Questions to Ask Nanny References
Essential questions to ask nanny references to verify qualifications, understand their experience, and 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
Understanding the duration of employment helps you assess their reliability and commitment to long-term positions.
2What ages of children did the nanny care for?
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What ages of children did the nanny care for?
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Why this works
Knowing their experience with different age groups helps you determine if they're suitable for your children's ages.
3What were the nanny's main responsibilities?
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What were the nanny's main responsibilities?
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Why this works
Understanding their duties helps you assess if their experience aligns with your family's needs and expectations.
4How did the nanny handle discipline and behavioral issues?
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How did the nanny handle discipline and behavioral issues?
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Why this works
Learning about their discipline approach helps you ensure their methods align with your parenting philosophy.
5What 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
Understanding their connection with children helps you assess their ability to bond and provide emotional support.
6How did the nanny handle emergencies or difficult situations?
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How did the nanny handle emergencies or difficult situations?
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Why this works
Learning about their crisis management helps you assess their ability to handle stressful situations calmly and effectively.
7What were the nanny's strengths?
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What were the nanny's strengths?
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Why this works
Understanding their strengths helps you identify what they excel at and how they can benefit your family.
8Were there any areas where the nanny could improve?
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Were there any areas where the nanny could improve?
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Why this works
Learning about areas for improvement helps you understand their limitations and whether they're acceptable for your family.
9How did the nanny communicate with you about your children?
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How did the nanny communicate with you about your children?
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Why this works
Understanding their communication style helps you assess if they'll keep you informed and involved in your children's care.
10What was the nanny's reliability like?
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What was the nanny's reliability like?
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Why this works
Learning about their punctuality and dependability helps you assess if they'll be reliable for your family's schedule.
11How did the nanny handle your family's rules and routines?
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How did the nanny handle your family's rules and routines?
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Why this works
Understanding their compliance helps you assess if they'll respect and follow your family's specific guidelines.
12What was the nanny's approach to education and learning?
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What was the nanny's approach to education and learning?
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Why this works
Learning about their educational philosophy helps you assess if they'll support your children's learning and development.
13How did the nanny handle conflicts or disagreements?
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How did the nanny handle conflicts or disagreements?
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Why this works
Understanding their conflict resolution helps you assess if they can handle difficult situations professionally and respectfully.
14What 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
Learning about their family dynamics helps you assess if they'll fit well with your entire family.
15How did the nanny handle your children's special needs or requirements?
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How did the nanny handle your children's special needs or requirements?
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Why this works
Understanding their special needs experience helps you assess if they can meet your children's specific requirements.
16What was the nanny's approach to safety and supervision?
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What was the nanny's approach to safety and supervision?
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Why this works
Learning about their safety practices helps you assess if they'll prioritize your children's safety and well-being.
17How did the nanny handle your children's emotional needs?
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How did the nanny handle your children's emotional needs?
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Why this works
Understanding their emotional support helps you assess if they can provide the care and comfort your children need.
18What was the nanny's approach to play and activities?
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What was the nanny's approach to play and activities?
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Why this works
Learning about their activity planning helps you assess if they'll provide engaging and appropriate activities for your children.
19How did the nanny handle your children's meals and nutrition?
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How did the nanny handle your children's meals and nutrition?
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Why this works
Understanding their nutrition approach helps you assess if they'll support your children's dietary needs and preferences.
20Would you hire this nanny again?
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Would you hire this nanny again?
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Why this works
Getting their overall recommendation helps you understand their satisfaction and whether they'd recommend the nanny to others.
Evaluating Nanny References
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Conducting Reference Checks
Ask Specific Questions
Focus on concrete examples and specific situations rather than general opinions to get meaningful insights.
Listen for Red Flags
Pay attention to hesitation, vague responses, or negative comments that might indicate problems.
Verify Information
Cross-reference information from multiple references to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Essential Areas to Cover
Professional Performance
Child Care Skills
Family Fit
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Don't Rely on a Single Reference
Get multiple references to ensure you have a complete picture of the nanny's performance and character.
Avoid Leading Questions
Ask open-ended questions that allow for honest responses rather than questions that suggest the answer you want.
Don't Ignore Red Flags
If references seem hesitant or provide vague responses, trust your instincts and look for other candidates.