40 Essential Questions to Ask a Nanny in an Interview

Interviewing nannies is both high-stakes and awkward. You're trying to determine if this stranger should have daily access to your child, your home, and your family's rhythms—all in a one-hour conversation.

This guide gives you the questions you need to ask, organized by topic, with guidance on what good answers look like.

Before the Interview

Pre-Screen Questions (Phone or Text)

Ask these before scheduling an in-person interview:

1. "Are you available [days and hours you need]?"

   • If schedule doesn't match, don't proceed

2. "What's your expected hourly rate?"

   • Know if you're in the same ballpark

3. "Do you have reliable transportation?"

   • Critical if they need to drive or arrive on time

4. "How long are you looking to stay in a position?"

   • Looking for at least 1-2 years

5. "Are you comfortable with [key requirements: pets, driving, cleaning, etc.]?"

   • Surface any dealbreakers early

---

Experience and Background

Understanding Their History

6. "Tell me about your childcare experience."

   • Look for: Variety of ages, long-term positions, professional approach
   • Red flag: Only family babysitting or very short jobs

7. "How long were you with your most recent family?"

   • Look for: 1+ years per position
   • Red flag: Multiple short stints without good explanation

8. "Why did your last position end?"

   • Look for: Honest, non-blaming answer (family moved, child started school)
   • Red flag: Badmouthing previous employer, vague answers

9. "What ages have you worked with?"

   • Look for: Experience with your child's age
   • Red flag: No experience with your child's age group

10. "What's the most challenging situation you've handled with a child?"

    • Look for: Specific example, thoughtful response, learning from experience
    • Red flag: "I've never had problems" (unrealistic)

11. "Can you tell me about a time when you and a parent disagreed?"

    • Look for: Respectful approach, compromise, professionalism
    • Red flag: Defensive, unable to take direction

---

Childcare Philosophy

Understanding Their Approach

12. "What does a typical day with a child look like for you?"

    • Look for: Variety of activities, structure with flexibility, age-appropriate
    • Red flag: TV all day, no plan, only passive activities

13. "How do you handle discipline and behavior challenges?"

    • Look for: Positive guidance, redirection, patience, consistency
    • Red flag: Physical punishment, yelling, rigidity

14. "What's your approach to screen time?"

    • Look for: Aligns with your family's values
    • Red flag: Dismissive ("kids love tablets") if you prefer limited screens

15. "How do you handle a child who is upset or having a meltdown?"

    • Look for: Staying calm, validating feelings, safety first
    • Red flag: Punishment for emotions, impatience

16. "How do you encourage learning and development?"

    • Look for: Play-based learning, reading, activities
    • Red flag: Just keeping child occupied, no engagement

17. "How do you handle picky eating?"

    • Look for: Patient approach, no forcing, variety
    • Red flag: Rigid rules, power struggles

18. "Tell me about activities you'd do with [age of your child]."

    • Look for: Age-appropriate, creative, active
    • Red flag: Can't come up with ideas

---

Practical Skills

Day-to-Day Capabilities

19. "Are you comfortable driving with children in the car?"

    • Critical if you need them to drive
    • Ask about car seat installation

20. "Can you swim and would you be comfortable taking kids to the pool?"

    • Important for summer months
    • Ask about water safety experience

21. "Are you CPR and first aid certified?"

    • Should be a yes; offer to pay for certification if not

22. "How comfortable are you with infant care/toddler care/etc.?"

    • Specific to your child's age

23. "What would you do in a medical emergency?"

    • Look for: Calm, clear protocol, call parents + 911
    • Red flag: Panics, unsure

24. "Are you comfortable preparing meals and cleaning up?"

    • Clarify expectations for housework

25. "What additional tasks are you willing to do?"

    • Laundry, light cleaning, errands?
    • Be clear about job scope

---

Schedule and Availability

Making Sure Logistics Work

26. "What hours are you available to work?"

    • Confirm match with your needs

27. "How do you handle schedule changes?"

    • Occasional late nights? Early mornings?

