Care Com Nanny Interview Questions

Question : What Are Your Weaknesses

When answering this question, balance being truthful about your weaknesses with highlighting your strengths, Mathurin recommends.

She offers this example: Im very committed to my job, though as you know, working with children can be stressful. I want to help the family and be there for them and make sure theyre content, but occasionally I find myself not being able to say enough is enough or no. For example, if Ive had a tough week and am exhausted and Im asked to work on Saturday, its hard for me to say no even though I need that day off.

This response doesnt make you seem weak, Mathurin says. Instead, it shows youre very committed to the family you nanny, and it also opens the door for you to discuss setting healthy boundaries in the future.

She says these honest acknowledgments that caring for children can be stressful makes you appear more trustworthy.

I think we forget that the people were being interviewed by are actually human beings like us who get stressed and who understand caring for children is a lot, Mathurin says.

Are You Fluent In Any Other Languages If So Would You Be Open To Teaching It To The Kids

While having a nanny teach your child a second language isnt a must, it can be a nice bonus. Its worth asking if candidates are fluent in anything aside from your main language, and if they are willing to teach it to your children.

Being multi-lingual never hurt anyone, and kids can often pick up new languages fast, so why not seize the opportunity if it comes around? Just be aware a multi-lingual nanny usually commands a higher pay rate.

How To Become A Nanny

To become a Nanny, no education or degree is required. However, CPR and first aid certification are commonly required. The International Nanny Association has adopted following basic standards.

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have done high school
• Must bear a good general health with proof of immunizations
• Must able to work legally in the country where they work
• Must influence the lives of children in a positive way under their care
• Experience in babysitting or daycare
• Not necessary but degree in early childhood education or elementary education count as a credit

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S To Hiring A Nanny Through Nannycarecom

The biggest benefit of using NannyCare.com is that its easy to find nannies in your area. Weve created a place where nannies and families can easily connect.

Step 1: Contact Nannies Through Private Message

Your job is easy. You just contact nannies through private messaging and introduce yourself. Take notes and always go with your gut.

Some things to discuss in the email:

• How many children need care and what their ages are
• Your job days and hours
• What pay rate youre offering
• Date that your job starts
• Where you are located
• Whether youre looking for someone long or short term
• Whether or not you need any housekeeping or cooking
• If your job requires any driving

Step 2: Phone Interview

Step 3: Decide If You Want To Interview The Nanny In-Person

After your phone interview, decide if youd like to move forward and meet this nanny in person. For the ones you want to decline, politely reply something like, Thank you for your interest in our position. At this time, we will not be moving forward with an in-person interview but wish you the best.

Step 4: Background Check Your Nanny

Every family should run an extensive background check before they make a hiring decision. Nannies can purchase a preliminary background check through our site. We can also run a more extensive check at their request through our a la carte background check services . We can add County criminal searches, Federal searches and a DMV check.

Step 5:

Questions To Ask A Potential Nanny About Training Education And Background

• Why did you get involved in child care work?
• How long have you been a caregiver?
• Do you have CPR or baby first-aid training?
• What is your education level?
• Have you taken classes in child care? Would you be willing to take classes if presented with the opportunity?
• Are you fluent in any other languages? If so, would you be comfortable speaking in another language to the children?

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Answer The Interviewees Questions

Once you have completed your questions, allow the interviewee the chance to ask any questions they may have about the position or even about your family.

Remember to collect any necessary documentation, credentials, or certifications you may need. Take the time to ask for at least three references or letters of recommendation.

References are an excellent way to compare notes between their former employers and what youve gathered during the interview.

Learning About Their Experience And Skills

Youve melted the ice, and youre both as relaxed as possible time to get specific.

While some nannies hold a Masters in Early Childhood Education, most dont.

Think beyond formal education to what other life skills they bring. Maybe theyve worked in a nursery and can help your kids start a veggie garden. Or maybe they have a drama background and can spearhead a play with your kids as the leads.

You might ask some of these example nanny interview questions:

• Tell us a bit about your background.
• Tell us about some of your other jobs. What skills did you learn?
• Are you fluent in more than one language? Which ones?
• Do you have CPR and first aid training? If not, are you willing to get them?
• Have you taken any courses, or do you have any other certifications?

