How to Interview a Nanny: 15 Questions That Reveal Everything

A resume tells you where a nanny has worked. An interview tells you who they are. After two decades of placing childcare professionals, we know which questions actually predict success in a private household — and which ones everyone asks but nobody learns from.

Experience and judgment

• Tell me about the longest family you worked with — why did it end?
• Describe a medical emergency you handled. What exactly did you do?
• What would you do if my child refused to eat for an entire day?
• How do you handle a tantrum in a public place?
• What did a typical day look like in your last position?

Fit with your family

• How do you approach discipline — and how do you follow the parents' philosophy when it differs from yours?
• Are you comfortable traveling with the family, sometimes on short notice?
• How do you handle screen time?
• What role should parents play versus the nanny, in your view?
• What do you need from us to do your best work?

Professionalism and boundaries

• Have you ever signed an NDA? What does confidentiality mean to you in a private home?
• How do you handle it when you make a mistake?
• What would you do if you disagreed with a parenting decision in the moment?
• What are your expectations around schedule, overtime and time off?
• Why did you choose childcare as a career?

Red flags to watch for

• Speaking negatively about previous families — discretion is non-negotiable
• Vague answers about why positions ended
• No questions about your children — the best candidates interview you back
• Hesitation around reference checks or background verification

When you hire through Elite Swiss, every candidate has already passed our own multi-stage interviews, reference checks and background verification — so your interviews can focus on what only you can judge: the personal fit with your family. Tell us about your household, and we introduce you to candidates worth your time.