This guide provides a comprehensive list of questions to ask potential nannies during interviews. Not all questions may be relevant to your specific situation - select those most important to your family's needs. Take notes during interviews to help compare candidates later.
Tell me about your childcare experience and background.
Listen for: Years of experience, types of families worked with, ages of children
What age groups do you have the most experience with?
Listen for: Whether their experience aligns with your children's ages
Have you worked with multiple children at once? How did you manage their different needs?
Listen for: Multitasking abilities, prioritization skills, specific examples
What is your educational background? Do you have any childcare-related certifications?
Listen for: Early childhood education, CPR/First Aid, child development knowledge
Why did you choose to become a nanny?
Listen for: Passion for childcare, career goals, genuine interest in child development
What was your most challenging childcare experience and how did you handle it?
Listen for: Problem-solving abilities, emotional regulation, learning from difficult situations
What is your childcare philosophy or approach?
Listen for: Child-centered approach, development focus, values that align with yours
How do you handle discipline and set boundaries with children?
Listen for: Positive discipline methods, consistency, age-appropriate approaches
How do you handle tantrums or emotional outbursts?
Listen for: Patience, de-escalation techniques, empathy
What types of activities would you plan for a child of [my child's age]?
Listen for: Age-appropriate activities, balance of learning and play, outdoor time
How do you encourage learning and development?
Listen for: Knowledge of developmental milestones, play-based learning, reading habits
How do you manage screen time with children?
Listen for: Alignment with your family's screen time values and policies
How would you handle picky eating or food issues?
Listen for: Patience, creative approaches, respect for family preferences
Are you certified in infant/child CPR and First Aid? When does your certification expire?
Listen for: Current certifications, willingness to get certified if not already
How would you handle a medical emergency with a child in your care?
Listen for: Clear emergency procedures, ability to stay calm, proper prioritization
What safety precautions do you take when caring for children?
Listen for: Childproofing awareness, supervision practices, hazard recognition
Have you ever had to handle an emergency with a child? What happened and what did you do?
Listen for: Quick thinking, appropriate action, learning from the experience
What would you do if a child was choking?
Listen for: Knowledge of proper choking response techniques for different ages
How would you childproof a home?
Listen for: Attention to detail, knowledge of common hazards, age-specific concerns
What household tasks are you comfortable handling in addition to childcare?
Listen for: Comfort with children's laundry, meal prep, light cleaning, etc.
Do you have experience preparing meals for children? Any dietary restrictions or concerns?
Listen for: Cooking abilities, knowledge of nutrition, allergy awareness
How do you typically communicate with parents throughout the day?
Listen for: Proactive updates, responsiveness, transparency
Are you comfortable driving children? Do you have a clean driving record?
Listen for: Driving experience, safety consciousness, comfort with car seats
How would you structure a typical day with my child/children?
Listen for: Balance of activities, flexibility, respect for routines
How do you handle nap time and bedtime routines?
Listen for: Consistency, calming techniques, flexibility with different children
Do you have experience caring for children with special needs? If so, please explain.
Listen for: Relevant experience, training, adaptability
Have you worked with children with allergies or medical conditions?
Listen for: Vigilance, medication management, emergency response knowledge
How do you handle separation anxiety in children?
Listen for: Patience, compassion, effective comforting strategies
What experience do you have with infants/newborns? (if applicable)
Listen for: Knowledge of feeding schedules, sleep safety, developmental milestones
How do you handle sibling conflicts or rivalry?
Listen for: Fairness, conflict resolution techniques, understanding of dynamics
How would you describe your communication style with parents?
Listen for: Open, respectful, direct, responsive
How do you handle constructive feedback?
Listen for: Openness to learning, non-defensiveness, professionalism
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a nanny?
Listen for: Self-awareness, honesty, desire for growth
How would previous employers describe you?
Listen for: Qualities that align with your needs, consistent themes
What's your favorite part about being a nanny?
Listen for: Genuine enthusiasm, child-centered focus
What do you find most challenging about nannying?
Listen for: Honesty, reasonable challenges, healthy coping mechanisms
What is your availability? Do you have any regular commitments that would affect your schedule?
Listen for: Alignment with your needs, reliability, transparency
Are you comfortable with our required hours and schedule? What about occasional evenings or weekends?
Listen for: Flexibility, clear boundaries, realistic expectations
What are your salary expectations? How do you handle overtime or additional duties?
Listen for: Alignment with your budget, clear expectations, professionalism
How much notice would you give before taking time off or ending employment?
Listen for: Professionalism, consideration, planning ability
Are you legally eligible to work in the United States?
This is a legal requirement for employment
Are you comfortable with our family getting a background check?
Listen for: Openness and understanding of the process
How long did the nanny work for you and what were their primary responsibilities?
What were the nanny's greatest strengths and areas for improvement?
How did the nanny handle difficult situations with your child(ren)?
Was the nanny reliable, punctual, and responsible?
How well did the nanny communicate with you?
Did the nanny follow your family's rules and preferences?
Why did the employment relationship end?
Would you hire this nanny again? Why or why not?
Is there anything else we should know about this nanny?
If my child refused to eat lunch, how would you handle it?
If my child was having trouble sleeping, what would you do?
If my child hit another child at the playground, how would you respond?
If you noticed my child was showing signs of illness, what would you do?
If there was an unexpected schedule change, how would you adapt?
If my child was afraid of something (thunderstorms, the dark, etc.), how would you help them?
If you disagreed with a parenting approach I was using, how would you handle it?
Rate each candidate on these key factors: