Babysitter questions interview: Interview Questions To Ask A Babysitter or Nanny

14 Babysitter Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

By ResumeCat Editorial Team
Updated June 7, 2023

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 babysitter interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.

• What are your qualifications for babysitting?
• What are your availability?
• What are your rates?
• What are your references?
• What are your policies for sick days, vacation days, etc.?
• What are your policies for disciplining children?
• What would you do in case of an emergency?
• What are your bedtime routines?
• What are your policies for dealing with bedwetting, tantrums, etc. ?
• What are your policies for screen time, internet usage, etc.?
• What are your policies for food and snacks?
• What are your first aid and CPR qualifications?
• What are your policies for dealing with allergies?
• Do you have any experience with special needs children?

What are your qualifications for babysitting?

The interviewer is trying to determine if the babysitter has the necessary qualifications to do the job. It is important to know if the babysitter has the proper qualifications because it will ensure that the children are being properly cared for.

Example: “I have over five years of experience babysitting children of all ages, from infants to toddlers to school-aged children. I am CPR and First Aid certified, and have a degree in Early Childhood Education. I am patient, reliable, and loving, and I will make sure your child is safe and happy while in my care.”

What are your availability?

The interviewer is asking the babysitter what their availability is to find out if they are able to work the hours that the family needs. It is important to know the babysitter’s availability so that the family can be sure that they will be able to care for their child when they need them.

Example: “I am available Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm.”

What are your rates?

An interviewer would ask “What are your rates?” to a babysitter in order to get an idea of how much the babysitter charges per hour. This is important because it allows the interviewer to determine whether or not the babysitter is within their budget.

Example: “My rates are very reasonable and depend on the number of children, their ages, and the length of time needed. Please contact me for a specific quote.”

What are your references?

The interviewer is trying to get a sense of the babysitter’s character and whether she would be a good fit for the family. It is important to have references who can speak to the babysitter’s work ethic and abilities.

Example: “My references are my previous employers. I can provide you with their contact information so you can get in touch with them to ask about my work ethic and childcare abilities. I am also happy to provide character references from people who know me well.”

What are your policies for sick days, vacation days, etc.?

The interviewer is trying to gauge whether the babysitter is reliable and will show up for work as scheduled. It is important to know the policies for sick days and vacation days so that the family can plan accordingly.

Example: “My policy for sick days is that if the child is sick, I will not come to work. I will also not come to work if I am sick. If the child is sick and I am unable to find a replacement, I will call the parents and let them know that I am not able to come to work. My policy for vacation days is that I will give the parents two weeks notice before I go on vacation. I will also try to find a replacement for myself while I am gone.”

What are your policies for disciplining children?

The interviewer is asking this question to get a sense of how the babysitter would handle disciplinary issues with the children under their care. It is important for the interviewer to know this because they want to make sure that the babysitter would be able to handle any disciplinary issues in a way that is consistent with the parents’ expectations.

Example: “My policies for disciplining children are based on the age, maturity, and behaviour of the child. I believe in using positive reinforcement as much as possible, such as praise, encouragement, and rewards for good behaviour. However, I also believe in using negative reinforcement when necessary, such as time-outs, verbal warnings, and removal of privileges. I always try to use the least amount of force necessary to achieve the desired result.”

What would you do in case of an emergency?

The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the babysitter’s ability to think and act quickly in case of an emergency. This is important because the safety of the children in the babysitter’s care is always the top priority.

Example: “If there was an emergency, I would first call 911. Then, I would comfort the child and try to keep them calm. I would also follow any instructions from the dispatcher.”

What are your bedtime routines?

The interviewer is trying to gauge whether the babysitter is someone who is able to stick to a set routine. This is important because having a set bedtime routine for children is often key in getting them to sleep through the night.

Example: “My bedtime routine is pretty simple. I usually take a shower and then brush my teeth. I then put on my pajamas and climb into bed. I read for a little while before turning off the light and going to sleep.”

What are your policies for dealing with bedwetting, tantrums, etc.?

The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the babysitter’s level of experience and expertise in dealing with common childhood behaviors. It is important to know how the babysitter will handle these situations in order to ensure that the children are being cared for in a safe and effective manner.

Example: “My policies for dealing with bedwetting, tantrums, etc. are as follows:

For bedwetting, I will work with the child to help them overcome it. I will talk to them about what may be causing it and help them to come up with a plan to overcome it. I will be supportive and understanding, and help them to feel comfortable and confident about overcoming this issue.

For tantrums, I will try to defuse the situation and help the child to calm down. I will talk to them about what is causing the tantrum and help them to find a way to express their feelings in a more positive way. I will also help them to understand that tantrums are not an effective way of getting what they want.”

What are your policies for screen time, internet usage, etc.?