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Do You Have Experience With Kids Who Have Particular Dietary Or Medical Needs

Even if your kids dont have food allergies or a medical condition, this can be a good question to ask. It lets you dive deeper into the candidates experience, and you may learn that theyve successfully navigated challenging scenarios previously.

However, if your child does have specific medical or dietary needs, this question is essential. While a candidate whos never dealt with it before could still be a good fit, it lets you gauge their perspective on the matter. And, if they do have experience, you may feel more confident in their ability to handle what can be a precarious situation.

Giving Scenarios In A Nanny Interview

A nanny has to know what to do when the unexpected happens.

Run your nanny through a few simulated scenarios and clock their response:

Scenario #1:

As you arrive at school, your four-year-old charge complains of a stomach ache. They have no other symptoms. What do you do?

Scenario #2:

Youve just put the baby to sleep when their six-year-old sibling has a tantrum about tooth-brushing. Now, the babys screaming too. What do you do?

Scenario #3:

Youre putting a newborn down for a nap. How do you place them on the bed and why?

Scenario #4:

A seven-year-old falls off their bike and complains of a sore arm. How do you respond, and in what order?

Scenario #5:

A 4-year old has melt-downs when their parents leave for work. How do you defuse the situation?

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Suggested Nanny Interview Questions

When it comes to hiring a caregiver for your child, there’s no such thing as too many questions. Use these questions as a guide and adjust to your specific family needs.

Initial contact information

overview questions

training, education, and background questions

additional questions

+ Essential Nanny Interview Questions

Knowing what to ask of a prospective childcarer can be tough. Dont worry! Weve got you covered. Check out these essential nanny interview questions.

Picking the right person to take care of your child can be really tough particularly if its your first time doing it.

Finding the right nanny interview questions to ask is all about learning exactly what you need to know to make the right choice.

Before we dive into our list of questions that might be useful to you as you get ready for your interview, well take you through how to prepare for the meeting.

In this article:

• How should I prepare for a nanny interview?
• What questions do you ask in a nanny interview?
• What are 3 qualities that most parents are looking for in a nanny?
• Questions to ask: the nanny interview

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Are You Open To Responsibilities Outside Of Childcare If So Would You Expect A Salary Increase For Handling Those Tasks

While it isnt reasonable to expect your nanny to also be a maid and personal chef, that doesnt mean some candidates arent willing to do more than care for your kids. This question just lets you find out what they are open to taking on, and if it would cost more for them to do it.

If you have something specific in mind, you can alter the question accordingly. Otherwise, leaving it general may let you learn more about the possibilities, if there are any.

Interview Questions For Nanny Or Babysitter

Interview Questions for Nanny or Babysitter

• What is your educational background and/or experiences caring for young children?
• What do you hope to gain from this experience?
• What is your philosophy on child care ?
• What do you find most rewarding about working with children?
• What do you find most challenging when working with children?
• How do you handle/balance stress in your life?
• Tell me about a time you had to deal with an emergency.
• Give me an example of a healthy meal you would serve my child.
• Tell me about a time in your childhood that you remember being happy. What was it and why did it make you feel that way?
• What do you like to do for fun?
• What might a typical day with my child look like?
• Do you have current certifications in CPR/First Aid/other?
• Would you allow me to run a criminal background check and Department of Motor Vehicle check?
• Can I have the names and contact information of three references that have seen you work with children?

If your child is an infant, you can ask the following:

• Would you pick up the baby whenever he/she cries?
• What would you do if the baby did not stop crying?
• What are some ways you would get the baby settled and/or sleeping?
• Are you aware of SIDS and how a child should be placed for sleep?
• Do you think the baby should be held when fed?
• Where might you take the baby for outdoor time?

If your child is a toddler, you can ask the following:

If your child is a preschooler, you can ask the following:

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What Is Your Opinion On Screen Time What Activities Would You Implement Away From The Screen

You can ask this question to see how interactive the childcare provider might be. If they are advocates of screen time, that could mean that they want to have little interaction with your child. Make sure the candidates you interview do not display any tendencies of neglect.

