Choosing to hire a nanny to help take care of your child or children is a huge decision. You need someone experienced, trustworthy, reliable, and engaging. In fact, you probably have a lot of very specific things you want in a nanny.
A while back, we created and shared an entertaining list of The Top Ten Things NOT to Do When Interviewing a Nanny. While some of the items on this list are downright comical, there some truth to it all. So now, we’re flipping things around and providing you with the top 10 things that you should do when interviewing potential nanny candidates. Enjoy!
1. Understand Your Top Nanny Needs
Many parents initially have no idea what questions to ask at a nanny job interview, and that’s perfectly okay! Before you start calling candidates to meet with you, sit down with your partner or a trusted friend or family member to gain a better understanding of why you need a nanny and how a nanny could help your family.
2. Create a Nanny Interview Checklist
Busy parents tend to forget things, so don’t just let all of those thoughts float around in your head. To prepare for your interview, make a written or digital nanny interview checklist of all the things you would like in a new nanny. Here are some sample checklist items:
- Full-time experience caring for children
- Experience caring for children in the same age group as your own
- Training in first aid and CPR
- Able to work on evenings and weekends
3. Jot Down Your Nanny Interview Questions
So that you don’t forget to mention all of your priorities and specifications at the time of the interview, make sure to jot down your nanny interview questions on a piece of paper. A list of sample interview questions that you may want to ask are listed here.
4. Choose a Logical Interview Structure
One of the best ways to structure an interview and help everyone feel more comfortable is to start off by telling nanny candidates a bit about you and your children. From there, you can go through the candidates’ qualifications and move on to your list of nanny interview questions.
5. Dress Smartly and Professionally
As we mentioned in our “how NOT to conduct a nanny interview” article, bathrobes and dressing gowns are probably not the most suitable attire. Instead, dress cleanly and smartly to establish a professional environment and working arrangement.
6. Choose a Quiet, Distraction-Free Interview Environment
Distractions can ruin anyone’s focus, so give nanny candidates the best opportunity for success. Conduct interviews somewhere quiet and away from your kids so that each candidate has your full attention.
7. Describe the Nanny Duties in Detail
Every family’s needs are a bit different, so make sure to describe every aspect of the job you’d like your new nanny to do in interviews. Read our private nanny job description to learn more about the types of tasks nannies normally perform.
8. Ask for the Relevant Documents
Professional nannies should be well-prepared for your interview, not just in their verbal responses, but also with written documentation. Here are some sample documents that you may want to ask your candidates to bring with them to interviews:
- Resume
- Driver’s license
- References
- Proof of relevant licenses and certifications
- List of ideas of things to do with kids
- Sample daily schedule
9. Introduce Promising Candidates to Your Children
While interviews should be conducted between adults, feel free to introduce the most promising candidates to your kids. This way, you’ll get an initial sense of how the candidate and your kids react to one another.
10. Follow Up in Timely Manner
No one likes to wait around indefinitely to learn whether they’re being offered a job or not. Once you’ve made your decision, notify all candidates promptly so that everyone can move forward in an efficient and respectful way.
If you’re ready to hire a nanny now, give us a call at 212-683-7722 or contact Household Staffing International online to find the best candidate for your family!