The questions every parent should ask themselves

One of the most important parts of hiring a new babysitter is being able to interview them about their qualifications. The word “interview” may sound intimidating to some people, but in reality, an interview is your chance to get to know a potential sitter on a deeper level—to see what makes them tick, and most importantly, to determine if you want to open your home and expose your children to them.

While you may want to get to know a potential babysitter on a more personal level, you’ll also want to make sure you’re asking the right questions so you gather the information you need to make an informed decision about their babysitting skills. We asked two industry experts, The Babysitting Company founder Rachel Charlapsky and NannyTrack co-founder Leah Clarkson, to tell us key questions to ask a babysitter during an interview interview. Here’s what they said.

Essential Nanny Interview Questions

If you plan to hire a neighbor or someone referred by a friend, you probably won’t need to conduct as extensive an interview as you might with a stranger. But you’ll still want to ask some basic questions about their experience, talk about any details related to house rules or discipline, and review any information you need to know about your children and family.

You can ask a potential babysitter questions such as:

• How long have you been babysitting?
• Do you happen to be available on short notice?
• Do you have reliable transportation?
• Do you have experience in childcare [X] age?
• What activities do you like to do with the kids?
• How comfortable are you enforcing the house rules?
• How do you usually deal with behavior problems?
• It is [screen-free/sugar-free/dairy-free/pet-friendly/non-smoking/etc.] At home. Are you comfortable with this?

More in-depth nanny interview questions

If you’re talking to a candidate you’ve never met before, or someone you’re hoping to hire on a long-term basis, then you’ll probably need to conduct a more in-depth interview to really get to know them. In these cases, Clarkson says, have a list of things that are important to you and ask very specific questions about those things.

“You want someone who’s really great with kids, but you also want someone who’s also a good role model for them.”

RACHEL CHARLUPSKI, FOUNDER OF THE BABY WATCHING COMPANY

Learn about their childcare experience

In addition to the questions listed above, look for more detailed information about the nanny’s skills, experience, and what kind of job you’re looking for.

• What is your favorite thing about babysitting?
• What do you look for in an employer?
• What do you find most challenging about childcare?
• Have you taken childcare or safety courses? If so, can I see copies of your certificates?
• Would you like to undergo a background check??

Comply with obligations and expectations

Think about what a typical “shift” might look like for your babysitter and tailor these questions to the exact type of care your children need. Be sure to ask about special circumstances such as allergies, pets, special health needs and house rules.

• This job will require changing diapers. How comfortable are you with this?
• Would you like to prepare meals and snacks for my child?
• Are you ready to help with homework?
• How often do you rely on screens when caring for children?
• Do you have experience caring for children with allergies?
• Do you have experience caring for children with special needs?
• What would a typical day/evening/afternoon look like caring for my children?

Ask about safety

Make sure your potential babysitter knows how to ensure your child’s physical safety, especially if you have young children or the babysitter will be responsible for driving them around.

• Do you have safety training in CPR, First Aid or Water Safety? If so, can you provide your certificate?
• Are you aware of the current recommendations for safe sleep and SIDS prevention?
• Are you familiar with the foods that cause choking and how these foods should be prepared?
• Have you ever had to deal with an emergency while at work? What have you done?
• How long have you been driving and do you have a clean driving record?
• Are you comfortable using and installing car seats?

Give them scripts

If you still have questions about whether or not a potential babysitter is a good fit, try giving them scenarios and asking them to explain how they react to each situation.

• You put my child to sleep and you notice that he has a fever. What are you doing?
• The baby begins to suffocate while playing with toys. how do you react
• My child won’t stop crying for me after I leave. how do you answer
• The toddler explodes. What are you doing?
• The baby had a huge blowout in his diaper. How would you cope?

Red flags to note

The interview is an opportunity to get an overall feel for the nanny and to note any areas where they may not fit what you are looking for. Look for someone who:

• I forget about the interview.
• Does not return calls or emails to schedule interview on time.
• Showing up late.
• Talks negatively about past clients or children they cared for.
• He seems unwilling to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Appears distracted or unenthusiastic.

“You want someone who’s really great with kids, but you also want someone who’s also a good role model for them,” Charlupski says.