Being inundated with replies to my advert for a nanny - how do I start sorting them?

[FeelingLucky]

Only put the advert on gumtree 10 minutes ago, and I have the same number of replies!
Thing is, if they phone up, what questions do I ask.
Also, what questions do I ask in interview?

Any tips much appreciated.
TIA

What are you looking for..maybe sort them out into who is qualifed? how many years experience? english MT? those sorts of things..What are you looking for?

How well did you like the candidate?
How closely do their ideas about childcare match your own?
How well did your children like them?
How well did they react towards your children?
How easy would it be for you to share you home with them?
How well did they meet your expectations?
Professional

How good are their qualifications?
How good is their knowledge of childcare?
How good is their first aid knowledge?
How committed to being a Nanny were they?
How well did they answer the interview questions?
How closely did their answers match you expectations?
Background

How relevant is their previous experience?
How good were there references?
Are they experienced enough?
Suitability

How well do they match your criteria?
How keen did they seem to get the job?
How good is their availability?
How did they feel about the package on offer?
How well did you feel you met their expectations?

Thanks for coming to my rescue, Supernanny.
I know it sounds really bad, but I'm not that interested in qualifications. I suppose I'm keen on enthusiasm and common sense. There is one lady who is Polish - studied law there and works as a part-time translator but wants some extra cash. Am I mad to even consider her???

X-posted.
Thanks for your list of questions, supernanny

Is your ad quite vague? I'd think carefully about what is important to you - if not quals, then experience? Do you need them to be able to register with Ofsted? Already being CRB checked and having a paediatric first aid certificate would be minimum requirements for me, plus a real desire to work with children rather than just looking for extra cash.

Yea id rule her straight out..maybe a student studying childcare..or maybe a middle aged woman looking for a few extra hours with a past of childcare history behind her...Whats you minimum age requirement.? Or someone looking to start a childcare career not just an odd job its your DD or DS were talking about

Is it a live-in or live-out job? If live-out, then screen applicants based on their address - the closer they live to you the better.
Screen based on their current location - interviewing someone already in the country will be a lot easier than someone who is abroad.
If qualifications are not of interest, screen applicants based on their prior experience.

I am assuming you are in England.
Do you need them to be CRB checked? If so, then as a private individual, how will you arrange that? If you hire a nanny privately, rather than using an agency, you can't get a CRB check done. The only way would be to get them Ofsted registered - which will require them having some childcare training, First Aid, Insurance etc.
If the job is part-time, then enquire about what the applicant would be doing the rest of the time... will they be able to earn enough to support themselves?
Do they know the area well, know where to go for activities, places to visit. If you need a driver - what driving experience do they have?

I would want a childcare qualification and maturity to be top of my list, I know a brilliant girl who travelled for 40 mins a day to work with us.

Thanks everyone.
Yes, am screening based on address. We're doing CRB check via a job my DH is working on (too complicated to explain here). One of the reasons we're going private is that the agencies didn;t do CRB checks.
I'm going to insist on visiting candidates in their own home (think you get a better sense of them like that) and then do second interviews in my home.

I suppose instinctively, I'm not that bothered about qualifications or first aid because I don;t have any myself, and I do alright looking after DD. I didn't even know how to change a nappy before she was born! But then DH says it's different becasue I'm the Mom

I have to say, feeling lucky, there is no way I would let a prospective employer (that got my details through the internet) into my home as a first interview.

If people get my details from the web (rather than an agency) I will only meet them in a neutral place like a play centre or coffee bar.

There are some weird people on the internet - why would I let a stranger into my home?

I wouldn't agree to an interview at my home either! No employer of mine has ever wanted to come to my house, and I would rather keep my home life private.

Why on earth would they let you into their homes, that's just odd.
I've interviewed for Director Level at Starbucks before now, would you agree to your employer having a look around your house ?

omg - thanks for putting me right.
now I'm a bit less frazzled, I do think it's a bit rude to go to a potential employees home.
I'll get her to come here

Or meet somewhere neutral.

I prefer that if not through an agency - feels much safer!

i agree

maybe somewhere neutral for 1st interview,
then at your home for those you wish to see again ( meet the children etc etc)

i have mostly gone to the families home,but sometimes met for a coffee etc

x

great you got many replies

but are they what you asked for in the ad?

def interview in coffee house etc = i wouldnt want a stranger off the internet coming to my house - though tbf i go to theirs

I suppose instinctively, I'm not that bothered about qualifications or first aid because I don;t have any myself,

quals maybe no, but DEF employ someone with first aid - and tbh you and dh should really do a course - just in case