Learn more about screen time here.

Where To Interview A Nanny

Many families choose to conduct in-person interviews in their homes. Youll get to show the nanny their potential workplace and let them meet your children. If youre not comfortable with that, you can opt for a public interview in a coffee shop or similar location.

Plan for at least an hour. Start the nanny interview with an overview of your hiring process:

• Phone interview
• Nanny contracts& payroll service

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Starting With A Phone Interview

Schedule a 30-minute phone interview with your top candidates. Phone interviews allow you to introduce your family and confirm the candidates qualifications for the role.

Together, walk through the job description. Confirm the nanny understands the hours and salary.

Next, ask nanny interview questions to give you a better idea of whether the candidates can meet your basic needs.

• How much nannying experience do you have?
• Do you have your vaccines?
• Are you CPR and first aid certified, or willing to complete the training?
• Do you have any degrees or certifications related to nannying?
• What is your education level?
• Do you speak any other languages fluently?
• Do you have a drivers license and/or vehicle?
• What household chores do you feel comfortable doing?

After the phone interviews, contact the references for the nannies you are interested in. Then, narrow down your list to 3-4 nannies that you would like to interview in person.

Tell Me About Your Experience As A Caregiver

While you probably have a resume in front of you, you still want to ask this nanny interview question. It creates an opportunity for candidates to discuss details that didnt fit in their application, and can ultimately be pretty enlightening.

Ideally, the candidate wont just recite facts theyll tell you stories that highlight their best moments. And, as they do, youll be able to feel their excitement. Thats the sign of a passionate professional, and thats the kind of nanny you want.

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Questions To Ask When Interviewing A Nanny

Once you have decided which tasks you would like your nanny to do, the next step is to comb through your list of potential candidates carefully. As soon as you have chosen your top applicants, you will need to draft a list of questions to help you choose the right person for the job.

The first step to take after choosing your favorite applicants includes conducting a brief phone interview. This will help you gain a better grasp of the potential candidate. Remember to be very clear with the person you are interviewing.

Describe your family, the hours, and important details they must know about, such as any disabilities or medical needs they need to be aware of.

If possible, try to find a neutral location to have your first meeting, like a bookstore or a coffee shop. However, given the current pandemic, your initial meeting might have to be via video.

Keep in mind that this meeting will also serve as a way for you and the potential employee to learn about one another. When choosing a caregiver, you will want to feel comfortable with the person you invite into your home.

When conducting your interview, be sure to follow legal guidelines and avoid asking any questions in regards to the following:

• Financial status

Please keep in mind that all of these inquiries are acceptable before the interviewing process.

Do You Have Any Relevant Education

While it may be tempting to ask about an early childhood education degree specifically, that isnt necessarily the best move. There are plenty of degrees that could make a candidate an amazing nanny.

For example, would you be upset if your nanny was studying to be a pediatric nurse? Probably not. Similarly, having a degree in a foreign language, history, mathematics, or anything else could mean that the nanny can help your child excel in that arena.

So, ask this question instead. Let the candidate explain how their education makes them stellar nanny. You might discover that an unconventional degree is actually a great match.

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Schedule A Phone Interview First

The beauty of a phone interview is how convenient it is. You can quickly weed out candidates that are not a good fit and narrow your list down to a few who stand out. Here are some questions to consider for the phone interview:

1. Introduce yourself and the story of your family. This is an excellent opportunity to explain your family culture and to convey what energy the nanny can expect working for you. Do you travel a lot? Are you homebodies? Do your kids have busy lives? This will help guide the conversation to the next part.

2. Go over the basic job description, including expectations. Not only do you want to cover information such as hours, pay, benefits, paid time off, etc., but you want to make sure that everyone is on the same page. For example, describe aspects of care for your children that are important, such as health concerns like allergies or medical needs.

3. Ask your candidate about themselves and gauge your gut reaction. Is this someone you want to meet for an in-person interview? If so, schedule a time when you can sit down and talk more in-depth about their experience and the details of the job.