The Chrella Nanny Interview Guide
Ten questions every family should ask before hiring a Nanny. These are starting points — your follow-up questions, intuition, and reference calls are equally important. Take notes. Trust your gut.
Keep this guide open during your interview. Expand on any question that matters to your family.
Tell me about your experience with children. How many years have you worked as a Nanny and with what age groups?
Why this matters
Experience with the right age groups matters enormously — a Nanny who specializes in newborns may not be the best fit for an active 8-year-old.
Follow-up questions to consider
- ›What is your most memorable experience caring for a child?
- ›What age group do you find most rewarding, and why?
Can you provide 2–3 professional references from previous families you've worked with?
Why this matters
References are the single most reliable signal of a Nanny's reliability, professionalism, and character. Always call them.
Follow-up questions to consider
- ›How long did you work for each family?
- ›Why did your time with each family end?
What would you do if one of our children was injured while in your care?
Why this matters
This reveals their emergency preparedness, calm under pressure, and transparency — all non-negotiables.
Follow-up questions to consider
- ›Are you CPR and First Aid certified?
- ›Have you ever had to handle a medical emergency? What happened?
How do you handle a child who is having a tantrum or a behavioral issue?
Why this matters
This reveals their behavioral management approach and whether it aligns with your parenting philosophy.
Follow-up questions to consider
- ›Can you describe a specific challenging situation and how you handled it?
- ›What do you do when a child won't listen?
Are you comfortable with our schedule, and how flexible are you if plans change last minute?
Why this matters
Schedules shift in real family life. Understanding their flexibility upfront prevents resentment later.
Follow-up questions to consider
- ›What happens if we need you to stay late occasionally?
- ›Are you available on holidays or weekends?
What is your childcare philosophy? How do you approach learning and development?
Why this matters
A Nanny spends more waking hours with your children than almost anyone. Their approach to learning and play shapes your child's development.
Follow-up questions to consider
- ›How do you balance structured activities with free play?
- ›How do you handle screen time?
Have you completed a background check? Are you CPR and First Aid certified?
Why this matters
Safety credentials should be non-negotiable. On Chrella, a background-check badge means a Checkr check was completed; CPR and First Aid are listed as the Nanny states them, so ask to see the cards.
Follow-up questions to consider
- ›When were your certifications last renewed?
- ›Are you willing to complete a background check if you haven't already?
Do you have reliable transportation? How would you handle getting our children to and from activities?
Why this matters
Transportation logistics matter for school pickups, activities, and emergencies. Establish this clearly upfront.
Follow-up questions to consider
- ›Do you have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record?
- ›Are you comfortable driving our children in your vehicle or ours?
Do you have experience caring for children with special needs, specific dietary restrictions, or medical conditions?
Why this matters
Every family's needs are unique. This question surfaces any gaps in the Nanny's experience relevant to your specific situation.
Follow-up questions to consider
- ›Have you administered medications to a child in your care?
- ›Do you have experience with [specific need relevant to your family]?
What are your salary expectations and are you open to discussing a benefits package?
Why this matters
Compensation conversations should happen early, not after you've both invested significant time. Being direct is a kindness.
Follow-up questions to consider
- ›Are you looking for a W-2 arrangement or contract work?
- ›What benefits are most important to you?
After the interview
Always call references. Ask each reference: "Would you hire this Nanny again?" The hesitation before the answer tells you as much as the answer itself.
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