Questions to Ask References for Nanny
Important questions to ask when checking references for a nanny candidate to verify their experience, skills, and suitability for caring for your children.
1How long did the nanny work for you and in what capacity?
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How long did the nanny work for you and in what capacity?
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Why this works
Understanding their employment history helps you verify their experience and the nature of their responsibilities.
2What were the ages of your children when the nanny cared for them?
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What were the ages of your children when the nanny cared for them?
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Why this works
Learning about age experience helps you determine if they have relevant experience with your children's age group.
3How would you describe the nanny's caregiving skills?
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How would you describe the nanny's caregiving skills?
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Why this works
Understanding their caregiving abilities helps you assess their competence in childcare responsibilities.
4How did the nanny interact with your children?
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How did the nanny interact with your children?
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Why this works
Learning about interactions helps you understand their relationship-building skills and rapport with children.
5How did the nanny handle discipline and challenging behaviors?
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How did the nanny handle discipline and challenging behaviors?
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Why this works
Understanding their discipline approach helps you know if their methods align with your parenting philosophy.
6Was the nanny reliable and punctual?
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Was the nanny reliable and punctual?
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Why this works
Learning about reliability helps you assess their dependability and professionalism.
7How 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 communication skills helps you determine if they'll keep you well-informed about your children.
8What 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
Learning about activities helps you understand their creativity and engagement with children.
9How did the nanny handle emergencies or stressful situations?
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How did the nanny handle emergencies or stressful situations?
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Why this works
Understanding crisis management helps you assess their ability to stay calm and make good decisions under pressure.
10Did the nanny follow your instructions and household rules?
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Did the nanny follow your instructions and household rules?
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Why this works
Learning about rule-following helps you determine if they're respectful of parental authority and guidelines.
11What were the nanny's strengths in the role?
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What were the nanny's strengths in the role?
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Why this works
Understanding strengths helps you identify their best qualities and how they'll benefit your family.
12Were 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 weaknesses helps you understand their limitations and areas for development.
13How did the nanny handle household responsibilities?
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How did the nanny handle household responsibilities?
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Why this works
Understanding their approach to chores helps you assess their willingness to help beyond just childcare.
14Did your children form a good bond with the nanny?
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Did your children form a good bond with the nanny?
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Why this works
Learning about bonding helps you understand their ability to build trusting relationships with children.
15Why did the nanny's employment with you end?
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Why did the nanny's employment with you end?
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Why this works
Understanding departure reasons helps you identify any red flags or positive aspects of their transition.
16Would you rehire this nanny if you had the opportunity?
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Would you rehire this nanny if you had the opportunity?
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Why this works
Learning about rehire willingness gives you a clear indicator of their satisfaction with the nanny's work.
17Did the nanny show initiative and problem-solving skills?
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Did the nanny show initiative and problem-solving skills?
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Why this works
Understanding initiative helps you assess their ability to handle situations independently.
18How did the nanny handle technology and screen time with your children?
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How did the nanny handle technology and screen time with your children?
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Why this works
Learning about technology management helps you know if they'll follow your media usage guidelines.
19Were there any concerns about safety or judgment?
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Were there any concerns about safety or judgment?
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Why this works
Understanding safety concerns helps you identify any potential risks or issues with their caregiving.
20What advice would you give to a family considering hiring this nanny?
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What advice would you give to a family considering hiring this nanny?
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Why this works
Learning their advice helps you gain insights from their experience working with the nanny.
Checking Nanny References
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Effective Reference Checking
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Use questions that encourage detailed responses rather than simple yes/no answers to get meaningful insights.
Listen for Hesitation
Pay attention to pauses or vague answers that might indicate concerns they're not fully expressing.
Verify Key Information
Confirm important details like employment dates, responsibilities, and reasons for leaving.