Best practice for nanny interview

[Bezin]

Hello! We are first time parents and are interviewing in person this weekend 2 candidates for a nanny role
rhis will be for a sole charge role for when I return to work and the baby is 5.5 months
we had phone interviews with them and they were our 2 favourite
what are your tips for the in person ineview and trial with the baby ? (Now 3 months)

thank you!

It’s more than 30 years since I did this but the best advice I can give is to be really clear about what matters to you both and what you are happy to leave to the nanny’s judgement. If you come across as micro managing that will make it hard to attract the best candidate. But equally you are employing them to do a job so have the right to determine what/how it is done. And if the nanny doesn’t like it she’ll not take the job. You are not employing a friend - you need to like each other but it’s a job and you will both need boundaries. So be clear and don’t assume. I asked my first nanny to do laundry if she had time. She never did. It was a clear part of my second nanny’s duties, and it was up to her to find time in the working week. And she always did.

And trust your instincts. Obviously you need to check references etc but if it doesn’t feel right at interview when you are both making an effort then it will be harder to develop the relationship.

I learned a lot with my first nanny - she left after 6 months to go travelling which felt like a disaster at the time but meant I then found my second nanny who stayed with us for 10 years and is still around as a family friend. I wish you equal luck.