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nanny interviewing - tips needed

11 replies

boysandmoreboys · 16/03/2008 20:36

We're interviewing for a full time nanny and I'm out of practice. We've had last nanny for 3 years and just interviewed one now. Has anyone got any killer questions, tips, things that really help?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
foxinsocks · 16/03/2008 20:40

oh I was really bad at this. I ummed and ahhed and looked all uncomfortable lol.

My children can be appallingly behaved (as can they all I'm sure) so I cited some particularly horrendous examples and asked what she would have done. Whether they had anything they were particular about....then I always made sure my kids were around (after about 10/15 mins) so I could see how she/he responded to them.

jura · 16/03/2008 20:40

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nannynick · 16/03/2008 20:40

As a nanny, I far prefer practical interviews, where the parents can observe how I interact with their children.

jura · 16/03/2008 20:46

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jura · 16/03/2008 20:49

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boysandmoreboys · 16/03/2008 21:01

jura you're brilliant. that is very, very helpful. I rather moronically kept stating what I wanted and then she'd unsurprisingly say yes of course that is exactly what she is like. v useful tips. For a second interview - should I get my current (totally fab) nanny to check her out too? or is that unprofessional?

OP posts:
nannynick · 16/03/2008 21:21

Just to clarify, when I wrote earlier about a practical interview... I didn't mean that it was just interaction with the children. Parents would ask questions, but not in the formal setting of say face to face across the dining room table.

If inviting a candidate back for a second interview, Yes, having current nanny present I feel is a good thing. It gives you someone else's prospective, and it enables the nannies to have a chat about what the job is really like.

fridayschild · 17/03/2008 08:47

I would check references (ie phone the referees) while you still have more than one candidate. This stops you deciding that Nanny1 is the nanny for you, and then not wanting to hear bad news from previous employers.

If nanny is working for someone else, I wouldn't call them till she'd accepted the job. But I would ring earlier employers.

AtheneNoctua · 17/03/2008 09:29

The list has evolved a bit (as has my name!). Here is the current version.

Normally our 5 year old goes to school full time (8:50 ? 3:15, M-F). Describe a typical day?s activities when school is not in session (i.e. summer break)?

Describe a typical weekly meal plan for the children (include examples for breakfast, lunch, dinner and any snacks you may offer them, keeping in mind that our 5 year old takes her lunch to school)

How would you describe your approach to discipline?

Do you have any degrees or diplomas in childhood education? Any degrees or diplomas in other subjects? If so, what subjects?

Why do you want to work in England?

If we travel as a family within the UK, would you want to join us? What about Europe? The United States?

Do you smoke? If so, how much?

Do you have any requests in terms of the accommodation we offer you?

Are you an au pair / nanny now? If not, why have you decided to become one?

What kinds of foods do you like to eat? (Please be specific and use as much space as you need.)

Do you drink alcohol? If so, how much?

How many hours do you want to work each week?

Summarise your experience with toddlers / young children.

Would you be willing to provide overnight care of the children (in the rare event that both parents are required to travel for work during the week)?

Do you have a driver?s license? From what country? How long have you had it?

Do you own a car in the UK?

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Describe your personality?

What qualities make you well suited to be a nanny?

What is your worst habit?

Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? fiancé/fiancée? spouse? If so, where does he live?

Do you know anyone in England? Friends? Family?

What is it about our particular nanny job that appeals to you?

Would you take care of the children if they were sick? (They do not get sick a lot, I only ask as a precaution)

Do you have a credit card? A UK bank account?

Do you play any sports? Which ones? How often?

Can you provide a reference from a previous au pair/nanny/nursery job? If so, please attach to this questionnaire and/or provide contact information of previous employer(s).

How many times have you been sick in the last year? What was the illness?

Do you have any children? If so, what ages? Where do they live?

What sorts of things would you include in each entry of a nanny diary? (If it is easier to attach a sample rather than describe it here, feel free to do so)

Summarise your views on discipline, schedules, and routines for young children?

Do you wish to obtain any additional employment besides being our nanny or be involved in any other activities outside of our employment (i.e. church activities, working out, language course, other studies, etc.). If so how much time per week would you expect to spend on these activities?

Are you available for a face-to-face interview in the United Kingdom? If so, when?

What is your salary expectation?

Are you in possession of a work visa for the United Kingdom? If so, what are the restrictions?

Are you able to travel to the London area by your own means?

When would you be available to start this job?

Our almost 5 year old attends a Church of England primary school (which is affiliated with the church we attend), and our almost 3 year old will begin the nursery there in September. How might you encourage their education and participation in the Anglican community?

We are offering a membership to Amida (www.amidaclubs.com/home/hampton) with this position, if you want it and will use it. Is this something you would be interested in?

As this is a full time nanny position for two small children, there will obviously be some light housekeeping involved (children?s laundry, keeping their toys tidy and organised, etc.) What housekeeping/cleaning duties are you not willing to do?

LadyG · 17/03/2008 21:12

My last list but done for 2 yr old so may not be appropriate??
Of course I didn't ask all of them....but a few sort of gave me the idea
Routine

Would you explain how you manage to work routine with two children of different ages?

Describe a time when having a routine has been helpful to you when looking after current or previous charges

Describe a time when sticking to routine has been too restrictive in your opinion?

How do you communicate your views to (current employer parents) when you feel an adjustment to routine is necessary?

Do you have any ?top tips? about organising the day with two small children?

Activities

What have you done this week with (x and y) current charges.

What are your favourite rainy day activities for toddlers

How have you spent the day with (current charges) when one or both of them has been ill?

How do you keep x and y amused when stuck in traffic?

Food

What meals have you cooked this week for x and y

What are your favourite ways of getting fussy eaters to eat their fruit and veg?

How have you been teaching table manners to x and y

Play/Learning

What books do you enjoy reading to (x and y)

Do they watch television? What are your favourite programmes to watch

with them? Do you have rules regading if/when they are allowed to watch
TV?

How do you teach numbers/colours/letters to little ones using play and everyday activities?

What toys do you find most rewarding/played with at (your child?s age?)

What everyday activities do you like to involve (x and y) in?

Do you take ( x/y) to any classes/groups/ What do you feel they/you gain

from attending them?

Personality/ Discipline style

Do you still keep in touch with (previous charges?)

How have you/will you talk to (current charges) about your leaving the job?

Do you tend to have informal chats with (current employers) re

children/work issues or more formal meetings/reviews?

Describe to me a potentially difficult situation you feel you handled well

How do you handle tantrums?

How do you handle hitting/biting?

How do you encourage sharing?

What do you do with tired toddlers who refuse to nap?

Health and Safety

What are the most important messages you have taken away from your first aid course?

Do you feel competent to alert a parent to potential dangers in the home? Is

there anything you can see around us now that might worry you?

How would you deal with a suddenly unwell sleepy child with a cough and a

high temperature?

What steps have you taken on days where you felt overwhelmed by (for

example) an inconsolable teething baby and a very active potty training
toddler?

How do you ensure road safety when taking an active toddler out and about?

MrsRecycle · 17/03/2008 21:21

How are you?

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