Interview questions for a live-in nanny

Choosing to have a live-in nanny is one of the most important child care decisions you can make as a family, as you’re hiring someone whose role is going to extend far beyond taking the kids to soccer practice and heating up chicken nuggets for dinner. They’re also, as their title suggests, going to live with you.

“When considering a live-in nanny, you’re not only considering if this person is going to be a suitable child care provider for your children, but you’re considering if this person is going to be a suitable housemate for your family,” says Michelle LaRowe Conover, lead educator at Global Nanny Training. In other words: You need to make sure you mesh in every way possible.

While you certainly should cover typical babysitter interview questions when searching for the right person, you also should go a little further when interviewing potential live-in nannies. “When it comes to hiring a live-in nanny, you have to dig deep to determine if inviting this person to share your home 24/7 will be a blessing or a curse,” LaRowe says.

“When considering a live-in nanny, you’re not only considering if this person is going to be a suitable child care provider for your children, but you’re considering if this person is going to be a suitable housemate for your family.”
MICHELLE LAROWE CONOVER, LEAD EDUCATOR AT GLOBAL NANNY TRAINING

Want to make sure the live-in nanny you hire is unequivocally a blessing? Check out our list of questions that cover it all. Use them as a starting point and ask follow-up questions to help you get a sense of the candidate.

Training and experience

Experience is key when looking for a nanny who will live in your home. You want a caregiver who has a broad knowledge of child care and has taken emergency training courses to prepare for all situations. You should feel that your child is in good hands with their nanny.

How many years have you been a nanny?
Do you have references?
Can you explain one or two previous nanny-related work experiences?
Why are you leaving or why have you left your previous position?
Do you have emergency training in CPR and first aid?
Would you be willing to consent to a background check?
What other certifications or classes have you taken? (Keep an eye out from some of these nanny training courses and certifications.)

Read more: How much does a live-in nanny cost?

Child care philosophy

Your perfect nanny should see eye-to-eye with you and your child-rearing values and beliefs. A live-in caregiver will be spending lots of time with your child, so their philosophy on raising kids is very important, as they will be nurturing your child alongside you and the rest of your family.

What will my child be doing on any given day?
How do you discipline children? Give an example.
What would you do if my child fails to obey you when you ask something of them?
How would you handle fighting siblings?
How do you comfort children?
What is your view on nutrition for children?
How do you handle kids who are picky eaters?
How do you make sure kids get enough exercise?
What are your views on screen time?
Under what circumstances would you call a pediatrician or 911?

Logistics

Factors such as if a sitter is open to light cooking and cleaning are important to know before you decide if they are the right fit for your family. Get to know as much information about what your nanny is willing to provide, as well as their resources and future plans.

Are you open to cooking meals for kids?
What are some of your favorite recipes?
Could you help with some light housekeeping? How do you keep kids’ rooms tidy?
Do you have a well-functioning car with room for car seats?
How do you like to communicate with your employer about the child’s day? (daily log, text, call, etc.?)
What are your plans for the future?

Lifestyle

According to Elizabeth Malson, executive director of the U.S. Nanny Association, it’s important to consider how your family’s interests and lifestyle meshes with that of a potential live-in nanny’s. “Families should think about the types of activities they enjoy and how a live-in nanny would be integrated,” she says. “For instance, if you host a lot of social events in your home, will the nanny will be comfortable?”

“Families should think about the types of activities they enjoy and how a live-in nanny would be integrated.”
ELIZABETH MALSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, U.S. NANNY ASSOCIATION

While these types of questions are highly individualized, here are a few general questions that can help you get an idea of how your lifestyles will work together.

Can you share a time when you had to navigate a difficult social situation?
What type of things do you like to do on the weekend?
Do you smoke or drink?

LaRowe Conover also suggests getting a sense of their personal schedule and how it may affect your family. “While you want to avoid any potentially discriminating questions, you’ll want to learn what the candidate’s lifestyle habits are to determine if there are any major conflicts,” she explains. “For instance, if a potential nanny likes to get up at 4 a.m. to go for a jog before work, but no one in your family wakes up before 6 a.m. and you have an alarm system that dings anytime there is motion, will this be a deal breaker? Or is there a way around it?”

Additional considerations

Knowing what a potential live-in caregiver expects from you and your family is essential when developing a successful relationship, so be sure to find out what their priorities are and what you can do for your nanny.