Anonymous wrote:I had a phone interview with a mother who, during the course of a five minute conversation, screamed at her children three different times and the children didn't seem to mind her at all. RED FLAG. I did not proceed with this family!!!

I never thought of this. I have been talking with potential families before and heard them interacting with their kids but have yet to hear anyone go ballistic or yell. You make a good point to watch out for.

I had a phone interview with a mother who, during the course of a five minute conversation, screamed at her children three different times and the children didn't seem to mind her at all. RED FLAG. I did not proceed with this family!!!

You can learn a great deal from the initial telephone interview and know if you want to meet in person. English fluency is most important, of course, but also level of education and manners. Rapport is also very important - that feeling that this is someone with whom you can "click".

Anonymous wrote:The nanny we hired (and now love) asked me questions on the phone about my child - his name, his age, what he likes to do, etc. It impressed me.

These are things she shouldn't have to ask. Most of that should be in the initial job description, and then you should be telling he more in depth info on the phone before she has a chance to ask any questions. If you have done due diligence there really shouldn't be many questions left unanswered for her to ask.

The nanny we hired (and now love) asked me questions on the phone about my child - his name, his age, what he likes to do, etc. It impressed me.

I'm a nanny and I agree with the previous nanny - on the phone interview, I am looking for rapport but also respect. I know that MBs are busy especially when working and looking for a new nanny, but I will not continue with the in person interview if the MB puts me on hold for more than the few seconds on the phone. Hiring a person to care for your children is too important not to give a short phone call your full attention.
Another red flag is if they say their last nanny "just up and left" or talk about how horrible their last nanny was. An MB told me that once and I politely declined her offer to meet.