Hiring the right babysitter or nanny to care for your child is a tremendously difficult task. You want someone who will remain calm under emergency situations, someone who is familiar with children psychology and just as importantly, someone who is able to get along with the child as well. Trying to find all these qualifications in one person is quite a challenge. We've all seen headline news stories of child abuse at the hands of nannies and this is something we want to avoid with all cost.
With the proliferation of nanny cams in the home, this has helped with the capture of abusers. However, the best way to avoid any problems is in prevention and hiring the ideal candidate in the first place. To help your search for an experienced babysitter that will fit into your family household, here are some interview questions to ask a nanny in an interview.
Experience
Why did you choose to enter the field of childcare?
Describe your previous babysitting and childcare experiences. What are the ages of children you have cared for?
Do you have children of your own?
Do you still babysit for your previous clients?
What are the joys and challenges of childcare with a child the age as mine?
Do you have any special training or certifications in infant and child CPR and First Aid?
Do you yourself have any medical issues such as allergies?
How would you handle an emergency situation?
Describe the most difficult situation you've encountered while babysitting. How did you handle the situation?
Personality
What are your personal and career goals?
What are some of the things you like to do in your spare time?
What are some of the activities you would be doing with my child?
How would your previous clients describe you?
How would the children describe you?
What are your views on child discipline?
Scheduling
Would you have any problems in committing to the hours as requested?
Do you have other significant commitments such as another job, school, family?
Do you have any planned vacation for the upcoming year?
How much do you charge?
Would you be willing to work extra hours such as late nights or weekends?
Summary
Although a touchy subject for some, the issue of nanny cams must be addressed. In most states, home owners are legally permitted to install surveillance equipment in rooms not deemed to be private without the consent of employees. However, some employers feel more comfortable having this issue of nanny cams out in the open. In this day and age, given the video surveillance in day cares, this interview question is not all that uncommon.
As in any interview, always permit the interviewee time to ask questions to determine if it's a right fit for her as well. If you have a good feeling about the candidate, introduce her to the child and observe their interaction. After all, it needs to be the right match for the child, the nanny, and you.
