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© 2006 Ginas Nannies
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Before the interview
Once you have told us that you would like to meet a candidate whose details we have given you, we will usually get the candidate to phone you to arrange an interview, although you are welcome to initiate contact yourself if you prefer. Chat to the candidate on the phone to get an idea of her personality and when you arrange the interview, ask her to bring along:- her CV
- any written references
- ID
- driving licence
- original certificates (if any)
At the interview
Think about asking the following questions (but don't feel you have to stick rigidly to the script - you will probably find that conversation flows quite naturally and you won't need to consult this list):- What does she like most about being a nanny?
- Are there any aspects of the job that she doesn't like?
- How did she get on with the children in her last job?
- What activities would she do with children aged x and y?
- What sort of meals would she prepare for them?
- What qualifications or experience does she have?
- Does she have a current first aid certificate? If not can she deal with a first aid emergency?
- What are her views on discipline and manners?
- How did she get on with the parents in her last job?
- Is her own social life important to her in her work?
- Does she have a particular nanny friend she is inseparable from? How old are the children that nanny looks after? Would they make suitable playmates for yours?
- How is her health? Any issues that might affect her work in any way?
- Is she generally clean and tidy around the house?
- What is she getting paid in her current job?
- Does her employer know she is looking for work?
- Why is her current job ending?
- What are her long term plans? You should be able to gauge whether being a nanny is her chosen career or a stop gap.
- Your views on discipline - would she feel happy following your procedures?
- Your views on television, videos, sweets and other "treats".
- Your requirements regarding activities - if it is important that your child continues to attend a particular playgroup for example.
- Your requirements regarding any additional duties (e.g. washing and ironing, occasional grocery shopping, running errands to dry cleaners / post office etc.).
If you are convinced that you have found Mary Poppins, feel free to offer her the job there and then, but most people prefer to sleep on it and/or to invite the candidate back for a second interview. If you are sure you would like to see her again, make the arrangement at the interview, so that she knows you want to take things further. It sometimes happens that during the busy parents' thinking process, a nanny can be offered another job which she accepts. If she knows you are interested and is interested herself as well, she will wait until you have made a decision.
Although we follow up references for each candidate, we recommend that you contact referees yourself for your own peace of mind. If there are any issues you would like us to discuss with the candidate, or if you have any further questions before deciding whether to see the candidate again, just let us know
The second interview
Many people like to invite their prospective nanny back for a second interview (although there is no rule saying you must), perhaps to meet the spouse and children. This can be a good opportunity to clarify the details of the children's daily routines and the nanny's duties, show her round the house, get to know her a little better and to watch how she interacts with the children. Some parents like to combine the second interview with a walk to the local park.After the interview(s)
We hope you will be delighted with the candidates we send you, and that you will want to offer the position to at least one of them, but if the first (or second or third…) candidate isn’t quite right for you, we will keep sending you other candidates. Listen to your intuition. All the qualifications and experience and references in the world can’t overcome a personality clash, or fundamentally different outlooks. Sometimes chatting things through with a third party can help – you know where we are.
New nanny starts work!
Once your chosen candidate has accepted the position, you should draw up a written contract (we can provide a draft, and will happily discuss it with you). Produce two copies, both of which should be signed by both nanny and parent, then keep one copy each.
Before your new nanny starts work, we will send you a Placement Pack, which deals in detail with issues like tax, holiday and sick pay, insurance etc, and also gives some tips on how to make the most of your nanny, how to keep her happy and motivated. Please let us know if the nanny needs to meet other nannies in the area, or if she would like some advice on local amenities and we can point her in the right direction.
Most parents like to have a handover period, which can be anything between a day and a month, where a parent (or current nanny) shows your new nanny the ropes so that both of you are relaxed and confident when the day comes for you to leave your children in her sole charge.
