This is probably a stupid question, but can I ask a prospective nanny...

If you are a very religious family and religious activities (social or ritual) take up a large part of your lives to the extent that a nanny will have to have some involvement, then it is a good idea to mention this in the advert/interview but making it about you ie 'we are very involved with the church fetes/choir practice/protesting outside new age shops or whatever, you may have to take the DC along, is that OK with you?' THus giving the prospective nanny the opportunity to decide whther or not this conflicts with any religious or ethical attitudes of her own. If a nanny is prepared to take the DC to and from relevant events or attend with them, whatever her personal opinions of religion, you can't actually refuse her the job on relibious grounds.

How about sending any prospective nannies a questionaire which just happens to include a question on religion and whether they're practising or not?

That way you might just seem like a considerate enployer who is trying to be as accomodating as possible

If you ask for CV's, then you may get that info on the CV. Are you finding that CV's contain that info these days?

Once you have got your short list, can't see why you can't raise religion in general discussion about the job. While it may be not be legal to choose based on a applicants religion, if they happen to match your's - then they will rank higher up on your list. After all, parents employing a nanny are wanting a good match.

I have in the past been asked what my religion is at interviews, usually where the family are religious themselves and want to ensure their children are brought up in the same ethos. It's also a standard question on agency questionnaires I've answered.

So I wouldn't say you're being unreasonable as long as you word it cleverly. Saying your preference is for a Christian nanny is merely stating your preference....

HOWEVER I warn you my reply is something along the lines of "I am a Christian but irrespective of my personal beliefs I will do my best to adhere to your instructioss regarding the religious education of your children, and have no objection to taking the children to faith-centred activities" and I would be inclined to object if someone rejected me on religious grounds having given that answer, so I think you'll have to be careful.

Perhaps the way to go is advertising in the Christian newspapers. My parents got one of ours from a Methodist circular (and yes, we were a religious family, and my parents preference was for a practising Christian).

On Gumtree Guildford today, I spotted two adverts which both mentioned Christian Family... so perhaps that is a way to phrase things.

Au pair wanted for start late Feb, lovely 2 year old twins in Christian family
Nanny Au Pair Start 2nd Jan - this one mentions Christian Family in the adcopy.

I am not a christian, but I was brought up on/off church-going (not CofE though, would this matter to you?) if a prospective employer decided not to go with me because I was the wrong religion I would be horrified. If all you are looking for is social aspects, this is a terrible way to look for a nanny! If it was a question of specific diet eg jewish then you have more grounds, but decididng a nanny is better because they are a particular religion is madness. You may find a lovely CofE girl who turns out to be shy and doesnt mix easily.

As to nannies mixing with parents, its up to the nanny and parent involved! How can you pust two people together just because they are of the same religion! Its personality, and the children, that count.

Requesting that a nanny attend religious events etc is up to you but could you legally make it a part of the job? I know parents have many different requirements of their nannies but this may be a bit too far.

I've been asked on nanny agency paperwork but i don't answer. Tbh i don't think its anyones business but thats my view of course. I would go along the lines of explaining about dc's school and would it be a problem doing all the things that are envolved in that etc etc. Or if you do really want a christian nanny then in the job advert say you are a christian family and you might get more replies from christian nannies.

All the nanny agencies ask this question on their questionnaire, I don't know if this information goes out to families but I don't think anyone would mind if you asked tbh.

Good luck, your children are adorable so shouldn't be a problem.

Ali

As a Christian myself can I suggest the following ( or a similarly worded question)

" Our family are regular church attenders and, acordingly our children will attend a church of england school. Can you talk me through how you would encourage their participation and involvement in church/school activities?"

It's very wordy - I blame that on the copious amounts of wine I have consumed- but you get the idea!

i have seen on another job site a family asking for a muslin nanny so if thats ok then i don't see why you can't ask for a c.o.e

source See top of page 45.

As it is a 'personal service' it is possible that a court could rule that a nanny should share the family religion. However, there is no exemption for this in law from what I can see, so it is up to an individual judge, if anyone refused the job took it that far.

I think like nannynick says ensure that you make it clear that you are a practising Christian family and they may be have to attend christian religious events at the school as part of Nanny duty.

I don't think you're allowed to ask unfortunately, but whatever, I think it is lovely trying to give the nanny the smoothest ride possible in being able to settle with your family.

Make it clear in job advert that you are a practising Christian family, could help deter some applicants.

You can't ask What religion do your practice?
But you could ask: What days are you available to work? (ie. Sundays, or do they go to church?)

You could ask applicants to submit a CV... some may include religion on their CV. They are then providing that information to you, rather than you asking for it

Totally unnecessary question; it's up to her how much she wants to hang out with the other parents - don't see what it has to do with you, and anyway her religion won't have anything to do with her ability to make friends with other parents or carers. When you interview her, you can get an impression of how easily she gets on with other adults, but I would have thought it would be a much lower priority than how she gets on with and cares for your children.

Nope, you can't ask it at the recruitment stage, as you can't discriminate because of it.

You can ask later if you offer her the job

I think the question is on Au Pair websites because you have a duty to make sure that the AP can practise her religion.

Not sure if the same applies to other live-in employees. I wouldn't mind too much about the bonding thing though, would be shocked if the parents were cliquey enough for that to make a difference.

I don't think you can ask, if you will use the answer to make a recruitment decision.

As a nanny, I find most parents at the school gates (in my case, on the school drive) don't socialise with a nanny. Could be for many reasons, but I doubt it is religion in my case, far more a gender thing, or social class thing (private school).

I've had a candidate turn us down on the basis that she doesn't like the school. Experienced nannies are usually interviewing you as much as you are interviewing them, though possiibly younger ones will go for any job if the money is right. As for the rest of your questions I guess it depends on how you ask the question - your examples are all very "closed". More open questions eg what do you like to cook or what do you typically cook for a certain age of child may provide more insightful answers. But i digress. Have you explored whether your current nanny has any church contacts who might be interested in the job?

Ask around in your church circle.

Just say that you are a Christian family and that you want someone who is happy to spend time with other kids and their parents. That will weed out the people who wouldn't suit.