Nanny Interview Questions: How to Interview a Nanny and Find the Right Fit for Your Family
Hiring a nanny is about much more than reviewing a resume. The interview is your opportunity to understand how a candidate thinks, communicates, solves problems, and approaches childcare. While experience and qualifications are certainly important, the best nanny for your family is someone whose personality, values, and caregiving philosophy align with your own.
Many parents aren't sure what they should ask during a nanny interview. It's easy to cover the basics, but the most valuable conversations go much deeper. We've put together this guide for families who want to better understand what makes a successful nanny interview.
Start with the Big Picture
Rather than jumping straight into experience or logistics, begin with questions that allow the nanny to talk about themselves and why they chose this profession.
Professional nannies often have deeply personal reasons for choosing childcare as a career. Their answer can tell you a great deal about their personality, passion, and approach to working with children.
Consider starting with questions like:
Why do you love working with children?
What inspired you to become a nanny?
What do you enjoy most about your work?
What has been your favorite age group to care for, and why?
There are no "right" answers here. You're looking for authenticity and genuine enthusiasm for childcare.
Learn About Their Professional Experience
Once you've established a comfortable conversation, begin learning about the candidate's background.
Questions to consider include:
How long have you worked in childcare?
Tell me about your experience with children the same age as ours.
Have you cared for siblings or multiple children at once?
What types of activities do you enjoy planning for children?
Have you worked with stay-at-home parents or parents who work remotely?
Have you worked with families similar to ours?
Are you familiar with our neighborhood or nearby activities?
Instead of simply checking boxes, encourage candidates to tell stories. Their examples often reveal far more than short answers.
Understand Their Childcare Philosophy
Every nanny develops their own approach to caring for children. A great interview helps determine whether that philosophy complements your parenting style.
Ask questions such as:
What is your childcare philosophy?
How do you encourage learning through play?
What does a typical day with children look like?
How do you balance structured activities with free play?
How do you encourage independence?
How do you handle transitions between activities?
There isn't necessarily one correct philosophy. The purpose of these questions is to ensure compatibility between you and the nanny.
Talk About Discipline and Behavior
Every caregiver encounters challenging moments. The goal isn't to find someone who has never dealt with behavioral issues. Instead, you're looking for someone who responds thoughtfully, calmly, and consistently.
Questions may include:
How do you approach discipline?
How would you handle sibling disagreements?
What do you do when a child refuses to cooperate?
Tell me about a challenging behavior you've encountered and how you handled it.
Have you ever worked with parents whose parenting style differed from your own?
Listen for answers that emphasize communication, consistency, patience, and respect.
Ask About Infant Experience (If Applicable)
If you're hiring for an infant, newborn experience deserves its own conversation.
Topics to explore include:
Tell me about your experience caring for newborns.
Are you comfortable feeding breastmilk, formula, and eventually transitioning to solids?
Have you helped families through feeding challenges?
What is your experience with sleep training or sleep guidance?
How do you stay current on safe sleep recommendations?
How do you support first-time parents?
How do you comfort an inconsolable baby?
Are you familiar with developmental milestones during the first year?
Because infant care changes rapidly, these questions help determine whether a nanny's knowledge reflects current best practices.
Discuss Daily Responsibilities
It's important that both the family and nanny have the same expectations about the role. Topics to discuss include:
Are you comfortable driving children?
Are you willing to transport children to activities?
Are you comfortable preparing meals for children?
Are you willing to help with child-related laundry and tidying?
Are you comfortable helping with homework?
Would you be willing to travel with our family?
Are you comfortable caring for children when they're sick?
Are you comfortable administering medication with our guidance?
Do you anticipate any scheduling conflicts?
If our schedule changes occasionally, how flexible are you?
The goal is clarity—not negotiation. Everyone benefits when expectations are discussed early.
Learn About Communication
One of the most common reasons nanny placements struggle isn't childcare—it's communication. Ask questions like:
How have you communicated with previous families?
How often do you like to check in with parents?
Are you comfortable sending updates throughout the day?
How do you prefer to receive feedback?
How would you bring up a concern with parents?
Discover Their Personality
A nanny becomes part of your family's daily life. Learning who they are outside of work helps determine whether they'll naturally fit into your household.
Consider asking:
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
What are your hobbies?
Do you have any special skills you'd enjoy sharing with children?
Do you speak any additional languages?
Are there any allergies we should know about?
These questions often lead to the most enjoyable conversations during an interview.
Ask Behavioral Questions
Past experiences are often the best predictor of future performance. Rather than asking hypothetical questions, encourage candidates to describe real-life challenging situations.
For example:
Tell me about an emergency you experienced while caring for children.
Tell me about a disagreement with a previous employer and how you handled it.
Describe a time when you had to think quickly.
Tell me about a child who challenged you.
Describe a time when plans changed unexpectedly.
These conversations provide insight into how candidates solve problems under pressure. Ask clarifying questions if necessary to get specifics.
Remember That the Interview Goes Both Ways
A nanny interview shouldn't feel like an interrogation. Professional nannies are interviewing your family just as much as you're interviewing them.
Toward the end of the conversation, ask questions such as:
What does your ideal nanny position look like?
What qualities do you appreciate most in the families you work with?
Is there anything about our position you'd like us to clarify?
Do you have any questions for us?
Leaving plenty of time for the nanny's questions often leads to valuable conversations and demonstrates that you view the relationship as a professional partnership.
Trust Your Instincts
Experience, certifications, and references all matter—but so does your comfort level.
Your nanny will become an important part of your family's daily life. They'll celebrate milestones, comfort your children when they're upset, and represent your household while caring for your children in the community.
By approaching the interview as a genuine conversation rather than simply checking off a list of questions, you'll gain a much better sense of the candidate's professionalism, communication style, warmth, and overall compatibility.
Sometimes the right nanny isn't simply the most qualified candidate on paper—it's the person who feels like the right fit for your family.
How La Petite Agency Helps
At La Petite Agency, we lay the groundwork by sourcing exceptional, thoroughly vetted nanny candidates who are carefully matched to your family's needs. From there, we're here to be a trusted guide and sounding board throughout the interview and hiring process, helping you make a confident decision. If you're ready to find the right nanny for your family, we'd be honored to help.
