Log InSign Up

14 Nanny Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various nanny interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.

Nanny Resume ExampleUse this template

or download as PDF

Common Nanny Interview Questions

How much experience do you have as a nanny?

An interviewer might ask "How much experience do you have as a nanny?" to a/an Nanny in order to gauge the level of experience and expertise the nanny has in caring for children. This is important because it can help the interviewer determine if the nanny is a good fit for the position and if they will be able to provide the level of care that is needed.

Example: “I have been working as a nanny for the past 5 years and have had the opportunity to care for children of all ages, from newborns to school-aged children. I have a strong understanding of child development and am able to create a safe and nurturing environment for children to grow and learn in. I am also experienced in managing multiple children at once and can easily adapt to different family dynamics.”

What methods do you use to discipline children?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a nanny. Firstly, it is important for the interviewer to get an idea of the nanny's parenting style and whether or not it would be compatible with the family's own parenting style. Secondly, the interviewer wants to know if the nanny is familiar with different methods of discipline and if she has a preference for one method over another. Finally, the interviewer wants to know if the nanny is able to effectively discipline children and if she has any experience doing so.

It is important for the interviewer to ask this question because it will give them a better understanding of the nanny's parenting style and whether or not she would be a good fit for the family. Additionally, it will allow the interviewer to gauge the nanny's experience with disciplining children and whether or not she is likely to be effective at it.

Example: “There is no one answer to this question as different nannies will have different methods of discipline, depending on their own personal style and what they feel works best with children. However, some common methods of discipline that nannies may use include verbal redirection (e.g. calmly telling the child what he or she should be doing instead of engaging in the undesirable behavior), time-outs (having the child sit in a designated spot for a brief period of time to calm down), and positive reinforcement (praising the child when he or she exhibits good behavior).”

What are your qualifications?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask "What are your qualifications?" to a nanny. First, they want to make sure that the nanny is qualified to care for their children. Second, they may be interested in the nanny's educational background and/or training. Finally, the interviewer may simply want to get to know the nanny better. Qualifications are important because they help to ensure that the nanny is able to provide the best possible care for the children.

Example: “I have a degree in early childhood education and I am a certified nanny. I have years of experience working with children of all ages, and I have a true passion for helping them grow and develop. I am patient, kind, and loving, and I believe that every child deserves to be nurtured and loved. I am also First Aid and CPR certified, and I have a clean driving record.”

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Some potential reasons an interviewer might ask about an applicant's strengths and weaknesses are to get a sense of their self-awareness and whether they have the ability to reflect on their own work. Additionally, this question can give the interviewer insight into how the applicant sees themselves in relation to the job they are applying for and whether they have a realistic understanding of the skills required for the role. It is important for interviewers to ask about both an applicant's strengths and weaknesses so that they can get a well-rounded sense of the person and whether they would be a good fit for the position.

Example: “My strengths include being patient, caring, and organized. I am also good at multitasking and staying calm under pressure. As for weaknesses, I sometimes have trouble saying "no" to people and can be a bit too perfectionistic.”

How would you deal with a child who was acting out?

An interviewer would ask this question to a nanny to get a sense of how the nanny would handle a difficult situation. This is important because it can give the interviewer insight into the nanny's parenting style and whether or not they would be a good fit for the family.

Example: “There are a few different ways that I would deal with a child who was acting out. First, I would try to figure out what the child is trying to communicate. If the child is acting out because they are angry, sad, or frustrated, I would try to talk to them and help them express their feelings in a more constructive way. If the child is acting out because they are seeking attention, I would try to give them positive attention when they are behaving well and ignore the negative behavior. Finally, if the child is acting out because they are bored or have too much energy, I would try to provide them with some fun activities or outlets for their energy.”

What would you do if the parents were not home and you had to make a decision about the children?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. First, they may be trying to gauge how you would handle a situation where you are left in charge of the children. This is important because it shows whether or not you are capable of making decisions on your own and being responsible for the children. Second, they may be trying to see if you are comfortable with making decisions about the children's care without the parents' input. This is important because it shows whether or not you are able to work independently and make decisions that are in the best interests of the children. Finally, they may be trying to see if you are able to think on your feet and handle a situation that is not planned. This is important because it shows whether or not you can handle unexpected situations and still take care of the children.

