Interviewing Nannies

• Review the nanny applications you have received
• Conduct an initial phone interview to assess the nanny's suitability
• If the nanny is local, have an interview in person
• Ask for references and call them
  • References from overseas may not speak English and expectations of a nanny in those countries may be different
  • Ask specific questions about the nanny and how she worked, why she left; a good question to ask is what are her best and worst qualities (they are forced to say something negative since no one is perfect - you should assess how negative the most negative thing is)
  • Take references with a grain of salt since referees who fired a nanny may be worried about giving a bad reference, and so may not be honest
• Red Flags
  • Being at a job for less than the full 2 year contract (unless a family moves or has financial issues, most other reasons are often just an excuse since no one fires a good nanny)
  • Inability of applicant to answer basic common sense and safety questions
• Ask about the prospective nanny's expectations regarding wages and hours before you describe your offer (once they know what you want and are offering, it will be hard to assess if they will really be happy with it - sometimes they are so desperate for a job they will take anything initially).