Nanny Interview Questions asked by Parents

Nanny Interview Questions asked by Parents

Here you can find a list of questions that we usually use when interviewing an applicant about her personal lifestyle and her beliefs. We may change our interview process according to our client’s needs. Caring4Children is always here to assist our clients and make easy and fast the process of hiring the best applicant for your needs.

• What three adjectives would your friends use to describe you?

• Are you a morning person? Are you able to start your day early?

• What age children do you prefer to take care of?

• Do you enjoy playing with dogs and are you comfortable with them?

• How do you handle conflict with your boss?

• What is your family background and what did you do in your early years. What drove you to become a nanny?

• Which qualities do you think are important in a nanny?

• What do you like most about being a nanny?

• Do you have any future plans (attending school, moving, having children of your own) that would affect how long you can stay with this job?

• Do you feel that you are organized, efficient, creative, and flexible? Please give examples.

• Do you have any health problems?

• Do you smoke?

• Do you like to cook? Are you comfortable cooking healthy meals to the family?

• What was your last job and why did you leave it?

• What were the two best and worst parts of the job?

• What are the ages of the children you’ve cared for?

• Have you had (or are you willing to get) CPR and First-Aid training?

• What is your opinion about screen time with children?

• Do you feel that a routine is important for children?

• What are your views on discipline?

• Can you help children with school homework?

• Do you speak any other language other than English?

• Do you have your own transportation?

• Do you have any questions or anything you’d like to bring up with me?

Parents, make sure the nannies' answers are according to the life style and personal believes of your family, or if a nanny has a different opinion than what you believe is correct, talk with her, and you may come to a agreement to what is best to your children. Caring4Children will interview all candidates, to make sure your family has a good match according to your needs.

What kind of help would you get from a Nanny?

                                                                  

What kind of help would you get from a Nanny?

First of all, we should have in mind that “taking care of kids” is not the same that “watching kids”.  The question is: What do parents expect when they decide to hire a nanny?

We know that people are different in many ways. Nannies and Parents usually have different kind of opinions. When a parent does not know what kind of education they want to provide to their child, they tend to expect a nanny to do it for them. In that case, hiring a nanny will probably turn into a disturb instead of being a help. 

I say that because kids usually copy the adults who they spend more time with, that’s the reason why parents need to be very careful and participant when defining the nanny’s set of duties and kind of approach that are supposed to be taken by her, since it must be consistent with what they believe is a good education. I mean the nanny has to follow the same point of view of the parents when they are absent.

I suppose that parents know when it’s time to say  “Yes” and “No”. Most kids are curious and hard to convince, so if they see you are doing something different, they will want to do it as well, then, you'll need much effort to make them understand why they can’t do it. Parents have to be stiff when saying “NO”, because children will try hard to make them say “YES”. It is more about teaching them who is on control than just avoiding them to see someone doing what they can’t do. When a child is raised under that kind of discipline, the nanny wouldn’t have much problems in following the same method. Just don’t be that kind of parents who let the nanny be the bad Guy of the story, the one that always says NO, and you the ones who always says Yes, cover them by kisses, hugs, Love and presents. It needs to be 50%/50% since it is a team work.

On the other hand, I find a big mistake when some parents decide to hire a nanny just to watch the kid while they are not around, and do not  allow her to discipline or even to treat the kid with much affection. They think all the nanny has to do is to make sure the kids are safe, clean and fed. They believe ­­­­that way, they can keep themselves as the only education reference, the bosses, and the ones the kids most Love and need. But that’s not as simple as it seems to be. Maybe It would work just for few hours, in case of a babysitting but not for a nanny. 

The kids use to have difficult times when they have two different kind of influences around telling them what to do all the time. If both don’t take the same direction, that becomes confusing and stressful for the kids. Therefore, when the parents do not let the nanny discipline the kids when she is in charge, kids will probably drive her crazy , and besides that they will only behave well when their parents arrive. Now I ask: Do you really want to hire someone to be there for your kids, taking care of them, teaching them, and besides making them safe also making them happy instead of just watching them? If the answer is yes, I can say for sure that you should hire a nanny,and remember to allow her to help disciplining them as well.

