Nanny interview: What do you look for

[Friedbrain]

Hello parents..

When you are interviewing a nanny, what are the main things you look for?

What kind of things put you off someone?

Many thanks

I'm a nanny but also a mum who had had childcare for ds. I know a lot of nannies and the one I don't get along with (but her employers think she's fab) is the one who is too perfect. While out with charges she is the model nanny always engaging and sociable but I know that when she's on her own she is not like that at all.
I would generally go for experience and length of time with previous employers. If she's currently in a job ask why she's leaving. If she's quick to moan about her employment then remember she could soon be moaning about you. Ask for references. Generally I've found (my employers have told me) that they got a feeling when they'd found the right nanny.

Bump :)

I've just hired a nanny (started last week).

I did believe qualifications and experience were important- but I also asked a couple of people to spend a couple of hours with my DD while I observed so I could see how they interacted with her and coped with different situations- DD is quite high needs and suffers from separation anxiety so it was always going to be a "tough" position. If you have any set views on anything- make sure you explain this to the nanny and that she is comfortable with this (e.g. I wanted to ensure a nanny was comfortable doing her nappy laundry as we use cloth, comfortable with baby led weaning and "discipline" methods I chose- not important at the moment but will be eventually and I was looking for a long term commitment from somebody) and ensure you go over what is expected of them.

In the end I actually ended up going with the one with the least experience- but she and DD "gelled" from the first second and she is great with her. I still checked her references and CRB etc- but she had been sold to me before that, I was more reaffirming what I thought about her.

Anyone else

First impressions really count, so I like someone to be smiley, offer to take their shoes off after coming in, be neat dressed (but not too smart or too wacky - I don't like odd piercings or visible tattoos either).

I like someone to come across as being confident, without being arrogant and talk about her previous childcare experience in a positive way. I'm quite relaxed with the children and I like someone who is equally relaxed, but can still ensure they behave properly.

I usually do a first interview without the children and I get the money side out of the way by email first.

I had a run of really bad interviews when we first arrived in Bucks.
nanny 1 - sat and picked her feet throughout the (short) interview.
nanny 2 - had such a low cut top that I could see one of her nipples
nanny 3 - asked at the end of the interview if they could bring her baby twins with her (even though I'd made it clear on my job ad no NWOC)
nanny 4 - luckily was perfect and we hired her.