Interviewing a nanny - what should I ask

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Obviously about experience, references and confirm days and times, but a few other things have just occurred to me like whether she would prepare meals for the kids, views on watching tv, plans re taking the children out and travel costs.

So I'm now wondering if I've missed anything major (or minor) which would need to be discussed.

I have no experience of hiring a nanny, and am currently trying to navigate through the maze of tax, NI, childcare vouchers, etc.

Anyone with more experience (nannys or employers) have any advice

Sickness record, and any conditions she has that effects her ability to work.

If she has any holidays booked.

Does she have any local nanny friends.

I always think what you like least about nannying is a more revealing question than what you like most.

Strix has a very detailed list of questions

sure she will hunt it out for you

ask why the nanny wanted to be a nanny

what her good points and bad points are

a few what if first aid questions. Ie what what you do if xxxx fell off a climbing frame/was choking etc

Not sure if this is the most up-to-date version... it probably isn't but will give you some ideas for things to ask.

Nanny Interview Questionnaire
Author: AtheneNoctua
This version: March 2008

Note: Questions will need to be revised to suit your circumstances.

Questions:

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 (health club) 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?

• End -

Nanny Interview Questionnaire, by AtheneNoctua

Others have great suggestions so far and am sure you'll get lots of others - mushy brain here at the moment after having to put charge to bed due to Mum stuck in traffic jam!

But just wanted to say that nannies absolutely will cook all children's meals, it's a major part of the job. Laundry is typically included as well although you'll get the odd family who want to do it themselves.

Well found nick

make sure you know what you mean/want by nursery duties as different famikys/nannies views vary

Asking about what sort of meals they would prepare is fairly vital I feel. Also gives you an opportunity to express your views on what you consider to be appropriate food for your children, including food when on outings.

TV watching is always a tricky one as what one person considers to be some, is different to someone else's some. Quantify things, though do take into consideration that TV time may increase when a child is ill, tired.

Talking about outings is important as some nannies, like me, are Out and About nannies... taking children out a lot of the time to various places, some of which could be some distance away. My outings tend to be quite spontaneous as they are based on what a child says... this week toddler was very interested in a book about animals, so I suggested we went to the zoo. He loved it, though didn't like getting too close to the animals... even in the interactive areas.
Outings cost money, both in admission charges and in travel costs. I would suggest you decide on a weekly activities budget, then let your nanny decide what to do within that budget. Nanny then records all mileage and if you feel it gets excessive then put a limit on it.

If nanny is using their own car, ask about insurance, car seats (if you won't be supplying your own) also ask to the see the car - does it look in a good state of repair to you.

I have no experience of hiring a nanny, and am currently trying to navigate through the maze of tax, NI, childcare vouchers, etc.

Any probs there just ask. Mumsnet is a mindful of information.
As it's your first nanny, using a payroll agency can help... PAYEforNannies I find quite good, they cope with me

Advice based on my negative experiences:

You always need to check sickness records with references. Many nannies say "I've only taken a few days off" which turns out to be 15 days in the last year on checking. You need to ask specific questions (how many days) to get specific answers. If the answer to a specific Q is vague, be aware that they might be hiding something.

Ditto smoking - I had someone once who stated they "didn't smoke" which meant to me that they didn't smoke at all, but turned out they did smoke outside work. What you think of that is up to you but you need to know the facts.

Ask what nanny expects to come out of your kitty and how much - eg how often would they take kids out for lunch/tea? how much would they spend? would they buy their own lunch/tea? Would they buy toys/books/clothes out of the kitty?

Also - is she expecting to meet up with nanny friends and charges often. I had one who used to travel hours and miles to meet up with her nanny friend/s who had children who were not in the same school or age group as mine.

Will she look after sick children? How sick would she need to be to not come to work herself? Does she have nanny friends? If not, does she intent to find some and how? Has she been vaccinated for usual childhood illnesses (ie measels, chicken pox) or had the illnesses herself?

Incidentally the questionaire Nick posted (tis mine as I am AN) is intended for initial contact stage and not questions I would be asking for the first time at interview for a variety of reasons:

1- this questionaire goes out in word and one of the reasons for this is to find out if potential nanny has basic IT skills.

2- It's uite lengthy and tells me if the potential nanny is interested enough to bother with it

3- It's good for me to have all this information in writing because I can always look back and see who said what and that is very helpful because after 4 or 5 interviews sometime that is hard to recall if it is all verbal.

Ask her to do some things which think are maybe a little bit unreasonable of you, and guage her response. I look for a nanny who is accommodating but at th same time will not be pushed around. So, for exampe, if I said I'd prefer she come to work when sh has the flu, and she says okay, then I know that she will probably not tell me when I am being unreasonabe in the course of her duties. And, if that happens, she is likely to keep it all in until she is so upset she leaves. I much prefer open and honest communication. Also, I want a nanny who won't allow my 7 year old to walk all over her (and she will try I have no doubt!).

There was a thread recently about nanny and chickenpox. You might find it useful to include this question too.

Ah sorry. Just seen that this was covered by Strix.

IMG can i ask how much you think it will cost to have a nanny yearly.I am self employed so am having probs about if it will be viable

I would stick to open ended questions to get her views on things e.g. behaviour management

Scenario questions are very illuminating:

X has just bitten his sibling. What do you do?
Y won't put her shoes on. How would you deal with this?
It's a wet day. What will you do with the children?

Will you introduce her to the children? If so, watch for a nanny who gets down on the floor and interacts with them rather than focusing on you.

Asking what she liked best about her current/previous job is something she probably won't have prepared and you'll get an honest answer.

(Of course, you may be interviewing a male nanny so insert he for she where appropriate!)