30 nanny and house help interview questions to ask

A good interview is a conversation, not a test. Meet in person, let her spend some time with your children, and listen for specific examples rather than "yes, I can".

Experience

1. Tell me about the families you have worked for. How old were the children?
2. Why did you leave your last job?
3. What did a normal day look like there?
4. Can I call your last two employers?

Children

1. How do you settle a baby who won't stop crying?
2. What do you do when a toddler throws a tantrum?
3. How do you discipline a child? (Listen for calm, no smacking.)
4. What would you cook for a one-year-old?
5. What activities do you do with children indoors?
6. Have you cared for newborns, twins or a child with special needs?

Safety

1. What would you do if a child had a high fever while I'm at work?
2. What would you do if a child was choking?
3. Do you have first aid training?
4. How do you keep children safe near water, the stove and the gate?
5. Who would you allow into the house while I'm away?

Housework

1. Which household tasks are you comfortable with: cooking, laundry, ironing, cleaning?
2. What dishes can you cook?
3. How would you plan the day with both children and housework?

Working together

1. What hours and rest days do you expect?
2. What salary are you looking for?
3. Are you looking for live-in or live-out work?
4. How far do you live from here?
5. Do you have any commitments that affect your hours?
6. Are you comfortable with pets?
7. How do you like to be told if something isn't working?
8. What do you enjoy most about this work?
9. Do you have a current Certificate of Good Conduct?
10. Do you use a phone during working hours?
11. When could you start?
12. What questions do you have for me?

After the interview

Call her references and ask for ID and a Certificate of Good Conduct. Then put the terms in a written contract.