Comprehensive Guide To Interviewing A Nanny

There is no greater responsibility than the task of hiring a caretaker for your child. This is a decision that can have enormous ramifications if proper care and attention is not taken. There is no need for melodramatic paranoia, but a certain level of care is warranted. The interview process can be a lengthy and thoughtful period, often stressful, but very rewarding when the perfect fit is found.

The Child's Approval Unfortunately, chemistry is a strong part of the nanny business. Not all nannies are liked by every child. Some children have trouble relating to people they are not visually attracted to and will fuss or shy away from such a person. Even if the nanny is highly recommended and presents an impeccable resume, it may be wise to seek a different candidate. Your children must trust the person who will care for them or they may not react well to the caretaker.

It is a good practice to introduce your child to the nanny before she is hired. During the initial interaction you should be able to gauge whether or not the relationship between your child and the nanny will be successful. This will be your opportunity to see how the nanny will relate with your children and how they get along. Without any prompting, observe this initial meeting and take note of the kinds of questions the nanny asks, how she introduces herself, and how she attempts to bond. It is difficult to describe what a positive first meeting looks like but you should be able to make a decision based on the qualities you desire in a nanny.

Values and Interests In most interviews the candidate is asked about her hobbies and her values are usually ascertained through a series of questions which has a goal in mind. This kind of interview questioning is vitally important during the nanny hiring process. The job of a nanny is not only to take care of the physiological needs of children, but to tend to every aspect of their development in the absence of the parent. In almost all cases, the ideals, interests, and values are absorbed by the child, either through action or speech. During the interview you may ask the candidate if she volunteers, plays music, has a family, watches television, reads books, or what have you. These questions might seem invasive, but they will provide you with a picture into the personality that will influence your child.

Possible Interview Questions In order to guide the interview process so it goes more smoothly, there are a few uncommon interview questions that can help you gain an understanding as to what the candidate thinks and feels regarding the position. The ideal interview question gains information about the candidate that you may not have been able to find through conventional means. For example, you can ask what age of child she prefers to care for. This kind of question gives you an idea of the maturity level the nanny prefers and whether she likes to deal with the problems of babies, toddlers, children, or adolescents. Does she prefer to teach more complex lessons about peer pressure or does she simply want to deal with developing simple language skills. Additionally you can ask what she would do if she were offered a job at twice the pay for a wealthier family. Not only would this question test to see if the candidate cares more about money than the tie to the family, but it also has a slightly ulterior motive of holding her to her word if the scenario does occur. You want to know if this nanny will be with the family for as long as she is needed.

Red Flags Once in a while an interviewee will have all the required credentials and a personality that meets all of your criteria, but there are hidden factors that must be accounted for. For example, some nannies will put on the persona of the perfect candidate but fail to hide their greater interest in compensation. When asking the nanny about her previous position it?s possible that she may have negative to say about her previous employer. This is considered unprofessional and petty. Questions of discipline should provide insight into how the nanny deals with problems. Finally, when writing the contract, you should clearly state your stance on discipline, but the interview is an opportunity to see what her views are on the subject.

There are many other important topics when it comes to choosing the right nanny, but they are more straightforward. Performing a background check and following up on references are obvious tasks you must undertake once you?ve found a nanny candidate you think is a good fit for your family. The ideas mentioned in this article go beyond the superficial interview questions. By formulating more thoughtful interview strategies, you can avoid future problems.