Nanny Interview Questions

Choosing the right nanny for your family is a big step. When you’re sitting across from a potential nanny at the interview stage, it’s normal to feel pressure to ask the “right” things. The truth is, this part doesn’t need to feel daunting. A little preparation goes a long way. Having a list of questions to hand can take the pressure off and help you focus on finding someone who fits your home, your values and your child’s everyday life.

At Nannies Matter, we’ve helped families across the Home Counties find nannies who don’t just fill a role, but become an important part of family life. This guide will help you shape your nanny interview questions around what really matters: your children, your household, and your peace of mind.

What are you looking for?

Before you gather a list of interview questions, it's worth taking a quiet moment to think about your family’s needs. What age group are your children? Are you looking for help with school runs and planning meals, or more developmental support through educational activities and structured play? Do you need a live-in nanny who will live at your property, or someone who will travel to your home?

You’ll also want to consider:

• Your parenting style.

• Your expectations around discipline.

• Whether you want your nanny to help with light cleaning or food preparation.

• Your child’s likes, dislikes and sensitivities: are they always outdoors? Will they need limitations establishing on how often they can play video games?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Getting a well-rounded idea of what a good nanny looks like to you is the first step to shaping interview questions that will give you a better understanding of whether they’re the right fit.

Helpful interview questions to ask a potential nanny

Here are some thoughtful nanny interview questions that can help open up calm, honest conversations:

Personal experience and background

• Can you tell me about your past jobs and how you got into nannying?

• What age groups do you feel most comfortable working with?

• Do you hold a clean UK driving license?

• What does a typical day look like in your current nanny role?

• What was your last job like, and why are you leaving your current position?

• Do you hold any current qualifications or childcare education certificates, such as an enhanced DBS check? Do you have current paediatric first aid training?

At Nannies Matter, all our nannies will come with these qualifications and we can filter candidates according to your requirements, to make sure all the candidates you interview meet your minimum needs.

Practical questions about the role

• Are you open to supporting with light cleaning, planning meals or evening babysitting?

• Are there any tasks or expectations you’d prefer to avoid?

• Do you feel comfortable supporting a crying baby, handling temper tantrums or supporting homework time?

• Would you be available to travel or stay overnight if needed occasionally?

Candidates put forward by Nannies Matter have flexible schedules and we offer nanny housekeepers and other household professionals with complementary skills, which enables them to meet various needs.

Situational and reflective questions

• What would you do if you noticed a child had lied, or if they refused to follow rules?

• How would you respond if the children wanted to spend the day watching television?

• Can you describe how you’d structure a day for a child aged [insert your child’s age]?

• Have you ever disagreed with a family’s parenting style? How did you handle it?

Motivation and long-term fit

• What made you interested in this childcare job?

• Do you have any other career aspirations over the next few years?

• How would you describe your nannying style?

• What are some of your favourite activities to do with children?

• What’s one of your favourite memories from a past role?

Logistical questions

• What is your notice period?

• What are your preferred working hours?

• Are you interviewing for any other jobs?

If there's a particular task you're unsure whether the candidate will enjoy or be suited for - like preparing weekly menus or supporting with outdoor activities - it’s okay to ask how they’d feel about it. You’re not just assessing capability, but whether the caregiving aligns with their energy and interests too.

Do qualifications matter?

There’s no legal requirement for a nanny to hold formal qualifications, but many do, and it can help you to assess a nanny candidate’s specific skills and experience. Nannies Matter will always match you with someone whose current qualifications are suitable for your family’s needs. Some families prefer someone with extensive childcare qualifications, while others place more value on warmth, life experience or how naturally a nanny connects with their child.

For more on what you can expect from a good nanny in terms of credentials, read our full post on qualifications for nannies.

The interview is just the start

Even with the best questions, choosing a nanny isn’t only about the answers. It's about how the person makes you feel. Do they seem genuinely interested in your child’s world? Can you imagine them showing up each day with warmth and professionalism?

You should arrange for your child to meet the potential nanny as part of the interview process. Seeing how they respond to your child (and vice versa) can often tell you more than any checklist. You might also want to give them a certain task to walk you through, such as how they’d handle pick-up and after-school care, to help you picture them in the role.

Ready to hire?

Asking the right interview questions gives you the best possible chance of finding someone who’s a good fit for your family, your children and your household rhythm.

If you're ready to take the next step, Nannies Matter is here to help. We’ll listen to your needs, arrange interviews with carefully matched candidates and guide you through every stage of the process. You can also read more about our recruitment process and see how we’ve supported families like yours on our testimonials page.

Call us today on 07736 337065 or fill out our online enquiry form to arrange a call back at your convenience.