How to Create The Best Nanny Interview Checklist
August 7, 2019
When it comes to hiring a nanny, there’s nothing more important than getting to know the person you’re interviewing. After all, they may be the one who will care for your child soon. Interviews allow you to meet face-to-face with a potential nanny and provide the perfect opportunity for you both to get to know each other on a personal and professional level.
But what if you’ve never had to conduct an interview before? That’s where things can get tricky. Interviews, though simple in structure, often have multiple steps that can make planning and conducting one hard to handle — especially if you’re trying to take care of your kids throughout the whole process. But never fear! CanadianNanny.ca is here!
In this article, we’ve compiled a complete list of tips and tricks into a comprehensive “how-to” guide and your own master checklist for nanny interviews. If you want to learn more about conducting a nanny interview, finding the perfect fit for your family’s needs, and all the do’s and don’t of nanny interviews, read on!
Before the Interview
Before you even begin the interview process, you need to have a clear idea of what it is you need. Being prepared with all the right information in advance of an interview is critical if you want to have the best interview possible.
So what do you need to know? Start by mapping out the “5 W’s:”
- Who are you looking for? Understand the type of nanny and the personality you feel would be the best fit for your family.
- What will they be required to do? Create a clear outline of their duties and responsibilities.
- Where will they be living? If you are hiring for a live-in position, you need to be able to provide full details on their accommodations.
- Why do you need a nanny? Outline all the reasons that your family will benefit from having a nanny to better prepare both yourself and the nanny for a successful interview.
- When do you need a nanny to start? Pick a date and stick to it. Also be sure to know how long you’ll need a nanny for (i.e. only a summer, or permanently).
Another step is to do some reading up on proper interview techniques to get a better feel for how things should go. For some helpful resources, check out these articles:
During the Interview
An important thing to remember about interviews is that they are about getting to know each other. A sign of a great interview is when both parties leave feeling like they have a full understanding of how you might be able to work together.
Ultimately, an interview is both about ensuring the candidate understands the responsibilities of the role they are applying for and for you to get to know them and their abilities. That is why you should always be prepared to create the right environment for a successful interview.
Eliminating distractions, creating a welcoming environment, being open and honest about the role’s requirements, and understanding that they’re likely a little nervous goes a long way in setting the stage for a positive interview experience for you both.
If you’re struggling to come up with the right questions to ask, check out these helpful guides to all the nanny interview questions you may need to know:
After the Interview
During an interview, it’s always good to observe a nanny’s behaviours and make note of how they answer specific types of questions. By the end of an interview, you should be able to answer the following questions about them:
- What are their interests?
- How does their previous experience help your family?
- What special skills do they possess?
- How do they show respect and professionalism throughout the interview?
If you can answer all of these questions with confidence, you may have found the right nanny. However, it’s always good to back up that gut feeling with some examples from previous employers. Be sure to get a list of references you can contact to ensure that the nanny you saw in your interview is the nanny that others have seen as well.
You may also want to invest some time in having the nanny come in for a trial day. This will help you observe in advance how they interact with your children and give your kids the chance to say yay or nay to the potential hire as well.
Whether or not you choose to do a nanny trial, ultimately, your gut feeling is what you need to follow. As long as you feel they will be a good fit, you’re all set to offer them the job.
The Ultimate Nanny Interview Checklist
Before the Interview:
Make notes on:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Who you are looking for<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What they will be required to do <br>
<input type="checkbox"> Where they will be living/working<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Why you need them<br>
<input type="checkbox"> When you need them to start<br>
</form>
Arrange:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> An interview time<br>
<input type="checkbox"> An interview location<br>
</form>
Obtain:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> A method of contacting them (i.e. phone/email) in case you need to contact them or reschedule in advance of the interview<br>
</form>
Will your child(ren) be in attendance?
