Questions to Ask Nanny Reference
Essential questions to ask when checking references for a potential nanny to ensure you're making the right choice for your family.
1How long did the nanny work for your family?
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How long did the nanny work for your family?
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Why this works
Establishes the duration of employment and helps assess the nanny's commitment and stability.
2What were the nanny's main responsibilities in your household?
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What were the nanny's main responsibilities in your household?
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Why this works
Helps you understand the scope of work and whether it matches your family's needs.
3How did the nanny handle difficult situations or challenging behaviors?
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How did the nanny handle difficult situations or challenging behaviors?
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Why this works
Reveals the nanny's problem-solving skills and ability to manage stressful situations with children.
4What was the nanny's relationship like with your children?
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What was the nanny's relationship like with your children?
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Why this works
Provides insight into the nanny's ability to bond with children and create positive relationships.
5How reliable was the nanny in terms of punctuality and attendance?
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How reliable was the nanny in terms of punctuality and attendance?
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Why this works
Critical for understanding the nanny's dependability and impact on your daily schedule.
6Did the nanny follow your parenting rules and discipline methods?
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Did the nanny follow your parenting rules and discipline methods?
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Why this works
Ensures the nanny respected your family's values and parenting approach.
7How did the nanny communicate with you about your children's day?
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How did the nanny communicate with you about your children's day?
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Why this works
Reveals the nanny's communication style and whether they kept you informed about your children.
8What were the nanny's strengths and areas for improvement?
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What were the nanny's strengths and areas for improvement?
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Why this works
Provides balanced feedback about the nanny's capabilities and any areas that needed development.
9How did the nanny handle emergencies or unexpected situations?
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How did the nanny handle emergencies or unexpected situations?
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Why this works
Critical for understanding the nanny's ability to stay calm and make good decisions under pressure.
10Did the nanny respect your home and family privacy?
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Did the nanny respect your home and family privacy?
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Why this works
Ensures the nanny maintained appropriate boundaries and respected your family's privacy.
11What activities did the nanny do with your children?
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What activities did the nanny do with your children?
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Why this works
Reveals the nanny's creativity and ability to engage children in meaningful activities.
12How did the nanny handle conflicts between siblings or playmates?
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How did the nanny handle conflicts between siblings or playmates?
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Why this works
Shows the nanny's ability to manage social situations and teach conflict resolution.
13Did the nanny take initiative in planning activities or just follow instructions?
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Did the nanny take initiative in planning activities or just follow instructions?
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Why this works
Reveals the nanny's level of engagement and whether they actively contributed to your children's development.
14How did the nanny handle your children's dietary restrictions or preferences?
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How did the nanny handle your children's dietary restrictions or preferences?
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Why this works
Important for understanding the nanny's attention to detail and respect for your family's needs.
15What was the nanny's approach to screen time and technology use?
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What was the nanny's approach to screen time and technology use?
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Why this works
Ensures the nanny's approach to technology aligns with your family's values and rules.
16Did the nanny ever have to discipline your children and how did they handle it?
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Did the nanny ever have to discipline your children and how did they handle it?
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Why this works
Reveals the nanny's discipline style and whether it was consistent with your parenting approach.
17How did the nanny handle your children's emotional needs and meltdowns?
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How did the nanny handle your children's emotional needs and meltdowns?
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Why this works
Shows the nanny's emotional intelligence and ability to comfort and support children.
18What was the nanny's relationship like with other family members?
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What was the nanny's relationship like with other family members?
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Why this works
Helps you understand how the nanny interacted with your spouse, other children, or extended family.
19Would you hire this nanny again if you needed childcare?
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Would you hire this nanny again if you needed childcare?
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Why this works
The most direct question that reveals the family's overall satisfaction with the nanny's performance.
20Is there anything else I should know about the nanny's work with your family?
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Is there anything else I should know about the nanny's work with your family?
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Why this works
Allows the reference to share any additional important information you might not have thought to ask about.
Conducting Effective Nanny Reference Checks
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices for Reference Checks
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Use questions that require detailed answers rather than yes/no responses to get meaningful information.
Listen for Red Flags
Pay attention to hesitation, vague answers, or reluctance to provide specific examples.
Take Detailed Notes
Write down all responses to compare with other references and your own observations.
Reference Check Questions
Performance Questions
Reliability Questions
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Don't Rush the Process
Take time to ask all your questions and listen carefully to the responses.
Avoid Leading Questions
Ask neutral questions that allow the reference to provide honest, unbiased feedback.
Don't Ignore Red Flags
If a reference seems hesitant or gives vague answers, dig deeper or consider it a warning sign.