How to Interview Nannies & Au Pairs

For many, interviewing prospective nannies and au pairs is a challenge. Even professionals with experience of interviewing in their workplace, find it quite different to interviewing the person who will be looking after their children. However, it is very important to try and get the best possible person and the interview in a vital part of this process. We have put together some guidelines to help make an effective interview.

1. Why did she leave her last job, how long was she there and why she left.

2. If she is smartly dressed for the interview, ask her what her normal working attire would be. This will give an indication of how ready she is to get stuck in with the children ie. is she happy to roll around on the grass with the kids or sit in a sand pit.

3. What age children does she have experience with working with. Has she worked with children the same age as yours. Does she understand the needs/wants of children of a similar age.

4. Ask practical questions such as does she have first aid training, can she prepare simple food, does she smoke. These can reflect your personal needs eg. if home cooked meals are important to you. If you have pets, you will need to find out how animal-friendly she is.

5. What ideas does she have for entertaining children on a wet day? Think of the hardest times you have with the children and test her for her ideas.

6. Ask her what her hobbies are. This will give you an insight to what sort of person she is. Is she musical, does she sing, does she enjoy swimming. Again all these need to be personal to the skills/experience you would like your children to gain.

7. Ascertain what her view is to discipline and does this match with your own.

8. It is important to set out your expectations. If you require her to help with any household chores, extra out-of-hours babysitting it is important that she is happy with these before you appoint her.

9. If she is to live with you, find out if she has lived away from home before. If she is a live-out nanny then you need to know how far away she lives, her travelling time, does she drive or is she reliant on public transport etc.

10. Does she have a boyfriend or any dependents? This may seem a personal question but if she has children of her own you will need to consider her own childcare arrangements (eg. what if her own child was sick).

11. Formal checks such as police checks and references are normally done by a nanny agency but whether or not you use an agency, it is vital that you are happy that these checks have been done and any outcome.

12. Is she happy to come back for a second interview? If your children were not present at the first interview you will certainly want to see how she and they re-act to each other.

Interviewing a potential nanny is a two-way process and they will also be sounding you out. Expect to answer questions on why your last nanny left, how long they worked for you as well as practical questions on hours, expected domestic tasks etc.

The final choice you make will inevitably come down to the "gut feeling" that they are the most suited for your children. However, the more thorough the interview process is done (including police checks and following up references) the more chance you have at finding the right nanny for your family.