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Yes<br>
<input type="checkbox"> No<br>
</form>
If no:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Arrange alternative care for your child(ren) to avoid distractions in the interview<br>
</form>
If yes:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Inform the interviewee that a portion of the interview will be with your (child)ren in attendance<br>
</form>
During the Interview:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Create a welcoming environment by offering them water, coffee, or tea<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Put your phone away<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Discuss the role and the responsibilities expected <br>
</form>
General Questions:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Ask about family background – parents, brothers, and sisters.<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Where did you spend your early years?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What are your hobbies and interests?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What do you consider to be your greatest strengths?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What do you consider to be your greatest weaknesses?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What are your greatest accomplishments?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What is your current position and why do you want to leave?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What are you looking for in your next position?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What are your long-range goals?<br>
</form>
Childcare Knowledge:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Why did you choose to become a nanny?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What qualities do you have that make you a good caregiver?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What do you enjoy about looking after children?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> How many years of experience do you have with infants/toddlers?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Do you have experience with potty training?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What kinds of activities would you do with (age of your child) year old?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> How would you handle crying or a temper tantrum of a child this age?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Are you interested in taking the children to programs in the area?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> When do you think it’s okay for the children not to be supervised?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Are you comfortable working with the children with homework?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Are you interested in occasional caring for other children during play dates?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What do you find the most challenging or interesting part of working with children?<br>
</form>
Open-Ended Questions:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Olivia (2) is a happy child, has a good demeanour and is feeling well when her parents leave for work in the morning. Everything is going well, but by noon, you are alarmed to note that she has a high temperature and begins vomiting in the playroom. What do you do?<br>
<p><br></p>
<input type="checkbox"> Jackson (2) has been playing in the garden. When you bring him inside, you notice that a small tick has bitten his neck, and a portion of the bug is still inside Jake’s skin layer. What do you do?<br>
<p><br></p>
<input type="checkbox"> Describe a past situation where a young child’s behaviour has become out of control. How did you handle the situation? What would you have done differently?<br>
<p><br></p>
<input type="checkbox"> If Sophia (4) repeatedly disobeys you during a meal, throwing her food on the floor for no reason, how will you get her back to behaving at the table? What will you say or do to her?<br>
<p><br></p>
<input type="checkbox"> Michael and Ethan (6) are two twins who are constantly fighting about everything, and sometimes they get physical, hitting and tackling each other. It gets out of hand, especially in public. What would you do to prevent this behaviour?<br>
<p><br></p>
<input type="checkbox"> Isabella (5) is usually a behaved child at home, but in playgrounds and when guests are visiting, she begins to act up. She often screams for what she wants and hits other kids at the sandbox if she wants their toys. How do you handle this in public?<br>
<p><br></p>
<input type="checkbox"> The children, who have just begun to attend school, are very upset about the recent separation from their parents. It is often a big drama when their parents must leave for work. If this happens, how would you handle this situation?<br>
<p><br></p>
<input type="checkbox"> Emma’s father must be away for one week. She has had trouble in the past being separated from him. She is 8 years old and has watched a TV show about plane crashes, so is quite paranoid when her father must fly for work—besides being away from him for long. What will you tell her in order to soothe her anxiety?<br>
<p><br></p>
<input type="checkbox"> What would you do if the child refused to eat the food that her mother has put on the menu?<br>
<p><br></p>
<input type="checkbox"> What would you do if both children were crying at the same time?<br>
<p><br></p>
<input type="checkbox"> Being a nanny is usually a rewarding experience. Being a part of the child’s life, helping them grow and being a part of their development has great inner rewards and benefits. However, it is often stressful and you may end up feeling lonely having to deal with only children for long hours in the day. How do you ensure personal happiness on the job?<br>
<p><br></p>
<input type="checkbox"> When you feel that your days as a nanny become lonely and monotonous, what do you do personally to remain a pleasant and happy person for the kids and the family you work for?<br>
</form>
Other Questions:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Can you cook?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What would you cook for my children?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Are you trained in First Aid?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What would you do in the case of a blow to the head? Choking? High fever?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Do you have a driver’s license?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Are you able to drive a standard or an automatic car?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What type of car do you have?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Does it have rear seat belts?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What type of insurance do you have? (Fully comprehensive/3rd party?)<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What household tasks are you happy to perform? (e.g. nursery duties only, light housework, ironing, cooking)<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Are you willing to babysit?<br>
</form>
Employment Details:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> When would you be available to start a new position?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> What salary are you seeking?<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Are you willing/able to make a one-year commitment?<br>
</form>
At the end of the interview:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Allow time for their questions<br>
</form>
Request a list of references
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Received<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Not Received<br>
</form>
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Advise them of your expected decision date<br>
</form>
After the Interview:
Can you answer the following questions about this nanny after the interview?
What are their interests? -
How does their previous experience help your family? -
What special skills do they possess? -
How do they show respect and professionalism throughout the interview?
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Yes<br>
<input type="checkbox"> No<br>
</form>
Would you like to offer them the position?
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Yes<br>
<input type="checkbox"> No<br>
</form>
If no:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Send an email to inform them of your decision<br>
</form>
If yes:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Contact their references<br>
</form>
Do you want them to take part in a nanny trial?
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Yes<br>
<input type="checkbox"> No<br>
</form>
If yes:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Arrange a time and location for the nanny trial<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Provide them with instructions on what will be required of them<br>
</form>
If you don’t require a nanny trial:
<form>
<input type="checkbox"> Call them to officially offer the position<br>
<input type="checkbox"> Send them an offer letter via email<br>
</form>