first visit, in order to transition your child (particularly if they are at a young age or are vulnerable). This helps to see if there is a positive bond with both parties and can give you added peace of mind. Remember, bonds will not be created in a day so give it time, however, this first visit helps to break the ice and gives your child/children some familiarity.
Once you have got all the information needed, and your nanny also has said what she needs to say, you can start talking about the next steps.
If you have other nannies on your list and are still unsure, assure your nanny that you will respond back to them as soon as you interview the others. Alternatively, if your nanny has other clients they may be seeing, then give them the opportunity to see other people and give them a date (within a week is preferencial) that you will contact them.
If you are adamant that you want them, you can be honest and discuss that you are keen to begin as soon as possible if they are happy to work with you. Discuss start date and what you will require from him/her on their first day.
Once the interview is over please contact Busy Kiddies and let them know that you wish to employ the nanny, we will finalise all the details, draw up invoices and send it through to you and send the nanny all of the relevant information they may need also.
If you are not happy or have any questions, feel free to contact us and we will gladly take on your feedback and give them to our nannies. Remember, we have a range of nannies available and we can match you with a suitable nanny if you are unsure.