Once you have reviewed and selected a short list of nannies, its time to schedule interviews. Before starting the interview process, think about what are the things you want to cover during the interview process, what do you want to know about the nanny, her style, her background, her expectations before you start the process. To make it easier to decide between different nannies, here are a few basics to keep in mind.
- Get to know the nanny
Start the interview process off with basic questions to allow you to get to know the nanny a bit better. Ask about her experience with children and families, her training and education or how she would plan a typical day.
- Understand her caregiving style
It is important that you understand how you nanny would react to different situations. Depending on the age of your child and their specific need, you can ask how she would react to a crying baby, a child refusing to eat, talking back, having a tantrum or even a childcare emergency.
- Watch her interact
If you are conducting the interview in person, don’t forget to also give the nanny a chance to meet and interact with your children. If you are introducing her to your children, try not to do it before nap times or all at once, if you are interviewing more than one candidate.
- Explain the position
Now that you have gotten to know the nanny better, you should also give her a chance to get to understand the details of the job requirements. This could include discussing the hours, any special needs or parenting style you have as well as the types of tasks she would be expected to do. This will ensure she is comfortable with the responsibilities of the role.
- Non-verbal communication
During the interview process, keep an eye on the candidate’s body language to get a better sense of their personality and likes or dislikes they may not be so comfortable speaking about during the interview.