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back to the checklist

Parent  to nanny interview questions

  • Can you tell me a little about how you began working with children?
  • At what point after you began working with children decided that becoming a nanny was what you wanted to do?
  • What was the reason that made you study child psychology, or development, or autism, or dyslexia, etc., four or five years ago?
  • What is more challenging for you, to work with children or to work with their parents?
  • Do you know the difference between being authoritarian and authoritative towards children?
  • Do you know the difference between being permissive and being neglectful towards children? Among those two characteristics, which child-care person do you fit in with?
  • Can you communicate with children? How is your approach?
  • Can you distinguish the cry of a baby? Can you elaborate more?
  • What skills do you use when you begin working with a toddler who was already used to his previous nanny?
  • What skills do you use when you start working for the family of a toddler that has never had a nanny?
  • Being a professional nanny, are you comfortable following parental directions?
  • What is the maximum age gap between siblings that you have worked with?
  • What is the minimum age gap between siblings that you worked with?
  • What do you do to keep nice and steady fun games flowing when working with a large age gap between siblings?
  • Are you comfortable working with pre-term babies?
  • Are you comfortable working with toddlers?
  • Are you comfortable working with a four-year-old child?
  • Are you comfortable working with older children?
  • What is the younger child's age you previously worked with?
  • What is the maximum age of children you previously worked with?
  • What age range of children do you think you are most experienced working with?
  • What activities do you like doing with girls?
  • What activities do you like doing with boys?
  • Are you a gender specific color person?
  • Tell me a little about your experience when going to the park where mostly parents play with their kids.
  • Do you try to socialize with other adults at the park for children to play together, considering they are about the same age?
  • Are you comfortable with playdates?
  • Have you ever been in an emergency when having a child in your care? How did you manage it?
  • Have you ever been present when a child is choking?
  • As a person, do you have any health issues we, as parents, should consider about you?
  • How do you manage stress?
  • Are you comfortable working under stress?
  • What do you do when you wake up feeling ill?
  • We offer the schedule from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, but we can be flexible by 30 to 60 minutes. Would you rather arrive at work at 7:00 am and leave at 4:00 pm or 9:00 pm and leave at 6:00?
  • According to the map, your address is about 30 minutes away, but the schedule will make you drive during rush hour, doubling the time of your commute. Would you rather we adjust your schedule or do you feel you can manage it with the set schedule?
  • Are you keeping up-to-date on child development?
  • What would be a scenario where you mark the line with parents regarding the discipline of their children?
  • What would be a reason for you to quit a nanny job on the spot?

 

 

The right moment to hire help

Ideally, the moment you choose life to expand your family is the moment to find help.

There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child, and there exist communities in other cultures where people take this literally. Unfortunately, in our culture, we can't expect our parents, sisters, brothers, or even cousins to come live with us while our babies grow. Mom and Dad usually go through all the phases of pregnancy and postpartum alone. There is nothing to be afraid of, and there is much to learn. However, in our US culture, the industry is growing at its fastest pace each day. Child care professionals have adopted the services of teachers and nurses, and more and more, other agencies are joining our communities to provide complete support to parents. Doulas, postpartum Doulas, lactation consultants, and early baby educators come together to offer new parents all the support they need, beginning in the early stages of pregnancy.

Education and experience are sometimes not necessary when new professionals can prove their education in each field. However, many times, education and experience are obtained by the verified number of years a provider has worked with parents and children.

There are many ways to find help.

Your OB/GYN can recommend reliable child care help, and here is a list you can refer to find help for your family.

  • Agencies,
  • Doulas
  • Word of mouth recommendations
  • Indeed
  • Facebook
  • Online NVS/PPD and Professional Nannies Websites
  • Google search
  • Workforce Commission

On this website, I have collected all the steps necessary to hire the right person. Although it is up to you at what stage of your pregnancy or motherhood you need someone, you might have already decided on the time you anticipate needing help. 

 

If you need help deciding, I can offer the options as your guide.

 

Read books. Choose the books to read from the list to continue with this journey on your own.

Of course, please listen to your OB/GYN recommendations during pregnancy, learn all the classes they provide at the hospital. At the hospital, you will learn all the basics to care for your new baby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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