Interview Questions

Since my Childcare post earlier this week my DH and I have decided to prepare for the eventuality of needing help for his MIL while she watches our girls (and likely the other grandkids). We also thought it would be smart to get somebody on the back burner for wedding season, a reunion this summer, etc. We live in a college town and were thinking a student would be a good choice because they have pretty good schedule flexibility. Plus, for the reunion, we would want somebody we could bring with us to another town for an overnighter. Perhaps the same with wedding, as one is in a beach town near by.

Anyhow, we have a meeting with somebody tonight. She seems ideal so far. Twenty years old, has always done childcare and nannying since 13. She has already provided quite a few positive references, is up to date on CPR, first aid. PLUS, she's a distance ed student, so her schedule is wide open.

What questions would you ask of a potential sitter? We've thought of some that are twin specific (What do you do if they are both crying?) and general (What if they won't stop crying?) but could use some guidance, as we've still not encountered all the obstacles of twin parenting!

Thanks in advance!

Attaching a cute pic of my babies freaking out during an attempted photo session.

 

First I would ask for references! I would even ask and have them checked out if you can before she even comes. I did that with my doula before I even met her

 

I would ask her why she decided to do childcare, and what is her favourite/least favourite thing about it?
What does she think is the most important responsibility in the job?
What is the most challenging situation she has had to cope with in the past and how did she deal with it?
Has she ever had an emergency situation and, if so, how did she deal with that?
How would she deal with a child who was choking/burt themself/had a fever/had a rash? (Good way to check she's up to date on her first aid and would know how to respond to non-emergency illness too).
I'd also ask about the children she's looked after before, does she have experience with babies as young as yours and with caring for multiple children at one time?
What are her views on discipline? (I know your girls are too young to be disciplined now but if she ends up working for you long-term it will be relevant. It will also let you know if her attitude matches yours).
From her references I'd find out if she is punctual, how often she has taken sick days, and how much notice she gives when taking holiday leave.

I'd also make sure to discuss the shared care with your MIL (would MIL be 'in charge' with this woman just as an extra set of hands or would they be on equal footing?) and that there may be the older children around as well as your twins. Some more general points to consider/discuss are; would she do nursery duties? Can she drive the girls places? Can she use the phone/computer/watch the TV? How will she be paid (cash/cheque, daily/weekly/monthly)? Would she do evening babysitting?

If you like her tonight (and she likes you) then I'd ask her to come back for a second interview during the day so that you can see her interact with your girls. If possible I'd also invite your MIL to come over at the same time so that she can also meet this woman and they can find out if they'll get along.

Good Luck!

 

Twin Nanny has a lot of great questions! I would just add that I would also ask for a background check, and she should be fine with that given her line of work. I think it is like $30 or so and she just needs to sign a consent form.

ETA: The picture of your babies is precious! LOL Our photo shoots turn out like that a lot too

 

I will definitely be keeping track of your questions too. And your picture is adorable!!! :wub:

 

AWESOME questions! Thank you! We had our preliminary with her, and I really like her. After I run her background check (she OK'd it) and call her references, I will have her out next week for a day with me. My mother-in-law said that she would like to stop in one afternoon and "trade" with me so that she can interact with her as well. I think this decision is helping smooth over our issues with the MIL as well...

I read somewhere that in-home (at the sitter's home) childcare should cost 70-80% what a center would charge. In this case the sitter doesn't have a home (for this purpose, lol) and would be coming to ours. What rate do you think would be good/ fair? My girls will cost $800-900/month at the centers I had been calling. For the next months we'd pay at an hourly rate, but in August it would be weekly or monthly.

Thanks so much!!

 

I think a sitter that comes to your home charges more than a day care, or at least the same. After all they can't watch another kid for extra money like they could in their home, and they are driving to and from your house and making your life a lot easier. But it would also probably depend a lot on experience too. When I was looking for a baby sitter for our boys early on I posted an ad on Craigslist. I was mainly looking for an in-home sitter, but had a few people email me saying they could be a full-time nanny in our home (but not live here). And their prices ranged from very high ($10 per hour) to the absurd ($700 per week). Though I think they were college students used to northern Virginia prices, and people generally don't pay those prices down here in SW Virginia. Anyway, we lucked out because my mom wasn't working and she offered (begged really) to come to our home and watch the boys every day. We pay her what our cheapest day care place charges ($900/month), though most day cares around here charge $1200 - $1400 per month for two infants (ouch!).

Anyway, I hope this girl works out and that she is affordable!