Nanny 101

Lesson 3: Getting the Job

Questions You Might Want to Ask

The interview is for, both, you and the family. You are testing them as much as they are testing you. It cannot be stated enough that asking questions is very important in the process. The nanny/family relationship is about finding good compatibility. You do not want to be surprised by something that did not come up in the interview.

On first contact with a family, make sure to get both parents' names, their home address, their phone number, their FAX number if not using an agency or the agency has not provided them with your portfolio, their e-mail address, and, if you are interviewing in person, driving directions to their home. Make sure and take all this information with you so that if you get lost or delayed on your way to the interview, you can stop and call them. Being late for an interview is NEVER OK! Your promptness is the first impression that they have of you and your professionalism.

While the interview process will most likely span over a few conversations and maybe meeting in person, there are some questions you should ask. Generally the interviews will start out broad and then focus in the closer you are to signing a contract. Make sure you touch upon each of the following issues:

Religion

You may interview with families who are of a different background than your own. While this might be perfectly okay with you, you should make sure that you are not going to be expected to do things outside of your comfort zone.

• Does your family have a religious affiliation I should know about?
• What is my role in fostering the religion of the children?

Hours

It is easy to assume that your hours will be from the time the parents leave in the morning until they return. This is not always the case. Some parents work from home while you watch the kids while others expect the nanny to stay on past the time they return in the evening.

• What will my hours be?
• Will they remain the same all the time?
• What will my child be doing on any given day?

Last Nanny

Asking to speak with the previous nanny is a reasonable request. By speaking with the former caregiver you can get a peers viewpoint of what living with the family will be like.

• Why did the last nanny leave and how long was she with you?
• Will I be able to speak to her?
• Was there anything the last nanny did that you would like the new nanny to avoid?

Being in Charge

Having authority is important. Children need to know who is in charge and who they are expected to listen to. The nanny should have a respected voice in the household so the children respect the boundaries he/she sets. If you have ever heard the phrase “You are not the boss of me” you know exactly how important being a respected voice in the household is.

• When I am working with the children will I be given sole charge?
• How much do the children do on their own?

Discipline

Not everyone feels comfortable disciplining children in all ways. Knowing what is expected of you if a disciplinary issue arises is important and will help you feel prepared to handle it.

• What are your views on discipline and punishment?
• What do you expect the nanny to do when the child misbehaves?
• Is spanking okay in your house? If so, is the nanny expected to do this?

Chores

Knowing what an average week has in store for you will help you decide if a household fits with your needs. In some homes the nanny does all of the house work while in others the nanny does none.

• Exactly what household chores will you want me to do?

Income

There are many components to your income apart from the weekly pay check. Usually your wage will be addressed early on in the interview but there is more to think about.

• What will my wages be?
• Will I get regular pay reviews?
• Can you confirm that you will pay my tax?
• Is there overtime pay? What is considered overtime?
• Apart from my salary, will you pay for gas/car insurance/health insurance/education?

Privacy

It is possible that a family plans on using video surveillance of the children and the nanny. This is something that might be uncomfortable to discuss but you must ask.

• Do you plan on using video camera’s to watch the nanny and or the children?
• Have you used camera’s in the past?

Socializing and Activities

The nanny will usually be expected to facilitate activities for the children in their care. This may include both play dates and organized activities. You may need to be comfortable interacting with other nannies and parents. This can mean carpooling duties, spending time with the parents of a friend while the children play, or even sitting on the sidelines of a soccer game.

• Do you have rules about the amount of socializing you want your children to do?
• Who sets up the activities for the children? Will I be permitted to decide on 'out of home' activities?
• Does the child /children already attend activities / classes / clubs?

Car

Most live-in nannies are given the use of a car for taking the children to activities, school, and on errands. Usually there is a car available for off time use, provided that the nanny meets the expectations of the family. This may mean not driving the car into urban areas or paying for the gas used.

• Will you be providing a car for use with the children?
• Will the insurance and tax, gas, parking, and so on be paid for?
• Will I be able to use this car in my free time? Are there any rules about this?

Activity Money

All expenses relating to the children should be the responsibility of the parents. In some cases you will be expected to use your own money and provide receipts while in others you may get a weekly allowance to spend on the children.

• How much spending money for the kids will be provided weekly? Will this include gas money?
• What are acceptable things to spend this money on?

Holidays

Being a household employee and getting holidays off does not always happen. Generally the holidays the parents have off from work are times when the nanny is off too. You may be expected to work certain holidays.

• How many paid holidays and bank holidays will I get every year?
• Will this be reviewed at any time?

Sick Pay

Most families will allow you to have paid sick time if need should arise. Many people who work with children catch illnesses that are going around the classroom or the playground.

• How many days paid sick leave am I allowed?
• Will I get full pay, and for how long?

Food

Part of being a live-in nanny is having your meals provided to you as part of your wages. What seems reasonable to you may not be for the family. In some cases you will be allowed to purchase foods you like on the family's dime while, in others, you will need to pay for extras out of pocket.

• What amount of food am I allowed to eat?
• Can I request foods from the store?
• Are there restrictions on my food intake?

Maternity Leave

Maternity leave is an issue only if your family is thinking of having more children. Being prepared for any situation that may arise is always a good practice and you would not want to start a job only to find out you will soon be caring for twins.

• Are you planning to have more children? If so what will happen when you're off on maternity leave? Will I be kept on?
• Will my wages change when you have additional children?

Dress Code

Virtually every job has some sort of a dress code. Usually this means wearing clothing that is appropriate for your duties. Most nannies are required to dress comfortably but also look groomed.

• Do you require me to dress a certain way?
• Are there any restrictions on dress?

Accommodation

A live-in nanny always has some sort of private quarters. This may be a separate apartment or a room in the house. You will need to think about the living space and if you will be comfortable with it. The family should make it clear to you and the children that the nanny’s space is private.

• If live-in, what is my accommodation like?
• Am I allowed to use the kitchen and bathroom facilities during my off duty hours?
• Can I use the washer and dryer?
• What happens when I am off duty and in my quarters?
• How is my privacy going to be respected?

Boyfriends and Friends

As a live-in nanny your home is shared with your employers. For that reason knowing what the rules are for guests is something you may want to find out in the interview process. Knowing if your boyfriend or friends are free to come over in your off time is important. Generally having significant others sleep over is not okay as you are also a role model for the children.

• Can my boyfriend and other friends visit me in my room during my time off?
• Is there a curfew for them?
• Are there any other rules for people who visit?
• Are my friends welcome to stop by while I am working?
• Do you have any rules for meeting them before hand?

Curfew

Curfew can be a hard topic to bring up. It is easy to think that, because you are an adult, you should be able to make choices about how you spend your time. While that is true, you also have to consider that you are living with people who entrust you with the care of their kids. Having a nanny who is a raging partier might not be desirable. After living with a family for a while and establishing trust, this is something you might be able to negotiate.

• If live-in would I have to be in by a certain time at night during weekdays and weekends?
• Is this negotiable at any time?

Contract

It is best to get all of the details of your employment in writing. If the family has a contract already written up, ask them to go over it will you. If you think something is missing, ask them to add it. You can also draft your own contract or addendum to cover some of the questions you’ve asked them. It is always best to get everything in writing in case there is a question in the future.

• If I get the job will I receive a full written contract?
• Can I add things to the contract?
• How long is the contract for?

  1  2  3  4  5