What questions do you ask when interviewing a potential new nanny?

[Leoness]

I guess some are very obvious but this will be my first time and any pointers from you would be kindly appreciated.
Thank you

I'm sure that someone might help me?

What age appropriate routines/activities would you plan? General nanny experience. Weaning if appropriate? Some basic first aid questions? Why do you want the job and why do you think you would suit us? Interests? If live in, ask about boyfriends/ friends staying etc? Also go through the basics of the job ie. hours, duties including anything extra you may want done ( picking up dry cleaning/running errands/feeding the dog etc) as some nannies will and some nannies won't do anything not considered 'nursery duties'. Ask their views on discipline/ manners / general acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. I would want to see someone get down to the childrens level and interact with them at some stage during the interview but it's also good to get most of the questioning done without the children around as they can be distracting. If you're not going through an agency definately check references thoroughly. Also if driving is part of the job, check how long they've had their licence for and whether it's clean. There must be lots of other questions but hope these help for starters.

are you on facebook

I've keep typing and deleting it, sorry, not being very helpful

Ebb suggestions sound good

this is a bump for you

Cat me for my list. I think you have to tailor questions to what is important to you. My priority areas are helathful eater and ative person. So I ask a alot about the healthclub membership I offer and about what they like to eat. If they say Lasagna, find out if they actually know how to make it of if they think it comes in a box from M&S.

Oh and tidiness... God that get more and more important all the time. (My current nanny is tidy, previous two were not and all I can honestly say is thank God for current nanny!!)

We tend to ask questions that can lead them to talk more about themselves and previous jobs without having to answer a strict question with a "give me an example of" type scenario - that's always a bit stiff and you will gain more of a sense of them as people if you get a relaxed atmosphere and just get them talking.

I ask why they got into childcare in the first place, that's often a good starting point.

Thank you - sorry got busy for a while.

Ebb Athena Poodle you have some great suggestions Thx

I'm really pleased I asked already

Athena thank you I don't have CAT set up at the moment

I always ask a question to check their first aid knowledge. It should be appropriate to your child's age - there are some excellent nannies on here who will give you the right answer if you do not know it yourself!

And asking what they like least about childcare gets some interesting answers.