Questions to Ask a Nanny or a Babysitter Prior to Hiring Them by:Doreen Lee

Your child deserves the best babysitter or nanny in your area to see to his needs

. And for your peace of mind, you need to hire somebody who is more than just appropriate for the job. This is why you spent so much time going over classified ad listings and nanny databases to find the perfect matches for your requirements. Now, you have managed to trim down your choices, you need to go and interview each applicant. This part is crucial because asking the right questions to your potential nanny or babysitter can help you make the right decisions.

Ask questions about the applicant's experience

One of the most important things that you want to ask your applicant is about her previous work experience. Request for details such as what her previous job required and what she liked and disliked about her former jobs. You want to find out more about her attitude towards her work and towards children so it's also a good idea to ask her about child-rearing philosophies that she believes in. At the very best, you want to have somebody who shares your beliefs in raising children. Give her situations about handling difficult behavior to find out how she would react given these hypothetical circumstances.

It's also important to inquire whether or not she still babysits for her former employers. Having repeat clients is an indication of good service, after all. It also means that the children she looked after like her as well.

Ask her about her background and why she went into childcare

People have different motivations for pursuing the careers they currently have. You want to know more about your potential nanny by asking her about her family, where she grew up and the kind of rearing that she experienced. Another basic question that every parent should ask is why the applicant chose this particular line of work. You're aiming for somebody whose answers indicate a love for children, at the least.

How she handles children

You want to find out more about her attitude towards children. Ask your applicant what she likes best about being in the company of children around the age of your own child. You can also inquire about favorite activities that she might want to do with children of this age. Children, as loveable as they are, can also be frustrating and they are bound to try your patience. You want to also ask your applicant about how she handles frustrations at work.

Learn more about her personality

You also want to learn more about the applicant as a person. For instance, you want to ask her to describe her temperament and how she thinks other people perceive her. Ask about what she does during her spare time and what she considers her weaknesses and strengths. It would also help to find out more about her interests and any special talents that she might have.

Finally, you want to ask your potential babysitter or nanny about job-related concerns such as if she can work late nights or weekend hours. You might also want to know how flexible her schedule is and other arrangements such as how she commutes to work.

These are just some of the many things that you may want to ask somebody who is interested in working for you. But more than the questions, you need to listen to the answers carefully to make sure that you're choosing the right person for the job.

About the author

Doreen Lee helps parents get instant access to thousands of qualified babysitters around their area by leading them to http://www.hireasitternow.com

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