An interview is done to hire people based on their abilities. It is a comprehensive question and answers session to see the capabilities of the candidates. Similarly, to hire a nanny, we need to take a proper interview that tells us how well she can handle the kids. The way of answering will suggest the capability of the candidate. This article addresses 25 questions to ask a nanny.
1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?
I have 5+ years of experience working as a nanny. I have dealt with many kids and have a course related to this field. I can do all related tasks duly assigned to me and take good care of the house as well. As per my extensive experience in the same area, I love working because this is something I am a great interest in.
2. What Are The Roles Of A Nanny?
Nanny plays an important role in keeping kids in the absence of their parents. Some other functions are:
- Organizing creative activities and some educational games to keep the kids busy
- They prepare kids’ meals and feed them (this includes baby formula milk feeding too for babies)
- They also change diapers and give baths to infants
- They help older children to wash up and take long baths
- They try to Schedule naps and bedtimes for kids
- They also teach children a few appropriate social behaviors, such as being respectful to each other and helping out with a few chores at home. This teaches responsibility.
- They help transport children to and from the school and organize extracurricular activities
- They also tidy play areas and kid’s rooms
- Nannies have a role in assisting young students with their homework
- They ensure kid’s safety during indoors as well as outdoors activities
- They take care of kids in case of any injury or illness.
3. What Are The Qualities That A Nanny Need To Be Successful?
A nanny needs to have the following qualities to qualify for the role;
- She should be trustworthy
- She enjoys working with kids and their company
- Patience is also a requirement for the nanny
- Time management is important for the nanny
- Some basic education and core techniques are important
- She should show professionalism.
4. What Major Challenges Faced During Your Last Role? How Did You Manage Them?
The last place I worked was a challenging one. It was the first time I had worked with children with special needs. So, I had to be extra careful while dealing with them. I had to remind myself that I needed to work at the kid’s pace. Also, the methods I employed with other children were different from those I had to do for them. They required extra care, support, and a proper understanding to thrive. I read more about the care and tried to be aware of kids’ needs, and it helped a lot.
5. Can You Describe Your Daily Routine As A Nanny?
I wake up in the morning and get ready to go to the house where I work. As soon as I reach there, my madam hands over the baby to me. I feed the baby and then settle him down for a nap. He wakes up to have solid foods. After that, I prepare food while he is sleeping. I change the diaper after feeding him with solids. The baby plays for some time. I keep toys in front of him. He plays and then gets sleepy to take another nap. Before that, I bottle feed him. After waking up from a short nap, I give him the bottle again.
6. Describe Briefly About Your Experience?
My experience has been a fulfilling one. I have worked hard in all of my jobs. I treat the kids as my own. They get so attached to me. I do my duty properly, and I feel that my pay needs to be justified. I have been working as a nanny for four years now, and this is something I enjoy as a profession. This has become my passion now.
7. What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Are Required For The Nanny Role?
There are a few strategies required for this role. You need to be professional and responsible at the same time. Helping kids and taking care of them are not easy tasks. They require commitment and a personality that is organized. We need to be socially aware and have knowledge of courses like CPR etc.
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge You Foresee In The Nanny Job?
My biggest challenge in this job is to keep the child safe and provide an environment where he thrives well. Different parents have different ideas about how to discipline their children and, more importantly, who should do so. If a nanny is involved, these ideas become more complex since it is difficult to punish a child hours after an incident has occurred. However, they may not want the nanny to discipline, or they may have very strict ideas about what the nanny is and is not allowed to do that differ from your own opinions. I prefer to talk about disciplinary roles early on and get clear and concise instructions about what the parents expect.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated At Work?
Looking at the crops and animals yielding the way they are expected motivates me to continue working in this field. This satisfies me that I am doing a good job of ensuring a happy life. It always motivates me to do more and more whenever I see this. I get motivated by that every day, making me do more hard work. Being a nanny, I am given the authority to make a difference in the lives of children and their families. I organize the children’s playroom or help pick out new toys and clothes. Also, I suggest books that they should add to the family library. I give advice and suggestions to their parents, and they listen to me when it comes to caring for their kids. Simply put, they listen to me and care about me, making me feel respected and valued. When I am respected, I strive my best to keep that respect.
10. Describe A Time You Failed In A Nanny Role And The Lesson You Learned?
As an entry-level employee at my very first job, I did not have enough experience to know that I should inform the parents when the kids were going out. Previously, I decided to take the kids on a walk in the neighborhood and to the park. It was my fault that I didn’t realize the parents were supposed to be notified. I got in trouble with my boss after discovering that we went for a walk without his knowledge. Thanks to him, he understood it was an entry-level position, and I didn’t know about it. When I went out with their kids, he advised me to notify the boss. I never made that mistake again.
11. Why Do You Feel You Are Qualified For The Nanny Role?
I believe that I have gained the necessary experience to be a good and professional nanny since I have gained so much experience in this field. As I already know what is expected, I will not have to start from scratch. As training and coaching are needed, hiring a fresher will be expensive. I believe it will be cheaper and more cost-effective to hire me.
