Nannies

PunkyBooster

We are interviewing our first round of nannies this weekend! I have about 15 resumes and am hoping to interview 5 of them. I liked a 6th but she wanted to start ASAP and I don't need anyone until March.

If you have a nanny or are a nanny, please give me a list of questions you would consider so that I can add them to my list! 

Thanks  

Rock-n-Voll

Good luck!

camedowncrushing

I don't have 

infant experience so I don't think I am going to be too helpful. Typically I think the question most parents are interested in hearing what your thoughts are (as a nanny) is "how to you deal with discipline problems?"  That does not really apply to you at this point.

Here are some other questions I remember being asked last time around:

Can you commit to at least one year?

Why do you love being a nanny?

What would you do in an emergency situation?

The people that I work for now didn't even check my references.  They said they went with their "gut."  Ha ha ha.  

Are you going to be working from home while the nanny is there?  

 

 

PunkyBooster

camedowncrushing:

Are you going to be working from home while the nanny is there?  

 

 

Thanks!

And yes, so that makes things a bit easier. I obviously want someone who will be willing to do occasional babysitting just so he has a consistent person taking care of him. 

AndreaB111

I remember my Aunt telling me once that she preferred younger nannies to older nannies when she interviewed. She said sometimes older women had the attitude of "I'm older than you, I've taken care of more children, I know what I'm doing." She was concerned that someone with too much experience might be more inclined to do what they thought was right, rather than what she had asked them to do. Essentially, this person will be helping you to raise your child, so you want to be sure they're 100% committed to caring for him the way you want them to.

PunkyBooster

Andrea, you bring up a good point and one I had thought of. I am glad most of the resumes I have received are from girls 27 and under. No problems being younger than me there! LOL

Here are my questions so far:

Tell us about yourself
Why do you love being a nanny? (Thanks, C!)
What are you looking for in a family?
Educ and exp background and overview
Languages overview
Exp level with infants overview
Exp and comfort level with dog(s)
Where do you live? Do you have reliable transportation?
How have you handled discipline in older children you have kept?
Tell us about a challenging child you have kept and how did you handle the situation?
Tell us about a challenging parent and how you handled the situation
Availablity? Schedule overview and subjectivity to change
Overnights/weekends
What are you looking for in a salary? (Most sent sal reqs but I'd like to hear what they say once they meet us).
Time off policy?
Exp with breastfed babies and safe handling and heating of stored milk
Minor chores (I have a housekeeper every other week but it would be nice if she'll throw in a load of N's laundry and pick up his toys when they are done playing).

Hmmm. That is all I have so far.

countrygrl10711

Im a preschool teacher but I also nanny part time weeknights and a few weekends out of the month. I'm sure you will, but get a CORI, SORI (I think thats how you spell it, its the sex offender one..) and a driving record from your potential nannies. Ask them what a typical day would look like, what activities they would plan, where they might take your child (park, library, etc...). You dont want someone who will just turn the tv on and walk away. Also, I would make sure they are CPR and first aid certified, and get the scoop on any classes they have taken about early childhood education. Ask them about their behavior management ideas, I'm not sure how old your child/children are, but that is important too. Do they re-direct inappropriate behavior? Do they use time outs etc... talk about whether or not they feel comfortable cooking, believe it or not, some nannies dont (I have heard many stories where nannies will only provide microwavable meals.) I could probably go on forever. but thats what I can think of off the top of my head. GOOD LUCK!