Nanny Questions

I worked as a nanny for a year. Ask about housekeeping (what they expect from you for what they're paying), travelling with the kids (your car or theirs, who pays for gas, etc), discipline (you all need to be consistent with the 2 year old; are you comfortable doing what the parents do?). Is the 2 year old ready to potty train; what are their philosophies on that? Do you bring your own lunch or do they mind if you eat their food?

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When I was interviewing for nannies earlier this year, here are some of the questions I asked:

Are you comfortable driving my children short distances? Will it be okay with you to keep a set of car seats in your car? You may also be asked to show your driving record if that's going to be part of the job.

What are your favorite activities? Do you spend time outside? What were your favorite games to play and things to do when you were a kid?

What is your discipline strategy? What if it doesn't work?

What is a normal daily menu for you? (I wanted to know if they ate healthier or crammed in the junk all day.)

I already had background checks and CPR records on them, but I would ask questions about those things if I didn't. I also asked for references -names, locations and phone numbers, and I checked.

Have you ever had an emergency with a child in your care? How did you or how would you react?

How do you feel about dogs?

How comfortable are you with getting dirty?

Would you be willing to travel for up to a week with us?

Do you want to be paid weekly, bi-monthly or monthly? What about taxes?

Do you have a significant other? If so, it's important to clear it with me before that person or any of your friends meet you out with the kids or come over.

Do you have anything coming up that you may need to be absent for?

I also just chatted with them to find their comfort level and to see if I thought we would mesh and if she would be comfortable in my home.

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Everything Leslie said, and also make sure you discuss sick days, vacation, holiday and pay related to those. Who is the first point of contact in an emergency (after 911 of course)? Where in the house is the first aid supplies, fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide detector, smoke detector. Do they mind if you arrange play dates with other nannies and kids?

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Ask her how she will spend the day. Also insist on a background check and do search using radaris and such to see who all lives at her house.
Then check them out.
Nanny needs to know if she is to cook, clean, etc.. Also NO VISITORS EVER at the house and she MAY NOT talk on the phone.

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I nanny for a family. You need to ask the following during your visit

what discipline techniques do they use ex(1,2..3? time outs etc..)
what are the nap schedules?
What are the feeding / food schedules?
What books, toys are favorites? what does the two year old like to play?
Do you have carseats? do they have extras? are you allowed to go to the park etc? does the little one have play dates?
is there a house phone? land line?
what is the policy on TV? (Under 2 it is really not recommended)
are there any allergies?

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Discipline style. You need to be sure you understand how they parent so your style is not too contradictory to theirs, it is their children after all.

i went to school to become a nanny... their is alot to go over. will you be expected to teach the 2 year old? do they have allergies? do you know cpr/first aid? is the 2 year old potty trained? do YOU need to be doing that (which if you are there you would be im guessing) do you have your own car, will you be taking them to the zoo museums music class ect. hope this helps!

There are lots of good online resources for this. The following link is a list of recommended questions to ask nannies:

http://www.4nanny.com/interview_questions.shtml

It wouldn't be a bad idea for you to type "interview questions for nannies" in a search engine. You will find lots of sites addressing this. You can also find tons of resources for nannies, which may be a good idea to look through, especially if you are new to being a nanny. Here is one example:

http://www.nannynetwork.com/library/NannyLib/nanfaq.cfm

to you:
Do you know CPR?
Have you ever been a nanny to children this age?
are you available whenever we need you?
can you pick them up from school or wherever when needed?

To them:
is there vacation time?
is there opportunity for a raise in the future?
What do you expect of me as far as playing, teaching, feeding?
Would you please write a step by step schedule of their feeding, nap time, etc and any allergies that they might have. You will learn this soon but at first you want it on paper as a reference. I work at a daycare and each baby has separate needs that I need to continue to refer to their mom's notes. Some babies choke easier than others, some shove food in their mouth, some older kids put everything in their mouth, some kids are busy and get into everything, etc
You didn't mention your age but as a mom, there are many things we worry about that could happen. YOu need to ALWAYS be watching those children. They can fall or get into something literally in ONE second. Good luck to you!

Allergies of children. What TV shows are the children allowed to watch? Will they leave a car seat for you to use. Vacation days and holidays for you. Is the job just taking care of the children or is laundry, cleaning and cooking required. What if you are sick?

I didn't see this but I could of overlooked it as I haven't slept yet! Make sure you ask if either of them are on meds and if they are make sure you know how to give them their meds and the right does. That is very important! Also ask if the toddler is allowed fruit! My kid's ex peds had a 2 year old son who choked on a grape while he was at work. There was nothing his wife could do! At that time his son was my son's age and it scared me cause I was feeding my son grapes. I just recommend you sit down and make a list of questions you want to ask and take it with you and write down the answers, that way the mother knows you are truly going to take care of her children!

can't help you there never been able to afford a nanny. I would ask to see how they run the household for a day first

Do you have infant and toddler CPR certification?

I'd also make sure you won't be texting or talking on the phone all day or turning on the TV other than the specific times I say I'm okay with.

D.