12. Share With Us Your Greatest Achievement
I ensured good and polite language was used when conversing with children in my previous role. There would be sponsors and well-wishers visiting those kids in that home. I was named the best employee at the children’s home in recognition of my hard work. A gold medal and a certificate came along with the award I am proud to have received. To make sure that your kids grow up with a positive attitude in life, I believe that I will apply the same strategies.
13. What Do You Think about How To Become A Nanny?
For becoming a Nanny, no education or degree is required. But, CPR and first aid certification are commonly required. The International Nanny Association has widely adopted the following basic standards.
- Must have 18 years of age
- Must have completed high school (or any equivalent)
- Must bear good general health with proof of immunizations ( a negative TB test or Chest X-ray)
- They must be able to work legally in the country where they work
- Must positively influence the lives of children under their care
- Experience in babysitting or daycare
- Not necessary, but a degree in early childhood education or elementary education count as a credit.
14. For How Long Did You Stay In Your Last Job?
I joined Mrs. Parker’s house in December 2021 and performed several duties such as doing the children’s laundry, cleaning their rooms, helping them with homework, picking them up from school in the morning, and taking them to school at night. The job was finished due to corona, and the contract was completed too. Mrs. Parker did not want to renew the contract; therefore, I quit after three months.
15. Has Your Resignation Ever Been Forced Upon You?
It was my first job as a nanny that I had to resign. I left my job as the organization relocated to a neighboring state, and I was not going with them. Despite their insistence that they would handle all the paperwork, I decided to stay behind since my mother was ill.
16. Your Second Job Lasted Only 3 Months. What Happened?
I worked for a non-governmental organization for a short time as a nanny. The company had just set up shop in our town and advertised for a temporary nanny position. I was selected for the post due to my qualification, and I was given a contract for one year. When the offer for the next job came, I was still waiting for my contract to be renewed.
17. What Do You Enjoy Most About Being A Nanny?
Having fun with the children and helping them grow is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a nanny. If you make kids have fun with you, they will always want to be with you and listen to you. Children love having fun. As a nanny, I enjoy having fun with kids the most.
18. What Requirements Should A Nanny Contract Have?
These should be the following.
- The employer’s and employee’s names
- The employment date and continuous employment started
- Job title and description
- Employment location
- Salary and its frequency (usually monthly or weekly)
- Working hours
- Holiday allowance and entitlement (number of days and restrictions on when they may be taken.
19. What Are The Employment Protections Of A Nanny?
These are the following.
- Must have a right to a written statement of the terms and conditions of employment
- She must have a right to have paid holiday leave at the normal rate of pay
- The right to maternity leave
- Must have a complete right to a minimum amount of sick pay for anyone too ill to work
- Complete protection from unfair dismissal for anyone employed for a minimum of two years.
- It is not permissible for an employment contract to offer less protection than the statute provides, whether written or verbal. In similar cases, the statutory provisions prevail.
20. What Happens If Your Boss Goes For A Holiday With Their Family?
It is not uncommon for nannies not to receive their salary when the family they work for goes away on holiday. The below-mentioned are the two important points to note here.
- If a nanny is accompanying the family, he or she must be paid their normal rate of pay.
- If the family does not require the nanny’s services during the holiday, it may be acceptable to require that nanny take some of their own holiday leave, but this must be paid leave.
Rolled-up holiday pay is only permissible for casual and agency workers, neither of which applies to a nanny with a subsisting employment relationship.
21. Are You Comfortable With Simple Chores Around The House?
In my very first job, I had doubled as a nanny and housekeeper. I found this to be tasking as I would not attend to the tasks efficiently. I will feel pleased to stick with nanny work at first. So, no doubt, I have no problem working independently and I never have issues with simple chores around the house.
22. How Do You Manage Stress?
The truth is that each and everybody faces stress in one way or another. The difference is how we handle it. While dealing with children, I try as much as possible to control my emotions. Stress management, especially in a nanny job, sometimes becomes tiring, but I have always dealt with it beautifully as per my experience and practice.
23. What Have Your Past Mistakes, If Any, Taught You?
I enjoyed dealing with the children and interacting with their families and relatives in all my previous jobs. I have had the normal work issues but have remained focused on ensuring I give quality results. I have had problems dealing with some extended family members, but this has helped improve my listening skills.
24. What Makes You Different From Other Applicants For This Nanny Position?
I totally agree and believe that I am the most suitable person. My passion for kids’ affairs is evident from all my past jobs. I am also continuously improving myself in this area; for example, I recently enrolled for a diploma. Additionally, I have the skills you need, and I am confident enough for this role.
25. Do You Have Any Questions?
Yes, I want to ask a few questions, please.
- Are you doing any salary cuts?
- Will I be working as an organization or as a freelancer?
- Your clients are mostly from which regions?
- What ages of kids do you take under this role, or are there no age limits?
- Is there any security amount involved during or after successful hiring?
Conclusion
We have listed the 25 best questions and answers for the nanny position. They can vary according to job nature and description, but 90% of them remain the same. Hard work is a must for a farmworker. Provide a few clear explanations with confidence when answering the questions. You can follow the tips above to answer the questions successfully. Use polite language and a low tone of voice when answering questions if you want to be a good nanny. Nannies can be both good and bad at times with respect to the treatment they are given. It’s best if they are treated politely because they can even harm you too in some cases. Good luck!
