Interviewing a Nanny

A Guide to Questions to ask when interviewing

Here are a few important questions to ask when you are interviewing nannies. If you're interviewing a lot of nannies it's usually best not to rely on your memory but to take a note of each girl's answer as you go along. If you're concerned that you may mix them up ask permission to take Polaroid photographs and pin them to sheets of paper along with their answers!

Your nanny may be the first person that you employ. Here are some points that should help you find the right person.

• Last job - Why did you leave your last job and how long were you there for?
• Qualifications - What qualifications, if any, do you have?
• CV - Can I see a CV and can you explain any gaps in it?
• References - Have you brought some written references? Can I have at least two referees addresses and phone numbers who I can call or write to myself? Note: If you are writing to referees ask them to include a photo of the nanny if possible, so you can check it's her! And do phone as well since people are more inclined to be truthful when they are speaking to you. You should be able to dectect from their voice if something is amiss. Bear in mind that it can be difficult to criticise someone in a letter in case the writer is seen to be slandering the nanny.
• Criminal Convictions Certificate - Do you have a Criminal Convictions Certificate? (CRB/Police check)
• Experience - Do you have experience with children the same age as mine?
• Activities - What activities and projects will you do with my children? What arts and crafts do you plan? Are your favourite activities free or expensive?
• Smoker - Are you a smoker, and if so will you only smoke off duty?
• Situations - What would you do in this or that situation? Make up some unusual scenarios to test her.
• Swimming - Do you swim and will you be taking my children swimming?
• Hobbies - What are your hobbies and do you play any musical instruments?
• Stay - How long do you usually stay in posts and are you looking for a long or short-term position?
• Discipline - What methods of discipline do you use? Wealden Nannies are NOT allowed to smack, regardless of the parent views.
• Live-in post - Have you ever worked as a live-in nanny before? Do you think you might be homesick?
• Live-in visitors - Do you have a boyfriend?
• Live-out post - Do you live far away for commuting to work? How will you travel to work?
• Cooking - Can you cook some simple children's meals? Are you a vegetarian or other?
• Babysitting - Will you be willing to babysit?
• Driving - How long have you held your licence? Is it clean? Would you mind taking me out in the car to check that you are a safe driver?
• Animals - Do you have any pet allergies and do you like animals? Would you be willing to walk the dog?
• First Aid - Do you have a first aid certificate? If not, are you willing to get one before starting work?
• Children - Do you have any children of your own? Will you be bringing them to work?
• Nanny Share - The job is nanny share - how do you feel about that? Or, how would you feel if the job changed and it became a nanny share?
• Duties - I may want you to do ironing for the children, get some food shopping and so on. Would this be OK with you?
• Handover - Do you object to a handover period with either my previous nanny or myself?
• Second interview - Are you willing to return for another interview and to meet the kids?

What should I be looking for at the interview?

In order to highlight the qualities and skills that you are looking for, you should prepare a job description before you start interviewing people. There are practical skills that you might need: for example, does your nanny need to be able to drive? Do you want somebody who has plenty of imagination for playing games, or who is a creative cook, a competent swimmer, or a cuddly mother figure?

A recruitment expert advises: 'It's useful to think of four or five criteria that all applicants have to meet. For example, the most important qualities for you might be that your nanny is qualified, lives within a 10-mile radius, demonstrates a strong affinity with children, is a non-smoker and has a clean driving licence.'

In a nannying job, much emphasis is usually placed on traditional values, such as reliability, punctuality and thoroughness. The nanny that you are looking for should ensure that they arrive at a job interview in good time and have all relevant paperwork with them.

Make sure that the applicant satisfies you about their work history. They should offer original documentation of their identity, their qualifications and their work history, and you should be given phone numbers of their previous employers so you can ring and talk to them.

How can I prepare for interviews?

We have already mentioned preparing a job description. Make copies so that all the applicants can have a copy too.

