We have started the process of interviewing nannies. Can anyone offer tips beyond checking references and running a background check? Any favorite interview questions?
Thanks in advance!
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following!
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Much more important than specific questions, in my experience, was watching the potential nanny interact with your baby. It's kind of a "trust your gut" kind of thing.
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@AmandaB8: Amanda, I have a draft contract if you want to see one. It's from our first choice who fell through. She came with a very strong referral from someone we trust a lot, but she found a job that started sooner than ours and decided to take it. Send me your email address if you'd like to see what we are starting with.
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Once you've narrowed it down, I think a trial week or two are really necessary. A lot of it comes down to that "click" between LO and nanny, and that's something that an interview isn't going to help you figure out.
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Mrs. Bee posted a really long list of questions on the blog.
My favorite was to describe a typical day with a "X month old." I also agree that watching interactions with baby and finding out general personality is important. For example, one nanny I interviewed was kind of quiet, but I tend to be kind of quiet at home too...so I didn't feel like it would be a good complement to me. I wanted someone who was extremely verbal and outgoing. I also prefer someone who is pretty Type A about cleanliness and being organized (I'm not) because it is more natural for someone like that to help me in those areas.
I found it EXTREMELY awkward at first, but it was better after awhile. I would definitely also do a trial first,although you can't learn a ton in just one session...a week or a few days would be even better.
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I'm posting these links that were helpful to me. It includes how to evaluate what you want and how to interview and evaluate a candidate. I will say that it is directed towards parents living in Brooklyn, NYC specifically, so some of the references to pay, etc. may not be applicable to you.
http://www.parkslopeparents.com/Nanny-101/hiring-a-babysitter-part-1-preparation.html
http://www.parkslopeparents.com/Nanny-101/hiring-a-babysitter-part-3-on-the-job.html
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@BKCaribBaby: That's exactly what I was going to post! I found those resources incredibly helpful.
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I agree with @septca: and @PermaStudent:! The last family I nannied for said that the biggest thing that made them choose me was the way I interacted with their LO.
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Thanks all! We met someone last night who we really liked! We have another candidate coming tonight.
We have already lost our first two candidates to jobs that are starting sooner, so we may still be too early for our search. This is so complicated! There are a ton of nannies who work in our town though, so at least there is a pool to choose from.
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This is all so helpful! Thanks, ladies!
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