The one must ask question for a nanny

[Louisep]

I've looked through the sticky about questions for daycare providers and they don't really pertain to nanny interviews.

If there is one question you would ask a potential nanny, what would it be?

How much do you just go by your gut feeling? I met this nanny at a park and liked the way she was looking after the child she cares for at the moment. We got talking and I just really had a good feeling about her. That said, I'm interviewing her more formally tomorrow.

Thanks!

[Shiloh]

"I met this nanny at a park and liked the way she was looking after the child she cares for at the moment. We got talking and I just really had a good feeling about her. That said, I'm interviewing her more formally tomorrow."

Met her at park, was this a fulltime gig for her? I hope not.
Struck up conversation and she's willing to quit that gig to work for you?
Are you going to let her take your LO to the park and chat with people?
Kidding get her resume, check her references, watch her with the little one.

My only biggest advice with nannies is the cell phone.
At the park here....they don't seem to put it down.

[Louisep]

Shiloh - no, she currently works mornings and would look after my son in the afternoon. I have no problem with a nanny talking to people in a park - don't you talk to other guardians when at the park? Sorry, am I missing something here?

I have not hired her, I'm interviewing her. To my reason for posting, any advice about questions to ask?

[Shiloh]

I've had a few friends that were nannies, cruising the park for new employers is not atypical. I had a friend that used to do it when she wanted a raise, she'd get an interview and then figure out how much more they were willing to pay and take it back to her employer.

My joke was if she's drumming up business in the park and going to leave an employer (but she's obviously not employed fulltime so its different) I might be worried about her going to the park and switching horses so to speak with my kid.

I'd ask to speak with the morning family as well.

Good luck, ask a lot of questions, ask senario questions, ask trick questions (when do you spank)

[CatsCradle]

I would also ask her about her expectations regarding vacation time, benefits, taxes, the times when your child may be sick, etc. Better to understand those expectations up front then find out later. I'm pretty sure that you, as her employer, will also be required to report her income for tax purposes. Also ask her for non-relative and non-friend references. Three, at least.

[Shiloh]

I'd also ask people at the park or playgroups she goes to.
They might spend more time with her than her employers do.

[GuildJenn]

"Describe the best child you ever babysat for. Describe the worst child you ever babysat for."

This was the most revealing question from Gavin de Becker's list during our interview process. Most of the rest are here: http://life.familyeducation.com/chil...ety/40493.html

But we did have one applicant where I asked what she would do if my son were crying and didn't stop and she said put him in his room. At 18 months!!! So that was a good one.

And yes I asked the sexual abuse question.

[Louisep]

Originally Posted by Shiloh

I've had a few friends that were nannies, cruising the park for new employers is not atypical. I had a friend that used to do it when she wanted a raise, she'd get an interview and then figure out how much more they were willing to pay and take it back to her employer.

wow that's nuts! I'm so naive, glad you told me!

[Shiloh]

what is the sexual abuse question?

nannies are often abused, not given yearly raises, work overtime that goes unnoticed, etc. so its natural they have to fend for themselves sometimes.
Many also abuse this, use their advantage that you need their care, like them watching their children. It's not just daycare you get to be an employer with all the joys that comes along......

[GuildJenn]

Originally Posted by Shiloh

what is the sexual abuse question?

It's on the link I posted - "Have you ever suspected that a child in your care was being sexually molested by someone?" I asked that, and at daycare I asked "Has a member of your staff past or present ever hit or molested a child?" I definitely was perceived as - direct - for asking but how people responded was certainly a lot of information.

[Louisep]

Originally Posted by GuildJenn

"Describe the best child you ever babysat for. Describe the worst child you ever babysat for."

This was the most revealing question from Gavin de Becker's list during our interview process. Most of the rest are here: http://life.familyeducation.com/chil...ety/40493.html

But we did have one applicant where I asked what she would do if my son were crying and didn't stop and she said put him in his room. At 18 months!!! So that was a good one.

And yes I asked the sexual abuse question.

great link, thanks!

[One_Girl]

Before you tell your views on discipline ask some questions about views on things like spanking, how long it is okay to let a child cry, eating everything on your plate, time-out, etc... and go with your gut if you think that the answers are just made up to make you happy. These things really are important because the nanny is going to do what she feels is right once she is watching your kids. I went to school with several people who nannied to get through and they would talk about what they did with the kids and laugh about how stupid they thought the parents were because they didn't believe in spanking, time-out, making their kid finish food, or instant obedience. This was probably something that only the minority believed in doing, but it was very disturbing.