Op I would not call it a red flag but I also wouldn't turn down any promising offers in the mean time. I assume she knows the nanny is actively interviewing with families who interviewed in their home and therefor will have a faster interview process.

MB here - I did a mix - some interviews in public places and a couple in the house. For first interviews the only ones I had come to our home were ones who were neighborhood referrals. If they were total strangers I met them in public somewhere and if I liked them I'd have them come to the house.

I interviewed a couple of people whom I knew right away weren't a fit, and one of whom was really uncomfortably pushy. I was very glad that she never got our home phone or address because she really was too aggressive and it made me uneasy.

Another candidate I knew right away was fantastic and she just came back to the house w/ me to meet the kids.

Don't take it personally OP, or as a major red flag.

I only interviewed at home if my husband could also be home. If he couldn't, I interview in public.

She probably wants to interview you out of earshot of the kids.

Try to view this from the MB's perspective. She's probably interviewing many candidates, none of whom she really knows. It doesn't make sense for her to invite all of these, essentially strangers, into her home.

my interviews are 50/50 public vs home I think. I think people are nuts for inviting a complete stranger to their home!

...you haven't even met her yet, can't you give her a chance to at least shake your hand before welcoming you into her home?

I've done it a few times. Usually the first of at least 2 interviews, the second being at their home.

I have a nanny interview set up through a nanny website I found. The mother wants to meet in public like a coffee shop. Every nanny interview I've ever been on (and i've been on many)before I've met them in their home and met their kids. I can understand you want to be cautious about inviting a stranger to your home, but I wonder should this be a red flag? My concern is this might be a mom who won't be very trusting of the nanny, will install nanny cameras, ect. Not that I have anything to hide but I need to work for someone who trusts me.