Nanny references: what to ask?

[Eleusis]

Give me some idead please! I'm talking to a Canadian girl who doesn't quite tick all the boxes on experience, but she is high on the "clique factor". She's got some childcare experience, but not full time, and not live in.

So, what should I ask the references? Any ideas welcome.

I've given up on nannies myself but I recall that book about nannies (that YOU recommended, eleusis) had lots of great ideas for interviewing the reference, including some telling "either,or" questions-that would be very revealing about the nanny's likely reaction to different situations. I.E neither answer was ideal. I don't have my book anymore or would be more specific.

Okay, I coming round to messy nanny is not quite so bad. And of course no one is prfect so what am I stressing about.

Now, just need to clear the hiring decision through DH, who will no doubt say something like, "ok, if you say so, can I have Rost chicken for dinner tonigh?" And then next week, he'll ask me how the nanny hunt is going.

I'm sure she won't be that messy!

My Employers are messy on the weekend but I love them nonetheless!

Right, I've talked to DH who (not surprisingly) had basically no opinion and said I was free to do whatever I thought best. So, I'm going to overlook the untidy thing and go for it. (and put up with the possibility of constantly having to ask her to tidy up)

Anyway, decision made... now let's just hope she accepts the job. Fingers crossed...

questions i just asked:

I am writing to you to ask for a reference for xxx. She is

hoping to spend the summer with us in the UK as an au pair for our 2
yr old boy.

How long have you known xxx?

What experience has she had with you looking after children?

What ages of children has she looked after for you?

Could you comment on her tidyness and willingness to do household
jobs?

Punctuality?

Reliability?

Health - has xxx had much time off sick?

General personality
and I got great answers! in french though so had to run it via a translation service!

Eleusis-do you mean that your DH will still remember you were looking for a nanny NEXT WEEK?

Oh good point Majorstress, might have to remind him over the weekend.

Yippee... she accepted.

Nanny hunt complete. (unless she backs out just before she gets here) She better not!!