Nanny interview questions?

[September1980]

I've arranged an informal Zoom interview with a potential new part-time nanny for my baby DD tomorrow. Using the Bubble app - has anyone used this? DBS and references all checked by the app so I'm wondering about what I should be asking her?

She is quite young (23) but seems to have some really good and relevant experience. What questions should I include in our chat?

I usually start by going through the basics first after the few pleasantries - so check she can do the times and the hours that you need. Is she fitting the job around another job? If she doesn't have paediatric first aid would she go on a course.

Then a few open ended questions about the work she's done previous, what she enjoyed and didn't enjoy. Focus on experiences she's had with babies and slightly older so weaning, potty training etc.

Ask how she'd structure the day with your DD.

I also ask a "what would you do in an emergency" question too.

I'd always check references yourself, I found that out a few years ago with an agency who just couldn't be arsed. Often you find out more if you ring the referee and you can ask anything that you're not sure about after your interview.

Hope it goes well.

Very helpful, thank you

Like pp, I tend to make up a couple of emergency scenarios and have the nanny talk through how they would deal with them. If their first response is that they would call me, I don’t employ them!

I also ask them what they would do if a parent asked them to do something that they didn’t agree with - like leaving a baby to cry it out, for example. Response to that can be quite telling.

I also like to ask a bit about them - what their hobbies are, what they watch on tv etc just to get a feel for who they are. I was slightly put off when one nanny said that she loved true crime... But she was our much loved nanny for four years!