Making the candidate feel comfortable:

Tell me a bit about yourself?

What were your interests and what do you like to do in your free time?

 How would your friends and family describe you?

 Why did you choose a career in child care?

Why do you enjoy looking after children?

 Tell me about an experience (something) that you are particularly proud of.

 Previous experience and qualifications

Describe your childcare experience.

 What are your educational achievements to date and are you planning to take any further courses?

How would you keep the children entertained on a day to day basis/wet day?

 Are you qualified in first aid? 

 How do you see your role in disciplining my child/ren?

How would you comfort my child if they were upset?

Similarly, how would you deal with a crying baby?

 What qualities do you think are needed to make a good nanny?

 Child Development: Learning activities and play

How would you entertain my child throughout the day?

 What are your views on children watching television/playing computer games/learning by first experience e.g. learning about nature and plants from a trip to Botanical gardens or food from a trip to a farm?

What are your views on childrens nutrition?

What would you cook/prepare for my children?

Have you prepared a babies bottle before?

 Do you know how to wean a child?

How would you introduce table manners?

 Miscellaneous

When are you available to start?

 What is your current position and why do you want to leave?

 What household tasks are you happy to perform? (If you like help with something other than nursery duties e.g. shopping then mention it at the interview)

 What salary are you seeking?

Are you willing to baby sit if paid?

 Would you be happy to supervise my childs friends when they come over?

The interview

Tell the applicant about you and your family. 

 Describe the available position: Hours, salary and holiday entitlement, duties and responsibilities, your childrens existing activities and routines, dietary, medical requirements and any house rules such as use of your home phone or friends visiting. 

 Put the applicant at ease asking them an introductory question such as tell me about your family or yourself. 

 Ask the applicant a selection of your chosen questions.

Ask the applicant at the end of the interview whether she has any questions.

If you want to offer the nanny the job then make this clear at this stage as they will almost certainly be attending other interviews and you may lose the chance of employing them. If you would like to see more candidates then let Solent Nannies know. Please contact us either way as we welcome your feedback on our applicants.