We have a guide to finding the perfect caregiver for your family here.
Once you get to the interview stage, you need to prepare your questions. Here we have summarised some potential questions to get you started. Dont forget, you dont need to ask all of these (that would be a long interview!), but choose ones that are important to you and don't forget you can add your own ones too.
Personal questions
These questions can be used to gain a better understanding of the nanny as a person.
Remember – this list doesn’t cover everything you may want to know before you hire a nanny. Be specific and tailor questions to your situation, but also remember to be thorough to get a well-rounded idea of who your potential nanny is as a person
Why did you decide to become a nanny?
Have you always wanted to work with children?
What made you decide to pursue a career as a nanny?
Tell me about yourself?
What do you enjoy least about being a nanny?
In your opinion, what makes a good nanny?
Tell me about your childhood and any siblings you have?
What hobbies do you engage in outside of work?
Do you do sports, play musical instruments, have any specific hobbies, [insert other activity that is important to your family]?
Do you have transport?
Qualifications and experience
These questions will help you gauge what the nanny has done before and whether their experience is enough for the role.
How long have you worked as a nanny?
What is your education level?
Do you have any childcare qualifications? Are your current qualifications accredited?
Are you Ofsted-registered?
Do you hold a current paediatric first aid qualification and if not, are you prepared to attend a course if offered the job?
Do you have a valid DBS check?
Are you fluent in any other languages? If so, would you be comfortable speaking in another language to the children?
Do you hold a full, clean UK driving license and if not, please explain?
Do you know how to swim?
What age groups have you cared for?
What is your favourite age to care for? Why?
What has been your best childcare job?
Do you see yourself working as a nanny and continuing your childcare education in the long term or do you have other career aspirations?
Where do you see yourself in the next few years?
Have you had potty training experience, and how do you go about potty training children (if applicable)?
Have you prepared a baby's bottle before? Used a sterilizer? Weaned a baby onto solid food?
What is your experience with children who have/need/are [insert specific situation]?
Do you have other work or life experience that helps you as a nanny?
What qualities do you have that make you a good nanny?
Previous nannying roles
You should also read through the nanny's CV, and if applicable any written references, and raise any questions you may have in relation to those.
What was your most recent position? If there was a gap, what did you do in that time?
Why did your last role end?
What was your typical daily routine with your last family?
Was it a sole charge position, or were there elements of sole charge?
What were some of the best things about your previous job? The worst?
Have you had negative work situations? If so, what have you learned from them?
How have you handled difficult situations, like a baby crying uncontrollably or a child making cheeky comments?
Have you ever had a childcare emergency? What happened?
What was your longest stay with a family? What was your experience with them?
Are you looking to stay long-term with a family or what is your time frame for your next position?
What was the most challenging experience you had with a child you were taking care of?
Have you ever had to handle an emergency or been witness to a life-threatening situation with a child? If yes, what happened and how did you react? Or, if not, what would be your plan of action?
Tell me about the work style of your past employers. Was it a casual environment, or was there a strict schedule?
What additional duties did you perform in your previous jobs? Did you do any light cleaning or run household errands?
What do you enjoy most about being a nanny?
What do you enjoy least about being a nanny?
Have you got any previous experience with special needs (autism, ADHD or other conditions)?
Have you got any previous experience with medication (insulin, emergency epilepsy medication, inhalers or generic medication when a child is ill)?
Have you got any previous experience with your family, school or professional situations (divorce, a recent move, hectic work schedules, a child who needs support at school, etc.)?
What is one of your favorite memories from working with your last family/child?
What was your worst experience when caring for a child? How did you handle it?
Why do you prefer working as a nanny rather than in a childminding or nursery setting?
Do you have experience caring for pets?
Their nannying style
Your nanny is likely to be spending a lot of time with your children, so it’s important their approach to caregiving aligns with yours – these questions will help you to gauge that
Discipline is an area that needs to be discussed upfront to avoid any differences of opinion on how the children should be disciplined - as the parent, you should be telling the nanny what you find acceptable or unacceptable in terms of disciplining your children.
How would you plan a typical day?
What are your favourite activities with children?
What do you think are the qualities needed to be a good nanny?
How do you expect a nanny's role to change as the children get older?
What is your view of disciplining a child? What should be the nanny’s role?
How would you think to approach planning menus and buying the food?
How do you feel about children watching television or playing video games?
Do you prefer more or less structure in your day? What do you think works best for children?
What kind of educational activities would you provide a child of this age group?
What would you do if a young child locked themselves inside the car?
What would you do if a child was choking?
How would you comfort a crying baby?
How would you find ways to be helpful when traveling with children on a plane?
How would you make a certain task exciting or easier for a child who doesn't like?
How often would you use the library?
What would you do with a child that threw a tantrum in the middle of a shop?
How do you introduce good manners to children?
What do you do if a child starts fighting another at the playground?
What do you do if a child is bullying others?
What do you do if a child isn't enjoying or participating in an activity?
What parenting styles do you have experience with at your past jobs?
Has a child lied to you? What did you do?
Your nanny role
Why are you interested in this job?
What are you looking for in your next position?
Do you have any questions about the job description?
How flexible is your schedule? Would you be available if we occasionally need you to arrive early or stay late?
What is your approach to planning meals for the week?
What kind of food would you cook for our children?
When you consider a job offer, what qualities do you look for in a family to decide whether it’s a good fit?
What notice period do you need to give in your current position?
Are you willing to cook/do light housework/take care of pets/[insert other task]? Does your salary requirement increase if so?
How would you occupy our children during the day?
What kind of equipment or materials would you need?
Do you know your way around my town/city/neighborhood?
Are there any activities or responsibilities that you can’t or won’t do?
Are you comfortable with the physical demands associated with the position?
Are you comfortable reviewing or assisting with homework?
In view of our children's ages, what areas of development would you be concentrating on, and what sort of activities would be suitable?
How do you keep a parent updated about their child's day?
What sort of books do you think would be appropriate for our children?
Are you willing to stay overnight with the children if required?
What do you see as the greatest risks to the children at this age, in and out of the home?
What outdoor activities would you do?
Questions from the nanny
Encourage the nanny to ask questions about you and the family set-up, specific details about the jobs, routines, hours etc. Do not be surprised if nannies come armed with a list of questions to ask.
Questions not to ask
As with any formal employee hiring process, you have to follow legal guidelines and fair and non-discriminatory practices when it comes to the questions you ask. Even though hiring a nanny is a highly personal decision, you cannot ask a candidate about aspects such as the following:
Age.
Race/ethnic background.
Religious views.
Sexual orientation.
Marital status/plans on becoming pregnant.
Health or any disabilities.
Spent convictions.
If these things come up in the course of the conversation, they cannot be claimed as justifiable grounds for not hiring the candidate.