Make sure you’re prepared with these interview questions and answers for a nanny job

Being a nanny can be exciting, fun and fulfilling, but it’s also a huge responsibility. When interviewing for a nanny position, you should do everything you can to help ensure the family trusts you with their children. While it’s important to be prepared with common job interview questions and answers, there are nanny-specific questions you’ll want to make sure you’ve practiced beforehand. 

Common nanny interview questions

Here are a few of the most common nanny interview questions you may be asked by the family, and sample answer points to help you prepare. 

What is your favorite age to care for and why?

When asking this question, the interviewer wants to understand if you’ll be confident caring for children of all ages, especially theirs. Whether you’re interviewing with a nanny agency, or for a particular family, keep your answer flexible enough that they feel comfortable with leaving children of all ages in your care.

Key answer points:

• It’s important to be honest to make sure you’re a good fit for the family. If you don’t favor a particular age group over another, say so. Or, if you do have a particular age group you feel more comfortable caring for, share that.

• Share how you make sure you meet the needs of each age group, such as planning activities based on their personalities, skill levels and interests.

• Provide an example of how you’ve cared for children of different ages in the past. 

What did your typical day look like in your last nanny position?

The interviewer wants to understand what they can expect if they hire you. To answer, share how you planned out your days with the children, as well as how you included the parents in the decision making and planning process.

Key answer points:

• Discuss how you planned out each week’s schedule with the parents, made sure each activity met the needs of the children and was something everyone was comfortable with.

• Explain a typical day. Start with when you arrived at the home and end with when you left. Be sure to include highlights such as meals you cooked, activities you did with the children, errands you ran or chores you helped complete. Give specific examples.

• Share how you determine what activities are appropriate for the children, and how you go about incorporating their interests and needs. For example, perhaps one of the children loves animals, so you plan a monthly trip to the zoo. Or, you may have software programs or games to help a child learn to read while also playing and having fun. 

Are you looking to stay long-term with a family?

With this question, the interviewer is looking to understand your commitment to a family. It’s important that you share that you will take this job seriously and it’s not just a short-term job. 

Key answer points:

• Touch on how staying long-term with a family is beneficial for all parties. For example, it allows you to get to know the family more, develop a stronger relationship with the children, better understand their needs and form a trusting and comfortable relationship with the parents.

• You can also discuss how it’s important for children to have consistency with their care, preventing them from having to readjust to different nannies. 

What do you like best about being a nanny?

The best part of being a nanny should be the children, so your answer should reflect that. While it’s important to answer professionally, don’t be afraid to get a little bit personal with this answer. Share your passion and love for being a nanny and why, while also recognizing the responsibility and trust required. 

Key answer points:

• Caring for children is exciting, fun and a great responsibility. Talk about how being part of a child’s growth and development is so rewarding, and how you feel honored or privileged to be a part of it.

• Don’t be afraid to share your awareness that by spending so much time with the children, you’re an important influence in their lives. Embrace the impact you can make.

• If you have one, give an example of how nannying a family helped change your or their lives in some way. Or, share a memory or story you love about a time you were nannying.

What is your view on disciplining a child?

Disciplining children can be a touchy subject, and each family may have a different view on what is appropriate or inappropriate. Show the interviewer you can effectively handle a misbehaving child, as well as conform to the discipline style the family uses and is comfortable with. 

Key answer points: 

• Explain that while discipline is critical, especially for younger children to learn the difference between right and wrong and take responsibility for their actions, you understand each family uses discipline differently and you respect their style.

• You may also want to share what you do if you aren’t sure of the family’s discipline preferences. For example, first you give the child an age- and incident-appropriate verbal warning and opportunity to correct their behavior. Then, if the child continues to misbehave, you put them in timeout. 

Nanny interview questions to ask the family 

When you’re interviewing for a nanny position, it’s important to have some interview questions of your own prepared to ask the parents or family. By asking these questions, you can better understand if the family and job are a good fit for you.

Note that some of these questions may have been discussed throughout the interview, but you want to make sure you have a good understanding of the answers. Take time to get to know both the parents and the children, their lifestyle, expectations and what they need from a nanny.

1. Can you tell me a little more about your family?

2. What do you both do for work? What is your work schedule?

3. Are you able to guarantee a nanny’s hours every week?

4. How far in advance do you know about schedule changes?

5. Can you describe your parenting philosophy or style?

6. How would you describe your child? What is their temperament, personality and interests? What are some important things a nanny should know about them?

7. What does the child’s typical day/week schedule look like?

8. How do you discipline? What role would the nanny be required to play in discipline?

9. What characteristics are most important to you in a nanny?

10. What are the job expectations and responsibilities? (For example, would a nanny also be expected to cook meals, clean, run errands, etc.?)

Now, with your prepared list of questions and your ability to answer any of the questions in this article, you’ll be confident and ready to rock your nanny interview. Good luck!