Based on this discussion , what I mean is that parents need to lead the nanny about the things they allow the kids to do and what they can’t do, giving her orientation but also authority and autonomy to discipline and to educate the kids according to their rules. On the other hand, they are supposed to talk with the kids about who is the boss when their parents are not there, and about the consequences they will have to face if they don’t listen to the nanny, because she will report to them all their bad and good behavior. It is very important that the kids listen to the nanny, otherwise, they will assume that the nanny is their maid and when their parents are absent and also they are on control. Being respectful is a fundamental which should be taught by parents before the nanny’s arrival.

As I mentioned before, Parents are afraid about losing the Love of their kids, they also hate the idea of having someone else raising their kids instead of themselves. That’s is understandable but not a reason to freak out, since it does not occur so commonly. Kids hardly Love a nanny more than their mommy and daddy, it is something so natural that is hard to explain. I believe when it happens it is because the parents really don’t care about their kids and do not give them any sort of Love.­­ The parent’s Love is the first and the greatest Love a kid gets to know in life and I am sure when they show their kids how deep their love for them is, even after getting absent for work or for a trip, kids will anxiously wait until they get home and they get to see them again. 

A nanny never replaces the parents. That’s a fact.  She is there to help them taking care and also disciplining the little ones, doing the best for them. Of course she is also going to give them some Love. There’s nothing wrong about letting someone love your kid. Actually, that’s a guarantee she is going to do her best and take good care of your children.

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How to Find a Good Nanny?

      

 How to find a good nanny?

When searching for a nanny, most parents agree a nanny has to have a specific set of skills. That is right at some point.  So, let’s list 6 skills that are essential based on parents'opinion:

1-  First Aid course: It’s the most essential item of the list. Kids are usually playing, running around, and getting in trouble. When kids get hurt, they need someone who is prepared to deal with emergencies.

2-  Experience: It makes nannies more self-confident and independent, that means they won’t need so much help from the parents to deal when kids are not behaving so well.

3- Driver’s license: The longer she has it, the better. She will need to drive the kids around eventually,  and knowing she is a experienced driver, it makes parents more comfortable.

4-  To be single or married with no kids: Being on her own, probably will provide her more available time to work, besides that, busy parents usually need much time.

5-  Graduation. It’s not a requirement but it’s a plus. (nursing and education are more searched areas)

6  Suitable personality: She needs to love kids, to be patient, careful, kind,  honest, hardworking, flexible, loyal, respectful, polite, and etc.

However, I have to say that only by looking for specific features doesn’t make the search safe and effective. I really believe, that’s not enough to choose a good nanny. The most important issue a parent needs to consider is the nanny recommendations. She needs to have a reference. What she writes or says about herself is not enough. Parents have to hear about her from who knows her better or who have verified her background. 

Even though those issues can probably be checked on an interview, and nannies can provide their reference by mentioning families who they worked for before your family, I question myself: Will busy parents be able to dedicate enough time to interview several candidates, to call the referred families , check the criminal background of the nannies, rate them and finally find the right one to choose? It is too much work for parents who really need to find the perfect nanny as soon as possible. It takes time to find someone who is loving, patient, kind, dedicated, hardworking, reliable, able to take care of kids, to keep them safe, teach and discipline them.

So that’s the reason why I suggest them to choose a good agency first of all. I think choosing a good agency is not hard, the parents just have to check their work, how careful they are in the selection process of the families and nannies, how much support they give and then, let the rest of work for the reliable agency you just pick. The agency will select exactly specific nannies whose profiles match with the parent’s expectations. That way,  they won’t need to talk to several girls, plus, they will save time and go trough a quicker and trusty process.