The interviewer is asking about the babysitter’s policies for screen time and internet usage because it is important to know how the babysitter will manage these activities when caring for children. Screen time and internet usage can be a source of conflict for families, so it is important to know how the babysitter will handle these situations.

Example: “Our policy is that children under the age of 12 should not be allowed to use screens for more than two hours per day. For children over the age of 12, we believe that screen time should be limited to no more than four hours per day. We also believe that internet usage should be supervised at all times, and that parents should have the final say in what websites their children are allowed to visit.”

What are your policies for food and snacks?

The interviewer is likely asking this question to get a sense of the babysitter’s food policies to ensure they are aligned with the family’s own policies. It is important to know the babysitter’s food policies because it can impact the health and well-being of the children in their care. For example, if the babysitter does not allow any snacks, the children may become hungry and cranky. On the other hand, if the babysitter allows sugary snacks, the children may become hyperactive. Therefore, it is important for the interviewer to understand the babysitter’s food policies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children.

Example: “I believe that it is important to provide healthy food options for children. I always have a variety of healthy snacks available for children in my care. I also offer water and milk as drink options. If the parents request that their child have a specific snack or drink, I will of course accommodate this.”

What are your first aid and CPR qualifications?

There are a few reasons an interviewer might ask about first aid and CPR qualifications for a babysitter. One reason is that they want to be sure the babysitter is prepared to handle any minor injuries or health issues that may come up. Another reason is that they want to be sure the babysitter is prepared to handle a more serious emergency, such as a choking incident or a seizure. CPR training can be the difference between life and death in these situations, so it is important for babysitters to have this qualification.

Example: “I am certified in both first aid and CPR. I have my certification through the American Red Cross.”

What are your policies for dealing with allergies?

An interviewer might ask this question to a babysitter in order to get a sense of how the babysitter would deal with a situation in which a child under their care had an allergy. It is important for the interviewer to know how the babysitter would handle such a situation so that they can gauge whether or not the babysitter would be a good fit for the job.

Example: “I have a few policies for dealing with allergies that I think are important. First, I always make sure to ask the parents about any allergies their child has before I babysit. This way, I can be prepared and have any necessary medication on hand. Secondly, I always keep the child’s environment as clean as possible to minimize their exposure to allergens. Lastly, if the child does have a reaction, I am trained in CPR and first aid and will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure their safety.”

Do you have any experience with special needs children?

The interviewer is asking this question to find out if the babysitter has the necessary skills and experience to care for a child with special needs. This is important because children with special needs often require special care and attention.

Example: “Yes, I have experience with special needs children. I have worked as a babysitter for a family with a child who has autism for two years. I am also a certified special education teacher. In my experience, I have found that children with special needs require a lot of patience, understanding, and creativity. I am confident in my ability to provide the care and support that these children need.”

14 Must-Ask Questions for Your New Babysitter

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Interviewing for a new after-school sitter or nanny for the school year? It’s important to determine the right questions to ask to find the right fit for your family.  It has been said that finding a great babysitter is as much intuition as it is qualification. But whether you’re hiring a sitter for one Saturday night or a nanny for (hopefully) years to come, it’s important to have a detailed discussion about the care of your child.

Here is a handy list of key interview questions to ask that will make everyone – you, your sitter and your kids – feel more at ease!

1. What is your childcare background?

2. Do you have children of your own, nieces or nephews, godchildren, or young cousins?

3. Do you envision yourself doing this for a long period of time or just in the near future?

4. What do you think is the best form of discipline for a baby, toddler, grade-school child?

5. Do you believe tidying the house is part of your job?

6. How much do you charge and how does that relate to your experience?

7. Do you do overnights? How much do you charge for that?

8. Are you comfortable driving? Taking walks in the stroller? Going to the park, library, local cafe?

9. Do you have any current health issues that might prevent you from caring properly for my children?

10. Have you been formally trained in CPR?

11. Can you give me an example of an activity you might do with my children? (art project, hide and seek, board game, etc.)

12. Under what circumstances would you call me?

13. Under what circumstances would you call 911?

14. What do you expect from me as a parent?

About UrbanSitter:

Find child care that fits your schedule with UrbanSitter, an easy-to-use app and website that taps into your local community to connect you with sitters recommended by parents from your child’s school, mom and dad groups, and your neighborhood. Detailed profiles include reviews from parents, background checks, repeat family badges, and more.  Best of all, book jobs and interviews instantly, and pay with a tap!

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Babysitter Interview – Family & Kids – Home

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  Family and Children

• Nanny Interview

When hiring a nanny for a child, parents want to be sure that they will make the right choice, because they entrust the most precious thing to a stranger.

05 Jun 2023

Author:

Olesya Garanina

You have decided to go to work, and you are faced with a difficult task – to find a nanny for your baby. In order for the selected candidate to meet all your expectations, and you would be calm for the health and life of your child, leaving him with a stranger, you need to conduct an interview for the future nanny.

