What to ask a nanny at interview

The essentials

The standard half

Experience and background, health and safety, professionalism, feeding and routines, sleep and settling, emotional connection and behaviour, and the practicalities of hours, duties and contract terms. Twenty-six questions, ending with the one most parents forget to ask: is there anything you'd like to ask us as parents?

The awkward half

These are the "awkward but essential" questions parents often avoid, and absolutely shouldn't. They are the questions that protect your child, and arguably matter more than the basic questions everyone asks. Twenty-five of them, covering boundaries, honesty, discipline, confidentiality, safety, illness, screens, motivation and who decides what.

Listen for

Confidence, warmth and realism, not rehearsed answers. Flexibility and respect for your parental choices and parenting style. Patience, empathy and consistency all matter.

One answer that isn't enough

"I'd call the mum" should not be the only answer to every question.

On mistakes

You're listening for openness, not defensiveness. Everyone makes mistakes — safe carers own them, or at the very least acknowledge them, and reflection and improvement can be taught.

On not knowing

Hesitation around safety matters a great deal. Not knowing something is okay, and skills can be taught — what matters is knowing you don't know, rather than faking knowledge.

Confidence, not overstepping

You want confidence without overstepping from a nanny. That's what makes for a settled and trusting home.

It goes both ways

Pay attention to the questions you get asked, too. It's an interview for both of you.

If the answers fall short

Struggling with these questions doesn't make someone unsuitable. At the Early Years Collective we train skills, reflection, communication and problem solving — if your instinct says a nanny is a good fit for your family but needs further training, get in touch.