Based on my opinion, considering that I have been on the shoes of a nanny, the second import thing to be regarded besides choosing an agency is “forgetting the nannies' skills for now”. I know that is kind of confusing but considering that the agency already selected girls who fit those requirements, you won’t have to worry about it. The fewer worries, the better. 

The best decision is to hire someone who you and your family will get along with. Since your kids are going to spend a lot of time with her, and you will have to give her rules which need to be followed, that’s why I find that nannies work better when they have a good connection and a nice and friendly relationship with the family they are working for. Both needs to see each other sides and difficulties, so they can work it out together thinking always about the best for the kids. 

Children needs happy people around to be happy too. Honestly, I believe that much experienced nannies are used to act and discipline in their specific way, if that way matches with the families' beliefs, it’s fine, if not, that’s a problem. Because they would have difficulties to change it in case their methods are not compatible with the parents’ approach. I think experience is necessary,  but it is not decisive. 

A nanny needs to be more adaptable than experienced. When the girl are flexible and loving, I am sure it won’t be hard for her to adjust into the family's rules. In this case the parents need to be patient to teach her, but if she is a perfect match, it won't take long until she is completely adapted to your family. Agency is the best and safer choice for families and nannies, because it assures that both sides are nice, reliable and responsible people.

By Na. Almeida

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Time-Out for Kids. Does it really Work?

Time-Out for Kids 

Does it really work?

When I started taking care of children in US, I was taught this method of discipline for kids called: Time-Out. When I was an Au Pair, I took care of a little boy who at the time was 3 years old. His parents told me that he was supposed to be on "the corner" around 1 min per age, so in his case, he was supposed to get in time-out for 3 minutes.

This little boy was in time-out many times per day. I rarely put him in time-out, his parents on the order hand, used to put him in time-out constantly. He used to scream and cry so loudly, and the parents were tired, and nervous every time their child was in time-out. I can affirm that time-outs wasn't changing his behavior, instead, it was making it worse transforming him into a mad, nervous child.

One day his parents took him to their lake house, and when he returned from the weekend, I asked him how his weekend was. He answered to me, "I was in time-out." I asked him why he was in time-out, and his answer to me was that he didn't know why. Believe me, most kids they don't even know why they are in time-out. If you don't believe me do a test, and let me know later. Ask a child the reason she or he was in time-out, they’d probably say they don't know. However, if you talk with your child after a bad behavior and explain why something they are doing is wrong, they'd probably have learned his/her lesson and can tell you what they have learned from their bad behavior.

After a few months when I was more adapted to the American culture, his parents expected me to do the same kind of kids' discipline. So, I did. When I tried to put this little boy in time-out, all the expected "show" started again: screaming and crying from his part, following for an apology for something he didn't even remember, and me: tired, with a fast heart beating from picking him up because every time he ran away from time-out, followed by sadness from my part for seeing him crying for this kind of discipline.

After a few months or one year taking care of this little boy, I started to understand him from inside out. I knew when he was sad, when he was in trouble, I knew when he was happy, I knew when he had a bad day or good day at school. I truly knew him without he saying one word. I think most mothers can relate to this feeling. He also knew me so well, and if I had a long day at school too, he used to say to me, "Mari, are you tired?"

After knowing him in such a deep way, I started to not use "time-outs" or "corners" anymore. Instead, I used to talk with him. We talked a lot, all day long :), he was kind of "my little friend", and I loved to have this new and special connection with him. When I looked at him in a different way, just by using the expressions on my face, I could let him know he did something wrong that I didn't approve.

My friends used to tell me this little boy was easy because he was a single child, and he was easy by nature. I can guarantee you, he had a big temper with him parents, he was a very strong boy, and yes, sometimes he drove me crazy ;), but almost all the time, he was a very easy well-behaved boy with me, and I thank this to my new way to discipline kids: talking with them and teaching them the differences between right and wrong.