It's important to have some background information on your candidates before they arrive, so make sure that you spend some time reading their CVs. Try to ask one or two questions from the information that you have, in order to put nannies at their ease. Remember that they are likely to be more nervous than you are. You may want to take notes as you talk together, so have a pen and paper handy.

Find somewhere comfortable where you can sit and talk without interruptions -- don't forget to put the answerphone on, and make sure that the children are occupied or cared for.

Think in advance about the questions you will want to ask, and try to phrase your questions as openly as possible. So if you want to know how a nanny might respond to challenging behaviour, ask them to explain their views on discipline, rather than asking if they believe in corporal punishment. Check how they would respond in certain situations, and what activities might be suitable for a two or three year-old. Try to manage the interview without getting sidetracked and spending twenty minutes talking about something irrelevant. Although sometimes this can give an idea of the nanny’s character, sense of humour etc. see below. Don't accept the first answer to a question if you are not satisfied with it. Think of different ways of asking for more information. Remember that this is a two-way process and give your nanny plenty of opportunities to talk about themselves and ask questions about the job. The more they talk, the more you will get to know them. You should be listening far more than talking.'

How long should I expect to spend on an interview?

You should give yourself at least an hour and, if your children are around, too, you may want longer. Try not to fill your day to capacity with interviews it could be a false economy to try to squeeze in too many and then forget who said what. Interviewing three nannies in a day is plenty. You may wish to ask their permission to take their picture, in order to remind you.

Should my children be at the interview?

On the one hand, it's important that you see how your children react to all shortlisted nannies. On the other hand, an interview that is conducted around the children will make it difficult for you to concentrate completely on the job in hand. It will also be a distraction to any nanny when they are trying to give their fullest replies to you

A full-time working mother says, 'I get the children to show the nannies around the house. In that way, I can talk to them alone at first, and then I can see them with the children. The children love to show off their bedrooms and toys and good nannies take a genuine interest in them and their favourite things.'

Can I ask a nanny to do a trial run?

This a sensible idea. You could ask them to come and spend a day with you and the children. If you sit down for your meals together, you will begin to build a fuller picture of them. It will also give your partner an opportunity to meet them and offer a second opinion. If you do this, you should of course pay the nanny for their time, and if they are travelling any distance, you should cover their expenses, too.

'I look for happy people who love children. I think you should always be led by gut instincts, even if there is no reason on paper for not being sure about someone. I also think it is very important that you actually like and respect the nanny, even if they have different aspirations to you. You have to be able to get on with them.'

Decide the ground rules acceptable to you and the terms you wish to offer

• Salary - The salary you're offering.
• Hours - The hours you want the nanny to work.
• Sole charge or supervised - Will the job be sole charge and, if not, will you be around a lot of the day.
• Duties - What her duties will be and what you expect of her.
• Activities - Whether your child has any planned daily activities.
• Overtime - If there will be overtime or babysitting required and the notice you will give for both. Also the hourly rate for these services.
• Notice - What notice you require and what notice you will give for termination of the job.
• Holiday - How many days holiday you will be providing a year and when they will be taken. For a full time position it is usual to split the 20 days entitlement into 10 days to suit your diary and 10 days of their choice, but this must be mutually agreed and stated in the contract.
• Car - Whether you're providing a car, if it's available for home use, and if you'll be paying for the petrol, tax and insurance.
• Kitty money - How much kitty money you will provide per week for activities.
• Sick pay - How many days sick pay you give, and for how long you will pay full salary.
• Dietary requirements - If your child has any special dietary requirements or allergy.
• Maternity leave - If you're planning to have more children.
• Accommodation - If you're looking for a live-in nanny, what accommodation you are providing.
• Curfews and visitors - If you're looking for a live-in nanny, what your rules are about curfews and off duty visitors.
• Dress code - If you require your nanny to dress a certain way, or if you wish her to just be comfortable and be able to mess around with the kids.
• Second interview - If you want the nanny to come for a second interview and spend some time with the kids.