Together with your spouse, identify the qualities that your babysitter should have and create your own questions with your preferred answers based on them.

What could this list be?

If pedagogical education is fundamental for you, put it as the first item, if not, do not pay attention to it. For someone, the age of the nanny and the place of residence are important – closer to the family, for someone the absence of bad habits and their own children, so that the nanny does not ask for sick leave. First of all, you need to rely on your own preferences!

Olesya Garanina

educational psychologist

First of all, you should like the appearance of the nanny. As well as the timbre of the voice and the manner of communicating. If a person is unpleasant for you, it is worth talking with another candidate.

• The nanny should be a positive and optimistic person.

Ask her: in your opinion, why do children act up and cry? And why are they messing around? Why do they play pranks over food, spit porridge and do not want to eat at all?

A person who is unfriendly towards children will most likely answer that they are simply spoiled, they lack a firm hand, perhaps even punishments, there is no respect for parents. The nanny, in an indifferent mood, will say something like: well, it happens, it’s a common thing for children to indulge.

The most acceptable answer is to look for reasons: perhaps the child is tired or sick . Or maybe he didn’t get enough sleep or he just doesn’t like porridge?

• The nanny has to do two or three things at once.

Keeping track of a child is not easy, because at the same time you have to perform several actions – put away toys, cook something, read, take a walk.

Ask: when you cook dinner, do you do each dish in turn or several at once? A similar question may be about ironing clothes and watching a TV series. The main thing is to find out if a person is comfortable when doing several things at the same time.

• The person who will be with your child for several hours a day should be honest with you about falls and bruises.

And if such a nuisance, unfortunately, happens, he will tell about the incident. Unfortunately, no one is immune from mistakes. But it is very valuable when the nanny knows how to take responsibility for them.

Ask: did you have any mistakes/failures in your previous family? For what reason?

The ideal answer would be one in which nanny applicant will be honest about gaffes. It is hardly true to say that there have never been any misses.

• Your little one will feel comfortable or even happy to stay with a nanny.

Not the most successful criterion for evaluating a nanny is your child’s attitude towards her at the first meeting. A contact and sociable baby can easily sit in the arms of an unfamiliar adult. And the anxious one, or the one who needs a little more time to adapt to a new person, will not immediately go into his hands.

It is also important whether the nanny herself is determined to receive feedback from the child, even if it is still very small. Or is it simply important for her to formally fulfill her duties?

Ask: do you think you are a good babysitter? Do kids love you? How do you understand it?

It’s great if the answer contains words that reflect both the opinion of the parents themselves (“The parents praise me, ask me to extend the term of work”) and the attitude of the child (“The children trust me. They are happy when I come, and in the evening they ask to stay longer”) and objective signs (“I taught the child to use the potty. With me, he himself learned to dress, eat, read”).

• The nanny’s worldview and values ​​should match yours.

This is important, because while you are at work, it is she who will form an idea of ​​the world around your child. Of course, this formation will not be as significant as yours, but it will be.

Ask: to find out about the nanny’s attitude, ask her those questions, the answers to which you consider fundamental. Focus on your preferences. My acquaintances refused to recommend the nanny because she was watching a television program that they did not approve of.

• A nanny should come to your family with joy and do an interesting and favorite thing, and not babysit the baby from the impossibility of finding another job.

Ask: what attracts her in this particular job? Why did you choose her?

Well, if the answer lists the reasons why the nanny likes her work, the motivation is explained. Worse, if it’s just a forced measure or a way to earn money.

When interviewing, remember that Nothing is perfect in nature, and the nanny cannot be your exact copy. Focus on what really matters to you and your baby.

List of questions for the nanny, interview by phone

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People who are interested in your ad start calling you, ready to get a job as a nanny in your family. You need a list of questions that you will ask your interlocutors on the phone.
Think about what is most important to you, and ask this question first to immediately weed out those who obviously do not suit you. So what to ask? If you need a nanny to live in your area, ask where you live first. An important and first issue may also be the citizenship of the nanny, registration in your city, experience working with children of the appropriate age.

Sample list of questions for a telephone conversation with a nanny

1. What area do you live in?
2. Do you have experience with children 2 years old? If so, which one?
3. Do you have references from the families where you worked? Can you provide them?
4. Are you satisfied with our work schedule?
5. How much do you want to receive per hour, per month?
6. Can you work weekends sometimes?
7. Do you know how to cook baby food?
8. Are you sometimes ready to work in the presence of the child’s grandmother?
9. Can you start work soon?

The list is very approximate, your questions may vary. Order the questions, that is, first of all, ask about what is paramount to you, then questions in descending order of importance. When talking with each candidate, put pluses or minuses. If the answer to the first question does not suit you, end the conversation and say goodbye, do not waste either your own or someone else’s time. Do not forget to write down the coordinates of the nannies who have gained a lot of pluses in order to schedule a personal meeting later.