Interviewing your nanny

Some suggestions for a structure for your interview, standard questions and a marking scheme!

1 - Significant improvement required
2 - Some room for improvement.
3 - Fully satisfied
4 - Very good, exceeded expectations
5 - Excellent

In cases where there is a lack of sufficient information, leave the section blank.

Personal

1. How well did you like the candidate?
2. How closely do their ideas about childcare match your own?
3. How well did your children like them?
4. How well did they react towards your children?
5. How easy would it be for you to share you home with them?
6. How well did they meet your expectations?

Professional

1. How good are their qualifications?
2. How good is their knowledge of childcare?
3. How good is their first aid knowledge?
4. How committed to being a Nanny were they?
5. How well did they answer the interview questions?
6. How closely did their answers match you expectations?

Background

1. How relevant is their previous experience?
2. How good were there references?
3. Are they experienced enough?

Suitability

1. How well do they match your criteria?
2. How keen did they seem to get the job?
3. How good is their availability?
4. How did they feel about the package on offer?
5. How well did you feel you met their expectations?

Check list

• Insure you have copies of the following: references, Qualifications, Driving licence, passport
• Discuss responsibilities
• Discuss house rules
• Discuss the salary and benefits
• Discuss Start Date

Overall Assessment

• Assess their key strengths and areas requiring improvement.
• Write a few summary comments about the interview

Before Making the offer

Think carefully as to whether the person is right for your family.  Would you feel entirely happy leaving the children in their care? Would the children feel happy to be left with them?

Do you and the nanny share similar views on child care? Do you agree on all the issues that are important?

Once you have found a suitable nanny, you should offer them the position as soon as possible since they may be attending other interviews

There are a confusing number of childcare qualifications available nowadays, so it's useful to have a basic knowledge of what they are. Highly qualified and experienced nannies can expect a substantially higher salary, so it is important to be realistic in your expectations. For a list of qualifications please visit www.tinies.com and for salary information visit www.nannytax.co.uk

Although there are many excellent unqualified nannies, a trained nanny will have displayed some commitment to the job and should have a professional attitude. In addition to learning approved methods of childcare, they may also have a higher level of confidence than inexperienced child carers.