What are some questions you think are important to ask when interviewing Nanny familes?

[Anonymous]

I'm preparing to be back on the job market again for another nanny position and just wanted to get together a list of questions that are important to ask when interviewing nanny familes?

[Anonymous]

I would first request a phone interview before I drive somewhere to meet them since gas is so expensive where I live in CA. I usually insist on a phone interview since I do not want to waste either my own time of the time of any potential families.

On the phone, I usually discuss pay just to make sure both parties are on the same page on what is fair and doable. Also, I inquire about any expected household duties as well as discuss scheduling to make sure availability won't be an issue. I also like to get a feel for the personality of the family and this can usually be done within 5 min. of speaking to someone on the phone. I can usually detect if they are laid~back or strict, if they have a sense of humor or not and if they are knowledgeable about hiring a nanny and what experiences they have had prior.

After a phone interview, if things seem good, I then schedule a personal face~to~face meeting, ideally at a local park or coffee shop. {If registered w/an agency, I would consider meeting at the family's residence.}

I usually ask what they are looking for in a nanny, what kind of activities would they want their nanny to do during the day and what their parenting philosophy is in general terms. I ask them if I can speak to their former nannies, if any, and offer to provide references if they are seriously considering hiring me.
I try to interact w/their child and see how we mesh. I admit however, it is rare that I automatically have chemistry w/a child...It usually occurs within the first 2 wks. of working.

Deal~breakers for me are:
The family's refusal to discuss pay prior to the in~person interview, the family INSISTING I meet them in their home for our first meeting, the family requiring I provide references for them before meeting face~to~face and a family requiring I meet w/them on more than 2 occasions. I also do not like it when a family tells me they are going to give me and 2 other nannies "trial periods," then pick one of us for permanent hire. While I understand the importance of a trial period, to string 3 nannies along, then choose one is just a waste of time for me.

Another deal~breaker is when a family wants to run a credit check of me.
I have no problem giving out my #SSN for a background/driving/address check, but my credit is not a family's business.

[Anonymous]

Good advice PP. I always insist on a phone conversation before meeting a family. I also refuse to give out my references unless I have established a family to be a mutually beneficial fit. Ask questions to the families about their family dynamic, expectations, parenting beliefs and make sure you are all on the same page. If there's a job you are truly interested in, ask genuine questions about their children. Example: Does Jonah have any allergies? What are some of his favorite activities? Show an interest and most families really respond well to that.

[Anonymous]

Two things I like to know are whether I'm allowed to take the kids out for a variety of outings (deal breaker if not) and if there are holidays they don't celebrate (so I don't do a Santa craft with a Jewish kid for example.)

Also I don't have a car so the parents need to be ok with the kids riding the bus, walking or riding bikes everywhere.

I ask about any dietary restrictions if things go well and if the parents taalk about kids personalities, I'll ask followup questions on that to get a feel for what they like to do, whether they're introverted and need alone time or extraverted and likely to walk off with a stranger etc.

In general I don't insist on a phone interview first because I search for jobs within a specific geographic area and because I tend to vet people out by email first. If I can't google them or their email address to verify they're who they say they are, then I probably won't proceed.

[Anonymous]

I want to ask a ton of questions before I accept a job with a family so I can be sure its a good fit. You have gotten some great responses from other posters. For me personally I want to know that a family is laid back about parenting in general - ie I don't want to have to fold kids clothing a particular way. I want to know how much/many holidays they take and I want to hear that if they take more holidays than I have (ie I have 4 weeks but they travel for 6) that it will all be paid.

Always check for kids (and parents) allergies - nothing worse than being a peanutbutter addict and the family being nut free!

[Anonymous]

As an employer, I would be impressed by a nanny first asking relevant questions to my children's ages that show she's interested in what our parenting philosophies are and how well this matches with hers. For example " I have experience with many babies and families and have found that a consistent approach with the parents is always best, do you mind sharing your thoughts on sleep practices, outdoor time, food etc." or if the kids are older "Does your son/daughter enjoy music, playing outside, arts and crafts projects, reading". These types of questions show that you have some interest in the kids not just a job, and are not clueless and assume all kids are alike or you will do as please anyway so why ask the parents.

You also should ask for what you want and make sure to speak up if there are certain things that really bother you and would ruin the job for you. For example, if employers being late bugs you say something like "With several weeks notice, I could be available for evening sitting but during the week I usually have evening commitments. Is the schedule that you are offering set or do you need more flexibility?" My answer would be no problem since our schedule is set but this allows someone who is in a different field and needs flexibility to clarify that no she may need you to stay an hour or two extra from week to week.

On benefits, if it isn't in the offer don't assume you will get it. Speak up and ask for what you want. You should be thoughtful beforehand to make sure your list is so long that you come off as a demanding pain in the ass but you also shouldn't keep your mouth shut about benefits that are really important to you. You should also think through which ones are most important and what compromises/counter offers you could present to make getting those more likely.

[Anonymous]

Regarding references...Great advice.

I NEVER give out references prior to meeting any family. I respect that my references have demanding and busy lives to lead. They work hard and come home to care for their young children. They don't have time to speak to strangers I have never even met.

Some families on CL ask to send in references prior to meeting so they feel comfortable meeting me. I suggest we meet somewhere in the daytime...perhaps a child-friendly public venue.

I notice on Sittercity and Care.com, both these websites highly recommend nannies post their references phone #s, with their permission of course. They state the nannies who do this usually have a much better chance to get jobs.
I cry foul.

I want my references to stay my references and do not want to exhaust them in any manner.

So I always make sure both me and any potential families are on the same page regarding pay, hours, benefits, child-rearing philosophies, etc. before I submit my references.

If any family INSISTS on needing references prior to meeting in person, I would run.

[Anonymous]

I didn't insist on candidates providing references before the 2nd in person interview but to be honest the ones that did gained an advantage. I had 4 candidates that I scheduled in person interviews with after the phone screening. Two candidates gave me their references whom I called before the interview. Two candidates said they would want to provide them after the interview. I did one interview with a candidate who did not provide a reference beforehand, and the next two interviews were with the ones that had given them.

The two candidates who did give their references beforehand ended up on the top of the list. I ended up making an offer to one of them and just canceled the in person interview with the 4th candidate (who hadn't provided a reference). I also didn't bother to contact the other candidate's reference that she provided after the interview. To be honest, if the other two candidates had given their references and their references were really positive then they may have had a better chance. Since the first two were really good and references were taken care of already, there was no reason to bother with the other two so they lost out.