28. "What's your backup transportation if your car breaks down?"

    • Reliability matters

29. "Do you have any upcoming trips or commitments we should know about?"

    • Weddings, vacations, school?

30. "How much notice do you need for schedule changes?"

    • Understand their flexibility

---

Compensation and Employment

The Business Side

31. "What's your expected compensation?"

    • Hourly rate, salary expectations
    • Make sure you're aligned

32. "What benefits are you looking for?"

    • PTO, sick days, holidays, health insurance?
    • Know what's standard in your market

33. "Have you worked on the books before?"

    • You should pay legally (taxes, etc.)

34. "Do you have a contract or work agreement you prefer?"

    • Professional nannies expect contracts

35. "What's your preferred method of payment?"

    • Direct deposit, check?

---

Fit and Communication

Will This Work Long-Term?

36. "How do you prefer to communicate with parents?"

    • Text, app, daily reports?
    • Match your communication style

37. "How would you handle a situation where you disagreed with our parenting approach?"

    • Look for: Respectful conversation, following parent lead
    • Red flag: "I know best" attitude

38. "What's most important to you in a nanny position?"

    • Understand their priorities

39. "What are you looking for in a nanny family?"

    • See if you match

40. "Do you have any questions for us?"

    • Good candidates have thoughtful questions
    • Red flag: No questions at all

---

Questions for Reference Checks

What to Ask Their Previous Employers

Always call references. Ask:

1. "How long did [name] work for you?"

2. "What was their role?"

3. "How was their reliability and punctuality?"

4. "How did they interact with your children?"

5. "How did they handle discipline and challenges?"

6. "Were there any issues during their employment?"

7. "Why did they leave?"

8. "Would you hire them again?"

9. "Is there anything else I should know?"

Listen for:

• Hesitation
• Lukewarm answers
• What they don't say

---

Red Flags to Watch For

During the Interview

Concerning signs:

• Badmouths previous employers
• Can't give specific examples
• Very short jobs without explanation
• Defensive about questions
• Late to interview without good reason
• Focused only on logistics, not children
• Answers seem rehearsed or fake
• Uncomfortable around your child
• Distracted by phone
• Won't provide references

Trust your gut. If something feels off, don't proceed.

---

After the Interview

Evaluation Checklist

Rate each candidate:

| Factor | Candidate A | Candidate B | Candidate C | |--------|-------------|-------------|-------------| | Experience with my child's age | /5 | /5 | /5 | | Childcare philosophy match | /5 | /5 | /5 | | Communication style | /5 | /5 | /5 | | Practical skills | /5 | /5 | /5 | | Schedule compatibility | /5 | /5 | /5 | | References | /5 | /5 | /5 | | Gut feeling | /5 | /5 | /5 | | TOTAL | /35 | /35 | /35 |

Next Steps

1. Check references (all of them)
2. Run a background check
3. Schedule a trial day (paid)
4. Make offer with written contract

---

Sample Interview Structure

60-Minute Interview

| Time | Activity | |------|----------| | 0-5 min | Welcome, introductions, settle in | | 5-20 min | Experience and background questions | | 20-35 min | Childcare philosophy and approach | | 35-45 min | Practical skills and schedule | | 45-55 min | Compensation and logistics | | 55-60 min | Their questions, next steps |

Tips for a Good Interview

• Hold interview in your home if possible
• Have your child present for at least part
• Observe how they interact with child
• Both parents should participate if possible
• Take notes immediately after
• Don't make an offer on the spot

---

Questions Your Nanny Candidate Might Ask

Be Prepared to Answer

• "What are the specific responsibilities?"
• "What's the schedule?"
• "How do you handle nanny sick days?"
• "What's your parenting philosophy?"
• "Are there other caregivers or staff?"
• "Do you work from home?"
• "What are the house rules?"
• "How do you like to communicate?"
• "What's the compensation and benefits?"
• "Is this a long-term position?"

---

Related guides:

• How to Hire a Nanny →
• Nanny Cost Guide →
• Managing Your Nanny →
• Nanny Contract Essentials →