Approach your nanny interview with the mindset that you are the individual conducting the interview (not the family whom is interviewing you).

Questions to Get the Family to Open Up

The following list of questions will help you to better evaluate each nanny job opportunity you find yourself interviewing for. Above all, take your time and ask questions that hold relevant meaning to you. In doing so, you will be able to better match-up with a family that will help you achieve happiness, meet your career goals and exceed your lifestyle expectations.

1. Can you tell me a little bit more about how a typical day or week goes around your home?
2. When do you usually head off to work and arrive home for the day?
3. Do the children participate in many after school activities?
4. Will I be in charge of driving the children to events after school and on the weekends?
5. How do you usually handle situations when one of your children falls ill?
6. Do you take the children to the school in the morning, or will that be my duty?
7. Will you have time and energy at day’s end to cook, or would you like my assistance in that area?
8. What sort of childcare tasks will I be performing on a daily basis?
9. Is there a chance you will have more children, or is this the end of the line?
10. Can you tell me a little bit about your personal childcare philosophies?
11. What measures do you take in terms of disciplining your children?
12. Do you have pets? Will I be asked to help care for your animals?
13. When can I expect to be on-duty and off-duty? Or, is every day a little bit different?
14. Will I be asked to navigate the children in the city and on the freeways?
15. Can you tell me a little bit about what your family likes to do together?
16. What sort of foods does your family enjoy? Do you have a favorite food at mealtime?
17. How about housecleaning? Will your nanny expected to handle light housekeeping duty?
18. What type of daily communication do you prefer? Will it be easier to reach you via phone or email?
19. What are your plans for the long term? Will you need my help for potentially longer than two years?
20. Can you describe a time when you were upset with a childcare provider and what steps were taken?
21. Why did you part with your former childcare giver?
22. Can you tell me about your favorite caregiver for your children? Why did you like her? 
23. Have you ever lived with a nanny in your home, before? Do you have any apprehensions?
24. Honestly, are any of your children particularly challenging, and how so?
25. When are you looking to hire your nanny of choice and when can she expect to begin working?
26. Are there any benefits you could possibly tell me about?
27. Do either you or your husband travel, frequently? 
28. What is an example of a typical day in your household?
29. Will breakfast and lunch preparation fall under my hat during the school year?
30. What are summers like at your home? Do you sign your children up for summer activities?
31. What else do I need to know about your family culture and environment?
32. What are some of your pet peeves when it comes to childcare?
33. Are there any characteristics you see as “must haves” when hiring a nanny?
34. Do you have a car for your nanny to use for transporting your children?
35. What sort of weekly salary are you considering for the nanny you hire?  
36. Do your children have particular hobbies or sports interests?
37. Do you consider your home an active household or a more laid-back environment?
38. What do you think might be the most challenging aspect of the job for the nanny you hire?
39. How regimented is your household? Are your children always on a strict schedule?
40. Are you most interested in having a nanny live in the house or do you prefer one who commutes

Getting Answers to Your Questions

As interviews go, naturally, the parents of the household will be asking the majority of the questions. Still, it’s just as important, if not more important, for you to know what you are getting into when considering the ultimate employment ramifications within each household. Understand that every single home is different and every parental unit will have a varied philosophy when it comes to childcare and child rearing.