Nanny Interview Questions: A Practical Guide for NZ Families

A useful interview begins with a clear job. If the hours, duties and employment expectations are vague, even a skilled candidate cannot give meaningful answers—and two candidates may think they are interviewing for different roles.

1. 1

   Create a role brief

   Write the children’s ages, exact hours, core duties, transport, pets, work location, specialist requirements, likely start date and proposed employment arrangement. Mark what is essential and what can be learned.
2. 2

   Use a short first call

   Confirm availability, location, broad experience, rate expectations and interest in the role. Explain the next stages so neither side spends time on a basic mismatch.
3. 3

   Hold a structured interview

   Ask every serious candidate the same core questions, then add age- and role-specific scenarios. Give enough time for follow-up questions and the candidate’s questions.
4. 4

   Verify, trial and decide

   Complete the relevant checks, contact nominated referees and arrange a paid trial. Compare evidence against your scorecard before making a written offer.

Send useful information in advance

Share a concise role summary without disclosing sensitive information about your child. Include age group, suburb, normal schedule, core childcare duties, transport needs, pets, whether a parent works from home, and any essential experience. Save detailed health plans, school information and home access details until you have a legitimate need and a secure way to share them.

“How many years have you been a nanny?” is only a starting point. Ask what the person actually did, who observed the work and what they learned. Recent experience with the right age group can matter more than a long but unrelated history.

Compare claims with the visible profile status and complete the steps in the NannyOra nanny vetting guide. Ask permission before contacting referees or checking information outside the application.

The best answers describe observation, age-appropriate expectations, respectful boundaries and communication with parents. Listen for a flexible approach rather than a one-size-fits-all philosophy.

• How do you learn a new child’s cues, temperament and routine?
• How would you plan a balanced day for a child of this age?
• How do you support play without directing every moment?
• Tell me about a transition—such as naps, toilet learning or starting school—that you helped a child through.
• How do you respond when a toddler hits, bites or refuses to leave the park?
• How do you handle different rules in different households?
• What is your approach to screens, food and treats when the family has clear guidance?
• How would you support homework while protecting downtime after school?
• How do you include children with sensory, communication or regulation differences?
• What information would you record or share at the end of a day?

Questions for newborn and infant care

• Tell me about your most recent newborn or infant role and exactly what you handled.
• How do you follow a family’s feeding plan while staying within your professional boundaries?
• What does safe sleep look like for every nap?
• How do you respond when a baby’s usual sleep or feeding pattern changes?
• Which signs would make you contact a parent, Healthline or emergency services?
• How do you record feeds, nappies, sleep and medication if medication is authorised?

Do not settle for “I would stay calm.” Ask candidates to talk through the sequence of actions, what they would do first, whom they would contact and what they would document.

A strong candidate knows the limit of their role. They should call 111 for an urgent medical emergency, follow the child’s authorised plan, inform parents promptly and record what happened. Use the full nanny safety guide to prepare your home and emergency handover.

Many nanny placements fail because the practical job was never discussed clearly. Be specific about child-related tasks, household boundaries, hours and how changes will be handled.

• Which duties do you see as normal child-related nanny work?
• Are you comfortable with the exact school, activity or appointment transport in this role?
• What is your understanding of light child-related tidying versus general housework?
• Which personal phone uses are reasonable while you are responsible for children?
• How should we communicate routine updates, minor concerns and urgent incidents?
• What do you need from parents to do your best work?
• Are you available for the guaranteed days and start and finish times?
• How should extra hours, cancellations, mileage and expenses be handled?
• What pay range and pay cycle are you seeking for the role described?
• What notice would you expect if the family’s schedule or employment needs changed?

If the match progresses, put the agreed details into a written nanny employment agreement and set up the appropriate payroll process before regular work starts.

Good scenarios have enough detail to require judgment but not one secret “correct” answer. Ask what the candidate would do, why, what could change the response and when they would involve you.

Do not score only how warm or polished the candidate seems. Warmth matters, but the purpose of the interview is to collect evidence about safe performance and a sustainable working relationship.

A simple five-part scorecard

Questions to avoid

Keep collection necessary and role-related. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner says recruitment information should be relevant, transparent and protected. Do not casually investigate social accounts, ask candidates for passwords, contact unnamed people without express consent or retain applications indefinitely. Review its New Zealand recruitment privacy guidance.

An interview shows how a candidate explains their approach. A paid trial shows how they enter the home, connect with your child, notice hazards, follow instructions and communicate in real time.

• Agree in writing on the date, start and finish time, pay rate and payment method.
• Define the childcare tasks and whether the parent remains present.
• Provide emergency contacts, allergies, health information and clear supervision boundaries.
• Observe without manufacturing stressful tests or expecting an instant bond.
• Notice whether the nanny follows the child’s cues, asks useful questions and handles uncertainty calmly.
• Debrief privately with the candidate and, in an age-appropriate way, your child.
• Record what the trial confirmed and what still needs verification before an offer.