5 Questions to Ask a Nanny Applicant before Hiring

When searching for a total stranger that will be hired to provide care to your kids, stress is a given. Life today can be tough, and it is important to follow your heart in the matter of hiring a nanny. Not everyone can be trusted to be in your house alone and caring for your kids, and being careful when selecting a nanny that is candid and competent is of paramount importance. Investing in a security camera from Safe Nanny Cam may be a good idea.

How can the process be less stressful and how can you select the correct custodian? The queries you pose to the custodian are a vital part of the meeting , and there should be some follow up done as well. Regardless of whether or not the custodian is recommended by a real care-giving organization, the queries are a vital part of deciding whether the person is a fit for your kids.

There will be many sensations and sentiments that accompany the interview process which cannot be avoided. Imagine that you are the Human Resources person taking care of both parenting and contracting. In selecting the questions you will be posing to the nanny, that is an important factor to remember. Questions that should take priority are questions that will clue you in on the prospective nanny’s temperament, characteristics, academic history, and time they have spent as a nanny prior to being hired by you.

Ask the prospective caregiver about the children they've taken care of in the past including the ages, personality types and how they'd react in certain situations. Take the time to describe your child/children's personalities, ages and types of things that your children like to do. In addition, have a list of questions ready that are general and based on the age of your children.

The next question to ask is what do they find most appealing about being a nanny and taking care of the children in their home versus working in a daycare center? This will give you an idea of why your prospective caregiver is working in a home environment where activities are one-on-one rather than a group setting.

Have them describe their worst childcare experience and their reaction and resolution to the situation. In this way, you'll learn how they handle stressful situations and the types of steps they took to reach a resolution of the issues involved. This is a subjective question; however, it will show you if the prospective caregiver is in sync with your core values and methods for problem resolution.

Determine the method of correction used on the caregiver during his or her formative years, which will help you know what their instincts for handling naughty children are. Providing care for children can be an exhausting occupation, most particularly when the bond between the kid/kids and the custodian is forming. You will need to have the peace of mind that your caregiver will react in a way that is consistent with your methods of dealing with issues when the children are giving him or her a hard time. Many people will use the methods that they are accustomed to using when under stress, and it is an important part of having the confidence as a parent that the custodian will react in the correct manner.

Questions relating to the age of your children are vital, as managing children of different ages require different methods. Ask for any pertinent information about infants, such how much they cry, how they can be handled when grumpy, or the difficult toddler years. These questions will help you gauge the level of comfort your nanny can provide you in the care of your children, and you should follow your heart in this matter. Regardless of qualifications, look until you find the right person for you. Your children are your most priceless possessions, and you should only stop looking once you have selected the correct person.

About the author:
Julie Wilson is a parenting expert. She has authored many artilces on the topic. She lives in Norfolk, VA with her husband and three kids.