How to interview/vet a nanny
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Anonymous
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MB here. I am somewhat embarrassed to be asking this question because we have hired a nanny before but frankly, I don't think we did a great job--we just wanted to get the search done with and find someone, and snatched up the first decent candidate. She has been a solid but not wonderful nanny. She is now moving on for personal reasons and we're going to hire someone else. We pay good rates, $18/hour for primarily one child, a toddler (second child in school and she is home occasionally, but not much). I know that our current nanny has been very happy working with us and it's very important to us that we treat her well.
I'd welcome advice on the interview process. What are good questions to ask nannies, over the phone and in person? Should we do a working interview (paid of course) where she spends time with the kids? What questions should we ask references? We also had a lot of difficulty the first time around finding someone who was willing to be paid legally, and I am anticipating similar troubles this time. That's one reason we wound up offering a higher rate, we were competing with other families paying more like $14/$15 per hour cash. Frankly I'd like to pay a little less but I'm not sure how doable that will be. Any advice from MBs or nannies would be welcome. Thanks! |
Anonymous
| Have you searched this forum for interview questions? Be sure to offer your best candidates references for yourself and your husband. |
Anonymous
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A working interview is a good idea. References don't mean much to me, you never know if they're telling the truth or if its just a friend helping the nanny out. It's best to see how she does for yourself.
I think $18/hr before tax is very reasonable. |
Anonymous
| Only if you are able to get a nanny you want, is 18. a "good" rate. Many top nannies earn 20-25 and more, for one child in the Washington area. |
Anonymous
Ignore this poster. This is absolute bs |
Anonymous
Warning: I'm a very list-oriented person. 
First, I'd create a list with your job expectations and benefits. This will be great to have, because you can use it as a jumping off point for your work agreement. -$18/hr before taxes for x amount of hours, $27/hr if there is any overtime (based on your post, I'm assuming you only use the nanny for 40 hours per week) -what child-related tasks you want done, and what (if any) non-child related tasks you want done -x amount of paid vacation, including if nanny chooses them all or if you choose half and the nanny picks half (how much notice does the nanny need to give before vacation?) -x amount of federal holidays (and specify which ones) -x amount of sick days (how much notice do you want? Of course the night before is ideal, but my work agreement says 1 hour before work.) -If you know specific days nanny will have the older child (ie teacher work days, school holidays, etc.) -What happens when the child(ren) is/are sick? Do you want nanny with them no matter what? Or will you or your DH stay home in the instance of vomiting/fever? Yes, a working interview is a great idea. Have you ever considered a nanny share? It would help lower the amount you pay. Questions for references: -How long nanny was with them -Ages of child(ren) when nanny started -strengths of nanny -weaknesses of nanny -If nanny drove the child(ren) -If nanny is more of a proactive type, or if she needs a little (or a lot of) guidance Questions for nannies: -First thing I'd say is that you are only interested in paying legally, on the books. That will (hopefully) weed out some of the candidates you don't want. I'd reiterate this in person when you do an in-person interview. -Their experience. What age range have they worked with? -Driving record -Will they be comfortable submitting to a background check |
Anonymous
What is it about common sense that you don't like? Or are you fighting the fact that nannies can, and do earn $25. for one child? |
Anonymous
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During a phone interview, I would simply ask general questions to get a feel for the nanny's personality. Ask her a little about herself. How long she has been a nanny, how many families she has worked for, what her rates are, what household duties she is comfortable doing, etc. Get a feel for her personality. Does she seem laid back and casual? Outgoing and friendly? Or do her answers seem rehearsed? Do you find yourself carrying the conversation? If things go well, then schedule an interview. Make sure the child is there and see how the nanny interacts w/him or her. Get a feel if she is simply faking it or if her interaction w/your child is for real. Does she talk in age appropriate language? Does she do age appropriate things w/him? Also, feel free to ask more direct questions during this informal interview. If hired, what activities would she do w/your child? Ask her to describe a typical day. Has she worked w/other children in this age group? How long ago? How does she handle the age-related challenges that occur?
If you are satisfied w/her answers, I would go ahead and ask for between 3-5 references. At least 2-3 work references if possible, and the rest can be character references or from professors, church members, etc. I would also run a background check on her (your own independent one) and make a copy of her driver's license for your records. If CPR/First Aid is important to you, ask for a copy of her certificates as well as proof of any shot records required by you. Yes, a working interview, paid of course is a great idea. Let her interact + care for your child while you are home near by. That way if any questions arise, which is highly likely, you will be right there to answer them. Perhaps do some laundry or light housework while she cares for your child. Once you hire her, I also recommend a trial period. Even if things look great on the onset, certain things may occur once the job takes effect that may make one party realize this may not be a good match. A month to six weeks usually is enough time to see if it is a good match. And YES, most of all, offer a good salary. There is nothing worse than offering a low pay rate to the person who will be caring for your most precious commodity. If you do not value your child, how do you expect someone else to? Hope this helps. Good luck. |
Anonymous
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When talking to references:
"If you had to pick 3 things to change about X to make her the world's best nanny, what would they be?" "What was your child's favorite thing about X?" What did X most often do with your child?" "Can you give me an example of how X resolved a conflict with you?" For nanny: "What has your experience been with children the same age as Larla and Aiden?" "What is the best/worst thing about Larla's age group? About Aiden's?" "What is your favorite age group with which to work? Why" "What do you like to do with kids this age?" "Can you give me an example of a typical schedule for Larla?" "What was the best nanny position you've ever had? What made it the best?" "What was the hardest nanny position you've had? Wha made it hard?" "How did you get into nannying? What do you like about it?" "What would you like to be doing professionally 5 years from now?" "What are some of your strengths and weaknesses as a nanny?" |
Anonymous
| don't ask for references before you meet the nanny. When a parent is stuck on this issue I move on to another family. I don't think I would want all my information passed out to complete strangers so I do the same for my past families whether I liked them or not. |
Anonymous
You do this on every thread you possibly can and it's getting really old. Nannies do not make $25/hr for one child. No one in an industry that is unregulated, requires no formal training or certification, and is completely flooded with competent employees has any right demanding such an outrageous rate. If you do indeed make this much, which I highly doubt, your employers are being duped...I hope they find out soon. Then you will be right back here with all of the other nannies who are more than happy to make $15-20/hr. |
Anonymous
What's your point? |
Anonymous
Reading between the lines is hard, hey? My point is that you are full of shit. |
Anonymous
| Many housekeepers earn even more than 25. an hour, PP. I doubt anyone cares much if you approve. |
Anonymous
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17:30 is right. No person with a modicum of financial sense would pay a nanny more than the market rate in DC. That rate is $15-18/hr for one child.
Crazy nanny who wants to make $25/hr is just that. Crazy. |