After the au pair year ended, and I started taking care of other children, I had a pleasure to work with an European family. Their girls were the best girls I have ever seen. I also learned a lot working for their family. These girls were so great that other kids' parents used to ask me how were the girl's parents views on discipline.

Working for this family I could transform and adapt what I already knew: time-outs don't change the child's bad behavior, it's temporary, and it doesn't make your child to become a better and knowledgeable person.

I suggest nannies and parents do not put kids in time out, even when it is the way parents punish their children when they do something bad. Instead of putting kids in time out when a child breaks a rule, I suggest nannies to try to talk with child using a different tone of voice (a little louder than its regular tone of voice). Do not yell at a child! This is very important because when people yell at them, they learn it’s an “okay” behavior, and kids usually learn by copying our behavior.

I have so many "nanny stories" to tell, but I have almost used the ‘talking discipline’ almost all the time with all different kids I babysat. With my experience I can advice you to talk with you child, and explain to them why what they are doing is wrong. At the end, you are going to have a well-behaved, happy child who understands about rules, and you on the other hand, are going to feel in control, calm, and happy.

By Mariana S Morais

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Why Hiring a Nanny can be crucial for Your Business Growing

Why Hiring a Nanny can be crucial for Your Business Growing

My message today is for women who intend to go back to work, and share the reasons why hiring a nanny can be crucial for your career and business growing.

Maybe your kids passed the toddler phase or you have teenagers kids. Maybe your family needs financial help from one more parent, or you simply miss your career and want to start working again. Whatever your reason is to start a new business, if you are going back to work, you will need to hire someone to help taking care of your house and kids while you are at work.

Talking with lots of stay-at-home mothers, I hear a lot of them saying they desire to go back to work, however at the same time, they struggle leaving their kids at home with a nanny. We have seen so much emphasis on child-mother bond on books, "mom and me" classes, or traditional fathers, who expect their partners to stay home taking care of children, and it can make you feel guilty for not been in your house 24/7.

You invested a lot in your education, training, you had dreams for your career life, and the idea of stay-at-home mom for the rest of your life, it's going to be difficult to be accepted once your kids grow up and don't need you anymore.

According to my experience hearing from mothers who took a career break and want to go back to work, the sooner you get back to your career, the better. Otherwise, it's going to be almost impossible for you to relaunch your career. And let me tell you something that I know for sure, Your Kids are Always to Love You First, no matter if you work part time, or full time, and no matter how much your kids love their nanny and how strong their bond is.

Here is the secret to have a more work-personal life balanced: You Need To Treat Your Nanny the Same Way You'd like to be Treated at Your Job. It includes paying for at least 1 week paid vacation, major US holidays, sick days, bonus, etc. Don't forget to treat her nicely too as a person, be kind, and generous. She is taking care of your kids, than it makes sense to make the surrounds for a nanny and kids a peaceful place.

I know cases of families, who don't pay a nanny a good salary, and sometimes a nanny can accept the job, but as soon as she finds another job that pays her better, she will leave your family. Changing nannies constantly can make kids insecure and upset, because, once they get used to the nanny and start creating a bond with her if she leaves apparently for no reason, the kid can feel guilty or misunderstand that people always leave them because they do not love them.

So, If you are going back to work or start a new business, you need to not worry about your family.  Hiring a good nanny will pay off at the end. Hiring and keeping a happy nanny will make you have the emotional support you need to focus in your career and grow your business. Besides, having a trusty nanny to take care of your children while you are not at home, will provide you a quiet time with no kids around plus a peaceful mind due the certainty they are under good hands. By coming back home, you will probably have a better use of your time with your kids, since, you are going to be missing each other, and once you meet them, you will be all they want and need at that moment with no stress around.

Your kids may complain at the beginning not having their mother with them all the time, and having a new nanny. However, you need to explain your children at that moment, that it is what you have to do to be successful and provide a better future for your family.

By Mariana S Morais

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