Saturday, March 2, 2013

Selecting a Nanny - Interviewing Prospective Nannies

Interviewing prospective nannies is an important task as it is the best way to form a first opinion of a potential child care provider. The personality of the nanny you plan to hire is one of the most essential requirements, yet one of the toughest items to gauge.

If you opt to work with an agency for help selecting a nanny, the agency will select potential nannies for you to meet with. If you opt to find a nanny on your own, be sure to conduct a background check.

During the interviewing process, remember that you are not just learning about them, but they are also learning about you. Treat the prospective nanny as if they were already working for you. What to ask is really dependant on what qualifications you are looking for in a nanny. At this point you should have a few nannies to consider that meet your current requirements for things such as education and experience.

Following are questions to ask a nanny during the interview process:
Verify all information provided on the application or in their resume, such as inquiring about previous nanny positions.


Ask them about past situations, such as the worst situations they encountered in previous positions and why they chose to discontinue the nanny position.


Test them with "what if" scenarios, such as "What would you do if there was a fire in the home?" or "How do you handle injuries?"


Ask them questions befitting your requirements, such as "We are looking for someone that can help our daughter with her math homework. How can you help us with that?" or "We are looking for someone to work part-time during the evenings after our son is home from school. Are you able to commit to these hours Monday through Friday in a long-term arrangement?"

Asking yes or no questions will not give you the results you need to form a decision. Instead, make sure you ask open-ended questions. Take note of their tone - is it loud and forceful or quiet and laid back? Also, take note of their mannerisms - are they smiling and appear happy or grimacing in disinterest?

During the interview, mention every aspect of the job you are offering. Discuss the salary, hours, benefits, responsibilities, duties, time off, and much more. Talk about any issues or concerns the prospective nanny has in this regard.








Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com at myguidesusa.com myguidesusa.com, you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life's major events. Whether you're planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you'll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.

Find parenting tips and resources at becomingaparent.myguidesusa.com becomingaparent.myguidesusa.com

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