Example: “If the parents were not home and I had to make a decision about the children, I would first assess the situation and determine if there was an emergency. If there was an emergency, I would take whatever actions necessary to ensure the safety of the children. If there was not an emergency, I would use my best judgement to make a decision that would be in the best interests of the children.”

What is your experience with special needs children?

An interviewer would ask "What is your experience with special needs children?" to a nanny in order to gauge what level of care the nanny is capable of providing. This is important because it helps the interviewer determine whether or not the nanny is a good fit for the position.

Example: “I have experience working with children with special needs in both home and school settings. I am familiar with a variety of disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. I am comfortable providing personal care, administering medication, and performing other tasks as needed to support the child's individual needs. I am patient and compassionate, and I work well with both children and their families.”

What are your availability?

An interviewer would ask "What are your availability?" to a/an Nanny to find out what times the Nanny is available to work. This is important because the interviewer needs to know if the Nanny is available to work at the times they need someone to watch their children.

Example: “I am available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.”

What are your rates?

Nannies typically charge hourly rates, so the interviewer is likely trying to determine if the nanny's rates are in line with their budget. It is important for the interviewer to know the nanny's rates so that they can determine if they can afford to hire her.

Example: “My rates are very reasonable and depend on the number of children, their ages, and the services required. I am flexible and can work with you to create a package that meets your needs and budget.”

Do you have any references?

The interviewer is asking for references to speak to the nanny's character and qualifications. It is important to have references who can attest to the nanny's experience, work ethic, and ability to care for children.

Example: “Yes, I do have references. I can provide you with a list of references upon request.”

How did you get interested in nannying?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. They could be trying to gauge your interest in the job, or they might be trying to get a sense of your experience with children. Either way, it is important to be honest and give a detailed answer.

If you are interested in the job, you should tell the interviewer about any experience you have with children, whether it is through babysitting, volunteering, or working in a daycare. If you have no experience with children, you can still express interest in the job and talk about why you think it would be a good fit for you.

It is also important to be honest if you have no interest in the job. The interviewer will likely be able to tell if you are not being sincere, and it will reflect poorly on you.

Example: “I got interested in nannying when I was younger and would often help my mom take care of my younger siblings. I enjoyed being around kids and helping them learn and grow, so when I was old enough, I decided to pursue a career as a nanny. I love working with kids and watching them develop and grow over time.”

Why do you want to be a nanny?

There are a few reasons an interviewer might ask this question. They could be trying to gauge your interest in the position, or they might want to know what qualities you have that would make you a good nanny. It's important to be honest in your answer and to give specific examples of why you would be a good fit for the job. For instance, you might say that you love working with children and enjoy seeing them learn and grow. You might also mention that you are patient and have a lot of experience caring for kids. Whatever your answer, be sure to show that you are truly interested in the position and would be a great asset to the family.

Example: “I love children and enjoy spending time with them. I find it very rewarding to help care for and nurture them as they grow and develop. As a nanny, I would have the opportunity to do this on a daily basis while also forming close bonds with the children in my care.”

What are your long-term goals?

Some parents may be looking for a nanny who is interested in staying with their family for a long time, so they want to know what the nanny's long-term goals are. It is important to know what the nanny's long-term goals are because it will give the parents an idea of how long the nanny plans on staying with their family.

Example: “My long-term goals are to continue working as a nanny and providing high-quality child care. I would also like to continue my education and eventually become a certified child care provider. I hope to one day open my own child care business that provides quality care for children of all ages.”

Do you have any questions for me or for us?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask if the nanny has any questions. First, it shows that the nanny is interested in the position and is willing to ask questions to learn more about it. Second, it gives the interviewer a chance to see how the nanny thinks and how she would handle being in charge of children. Finally, it allows the interviewer to get to know the nanny better and see if she would be a good fit for the family.

Example: “No, I don't have any questions for you.”